Mathematicians Have The Best Job In America
The Wall Street Journal covers a new study that determines the best and worst jobs in America using five criteria: environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands and stress. When all was said and done, all the data weighed and all the experts consulted, one occupation stood head and shoulders above the rest: mathematician. Yep, you read that correctly. Here's why it took the top spot:
According to the study, mathematicians fared best in part because they typically work in favorable conditions — indoors and in places free of toxic fumes or noise — unlike those toward the bottom of the list like sewage-plant operator, painter and bricklayer. They also aren't expected to do any heavy lifting, crawling or crouching — attributes associated with occupations such as firefighter, auto mechanic and plumber. The study also considers pay, which was determined by measuring each job's median income and growth potential. Mathematicians' annual income was pegged at $94,160.
And as if that wasn't enough — several of the other jobs at the top of the study's list are math-heavy including actuary, statistician, software engineer and computer-systems analyst. Guess we should have paid better attention in Algebra I.
In case you're wondering, jobs at the bottom of the list are lumberjack, dairy farmer, taxi driver, seaman, emergency medical technician and roofer. Hmmm. So we guess "he's a lumberjack and he's ok" wasn't exactly a truthful song. ;-)
Anyway, all this "what's the best/worst" job talk got us to thinking — what do you think makes a great job? Is it compensation, work environment, flexibility, challenge, sense of doing something worthwhile, or something else?
Doing the Math to Find the Good Jobs [Wall Street Journal]
— FREE MONEY FINANCE (Photo: foundphotoslj)
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Comments:
A "great job" is one where my interests align with my work, my abilities are not taxed by my workload, and I earn enough to pay the bills, invest, save, and spend on myself.
@firestarsolo: All I look for is a place where I can shut the door and rip farts all day. It is truly the small things in life that make it worth living.
@jdhuck: I hate the fact that I can sit alone all day without anyone bothering me, but the minute I let one go, somebody comes in needing something. It never fails!
Mathematicians have the best job?
Not if they have to spend their days working with differential equations and linear algebra, if my hazy memory of either subject serves me well!
I consider myself to have a great job because I get to exercise my passions, I solve problems, and I never do the same thing twice so I don't get bored. Its not hard for me to get out of bed in the morning and I don't dread going to work.
I'm a polymer chemist.
Looking at the list, "excitement" was definitely not one of the criteria.
This seems skewed. Back when I was in college math majors were struggling to find jobs after graduating. I think there are only a handful of high-paying math major jobs out there and a bunch of math majors that found work in other areas.
@rpm773: But they get to run around town in their Mathematician cars and help solve math related crimes, too. Don't forget that part!
I have a BA in math and I'm not sure how one gets a job as a mathematician. It's kind of vague. I don't think any of the jobs I applied for were titled just mathematician. Who pays people to just do math? Do they mean college professor who also does research?
The idea that math is boring is a falsehood held only by people who don't really get math. Using math to unveil the secrets of nature or to craft new technology is the most fun one can have with one's pants on.
@rpm773: differential equations and linear algebra are basically parts of mathematics designed for computers to solve. they just teach you that in school so that you'll have some idea of what the computer is doing, and maybe how to set up the solver so that it doesn't give you a bad result (correct type of integrator, proper integration step, etc...)
Mathematicians may have an easy job, but the job prospects suck. My brother graduated with a Honors Degree in Math and couldn't find a job in his field for four years. He's working as a security guard while he goes back for a second degree.
For me (and probably most people), it's a combination of things.
I left a job as a consultant/field tech to work as IT support for non-profit charter school. I took a pay-cut to do it, and was happy to. I hated my old job. Of course, if it was too much of a pay cut (which, in fact, their first offer would have been), obviously I couldn't have made that choice.
But I ended up working at a place where I enjoy where I'm at and the people I work with. And, there's a huge sense of accomplishment (something no job I've ever had gave me) in being part of a system that's giving under-privileged city kids a good education that would otherwise be unavailable to them. I've even started teaching a guitar class after school!
@MaytagRepairman: just because there aren't very many jobs directly in mathematics doesn't mean that the jobs that are there aren't awesome for the people who have them.
