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If you're smart enough to get a masters in math, you have far more options than being a high school teacher (not that there's anything wrong with being a high school teacher). Math is one of the hardest degrees you can get at the undergraduate level. Many companies and grad schools look for math majors simply because they're really smart. Nowadays, many people in banking and law have undergraduate math degrees.
I know, most of my fellow classmates have suggested I dual major instead. It is tempting but I wonder if I could handle that much classwork. I would have to sit and study almost 24/7 Non the less, I will be meeting with my counselor today to discuss this and it is not to late to dual major if I want to but I will be 26 instead of 24 when I exit school
...Nowadays, many people in banking and law have undergraduate math degrees.
^^^ +1 ^^^
I'd suggest keeping your career options more open by including at least some science & engineering. Just one anecdote: a friend who was a math major, worked for a tech company, decided (in her 40s) to go back & take college level physics & a few other courses so she could go to law school and qualify to take the national patent bar to become a patent attorney (there are some undergraduate science prereqs to sit for the patent bar).
the point is you may change your mind about careers.
Already in my Freshman year of school and have changed my major from Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Accounting and now the arrow points to Mathematics. My plan is now to get a BS in Mathematics with a minor in Education so that I can teach at the High School level and then work on getting my Masters in Mathematics as well. Any advice on this? Good or Bad or Crazy
Have you declared all these majors or changed your mind on them? Nothing wrong with teaching but a degree in pure math is pretty esoteric and similar to a degree in philosophy. If you want a good back up engineering with a math (or ed depending on your states requirements) gives a lot of back up plans. No offense, but if you've changed your mind three times by Nov what is it about teaching that you think you'll be well suited for and do you think that you're probably gonna change your mind again? I'm assuming that you haven't taken any upper level classes in any of these fields so really knowing what you're getting into at this point is pretty tough.
I know this thread is about a month old now, but I think I'll post (my first post) in order to help individuals who are interested in majoring in math. In my experience (and from other math majors I've talked too) Math can be a hard degree to obtain a job with right out of college, in uncertain economic times; aka right now. Getting your teaching credential is surely a good idea as it opens up the possibility of working at a high school without a graduate degree.
IMPORTANT PART: If your not planning on going to graduate school, I would STRONGLY SUGGEST double majoring even though it will take maybe an extra year. Coupling a math degree, with say a degree in engineering, computer science, natural science, or what I call money science (economics/finance/accounting) will drastically increase job possibilities once you graduate.
I know this thread is about a month old now, but I think I'll post (my first post) in order to help individuals who are interested in majoring in math. In my experience (and from other math majors I've talked too) Math can be a hard degree to obtain a job with right out of college, in uncertain economic times; aka right now. Getting your teaching credential is surely a good idea as it opens up the possibility of working at a high school without a graduate degree.
IMPORTANT PART: If your not planning on going to graduate school, I would STRONGLY SUGGEST double majoring even though it will take maybe an extra year. Coupling a math degree, with say a degree in engineering, computer science, natural science, or what I call money science (economics/finance/accounting) will drastically increase job possibilities once you graduate.
Agreed. Pure math is a philosophy degree, but much more difficult. Degrees emphasizing applied math are much easier to find work in.
Teaching mathematics requires passion for teaching. If you love mathematics and believe that everyone can learn math, I think that you will be a great maths teacher. It is common knowledge that teachers are underpaid and overworked but, who isn't these days?
The fact that you have changed you major twice and have settled on maths means that you might just be where you are meant to be. It is also advisable to take education classes like classroom management and how student learn.
Well I decided to dual major in Computer Science and Mathematics I will also be taking all four Japanese classes offered at my school since I also have a desire to teach English in Japan. From what I can tell only a BA degree is needed in any field and no experience is required (unlike here in the USA lol) Pay is a lot less than here in the USA since my mother started teaching Elementary School and makes 42K while the min pay for English teachers is in the 30K range over there starting out. Also unlike here in America I would have to work 6 days a week since in Japan students go to school Monday - Saturday
Would be fun to learn a new culture and language as well but who knows five years from now if I still have the same flame in my eyes after I've spent some time in class
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