Why Business Owners Should Hire Math Graduates

The simple answer to why math graduates are good to hire is that they are excellent problem solvers.  Every math graduate has been tasked to solve hundreds if not thousands of problems that take a high level of thinking.  These problem solving skills can then be applied to almost any line of work.  There are many aspects of problem solving that a math student would need to acquire in order to get their degree.  The aspects that I will further discuss are persistence towards a solution, knowing when to try something else, using all tools given, and giving structure and clarity within the solution.
If someone with a math degree has ever faced a difficult math problem, then they most likely know the meaning of persistence.  Working at a single problem for hours on end can be something that isn't unusual when tasked with a difficult proof or problem.  I know that this has been the case in my experience.  Battling through frustration and growing certainty that there is no solution can easily become a familiar situation.  But, this presents even more satisfaction when the problem is finally solved.  Math majors, more than almost all other majors, must be able to overcome these difficulties with a steadfast perseverance that will greatly aid any business looking for employees.

Math graduates also learn when it is time to try a different method of problem solving as they work towards a solution.  When faced with a seemingly insurmountable mathematical task, a math student must not get stuck using one approach, or they may not be able to come to a resolution.  This is valuable in the business world because there are some workers who when faced with the same problem continually, cannot find a new way to attack the issue.  This should not be the case for a math graduate.

Math graduates must become experts at picking the right tool for each problem they face.  The structure of many math courses is to give students a set of tools for a certain set of problems.  Students then must be able to select the correct tool and know how to properly wield it in order to accomplish what needs to be done.  This is applicable to any job where the tasks are more than menial.

Anyone with a math degree should be experienced in creating a clear answer to the math problems that they are given.  It doesn't matter how well they can do the math if they cannot accurately and concisely represent the solution.  This can help someone in a job where they must present their ideas to groups or to a supervisor.  Whatever the math graduate would present would be exact, concise, and clear.

Even though these aspects of problem solving are thoroughly embedded in the mathematical world, I believe that most math graduates will be able to apply them quite easily as they enter the workforce.  This makes them incredibly valuable in jobs where problems are often needed to be resolved.


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Comments

  1. John GoldenDecember 2, 2017 at 6:37 PM

    Great topic and good points. I'd love to see the last point backed up with an example or idea. (Consolidation) Maybe because while people outside math think of it as one field, really you've had to learn whole new fields (geometry, algebra, ...) or an applied problem you did at some point. Also, I wonder about collaboration being a point, or communication.

    C's: 4/5

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