@Oranges w/ Cheese: "The story you're about to see is a fib, but it's short. The names are made up but the problems are real."
So the best jobs are at universities where you teach a few basic classes, get job security after a few years, and play 8 rounds of golf every week? Who'da thunk it?
I have a good friend almost finished with his PhD in math and those are pretty specific to his reasons.
I can't wait until the pendulum swings and they start rewarding those who paid attention in grammar class.
Alternate text:
"...one occupation stood head and shoulders above the rest: mathematician. Yep, you read that correctly. Here's why it took the top spot:"
Mathemeticians organized and performed the study.
I like my job, as a program manager for a defense contractor, because I work 40 hours a week and never have to take work home with me. Knowing that I never, and I mean never, have to work more than 40 hours has allowed me to pursue hobbies and a graduate degree in the evenings. Also, while the rest of the economy is sluggish, defense is doing fine and most of our contracts extend 6 years out, so the security is nice.
The thing is, the lumberjack is only okay. Whereas we nerds are awesome.
I also feel something is missing, but "excitement" is kind of hard to quantify. Average reported job satisfaction, maybe? Are mathematicians really happy with their jobs, or am I better off sticking with the degree I've got?
...Oh, wait: I live in Michigan. I know that answer.
@all:
LOLOLOLpfffft
@Magspie:
Trying to get a job as a "mathematician" is kinda like trying to go into "computers". There's a ton of actual jobs that all revolve around math: actuary, statistician, analysis. The list goes on.
Agreed. $380k a year (league minimum) for about an hours worth of work 4 days a week for 6 months works out to about $3600 per hour. A little hard on the knees but I would take it. Oh, and you retire by 40!
Woohoo!! Software Engineers FTW!
(note: a software engineer is very different than a software programmer...)
As a successful software architect myself I'd hardly consider myself a mathematician or this a mathematical job. I'm laughably bad at math, but a rock solid engineer. There is no denying that math skills help with engineering but they are far from necessary these days. Good analytical skills are much greater assets in my opinion. But hey, call me a mathematician if you'd like, it's a title I'd be honored to have.
And they get all the chicks!! Or dudes for all you female mathematicians out there.
My criteria for a good job? A sense of fulfillment from the work that I do, respect from colleagues, and ample time (evenings, weekends, vacations) allowed to purse outside interests.
#193 Roustabout. The definition is awful, but the name sounds awesome.
"So what do you do for a living?"
"I'm a Roustabout"
"Sounds intriguing, please tell me more."
@HIV 2 Elway Resurrected: I'd say being a HOF QB's backup is pretty sweet. They make more money, play fewer games, travel less and since you can assume the team is pretty good, they only have to play garbage time.
And everyone loves the spunky backup in pre-season when he always looks like a star.
My goodness, do you mean all those cool kids who blew off math are in jobs that aren't great while I skipped all that stuff and work with computers in "places free of toxic fumes or noise" -- I feel vindicated.
@HIV 2 Elway Resurrected: Project manager is almost always the job that means long hours and taking work home with you. Is it a government-contract thing that allows you not to?
Mathematicians were in big demand on wall st. for many years.Their main function was to design derrivative contracts using mainly calculus.
I don't have a very good understanding of it,but I think that was the goal....nobody can figure them out.Warren Buffet called them weapons of mass financial destruction.Anyway,these guys were making big money...
@Jubilance22: Is that similar to a materials scientist? Cuz I know a few of them and they sure do love their jobs. It's kinda cute how they get all excited talking about it.
@SF_iris: OMG, I'd been wondering on and off what the name of that was. Couldn't even remember what the main show was, just what happenned in it. I'll have to go find some episodes of Square One now that I know what it's called.
After almost 10 years at desk jobs, some of those "Worst Jobs" sound pretty awesome to me (barring any mutilation or death). Every day when I get home, I'm jumping out of my skin with restlessness. I'd love a more active job.
@unobservant: Good grammer is never rewarded. Poor grammar is punished.
The closest profession would be a contract lawyer.
@Magspie: I think it's given you do not get a job as a mathematician with a BA. You would need a B.S./B.A. or Phd.
It's like that for many scientific fields.
Best job ever...bullpen catcher.