If you are someone who, rather than majoring in English literature and English language at high school, college or university, was always far more adept in the field of mathematics, then you may well be satisfied to apply your skills with numbers in a personal context alone.
However, if your interest and passion for numbers go beyond this, then you may well be ideally suited for a professional career dedicated to financial and accounting matters. So, with this in mind, continue reading to learn about the top six career pathways which involve working with numbers.
1. Biomedical Engineer
A fascinating and highly specialized career pathway that not only involves working with numbers but is entirely based on numbers is that of a biomedical engineer.
Essentially, biomedical engineers work in the crossover fields of science and engineering and deal with developing and indeed designing both hardware and software solutions to be used in the medical world.
The main duties and responsibilities of a biomedical engineer include, but are not limited to, the following:
- • The preparation of recommendation reports which have their roots derived from scientific research
- • The training of other healthcare and medical professionals on how to use medical equipment and software packages
- • The inspection and maintenance of all medical equipment on the premises on a consistent and thorough basis
- • The presentation of all relevant findings from research conducted to stakeholders and other senior professionals in the medical industry
- • The installation of innovative medical equipment in a wide range of different medical institutions
2. Physicist
Physicists are specially trained scientists who explore and engage in thorough research into the natural laws which control the environment and everyone in it.
A professional physicist has to have an extremely detailed and wide-ranging knowledge of the application of physics and mathematic formulas, and often, notable physicists who excel in their field are responsible for the most impressive and innovative discoveries and inventions.
The role of a physicist is an intense one and often involves the following duties, to name just a few:
- • The planning and practical conducting of various specially designed scientific experiments with a view to testing their theories
- • Writing and editing both applications and proposals for funding research
- • The presentation of their findings garnered from their research to other scientists
- • Writing intensely detailed and important papers
- • The development of innovative equipment such as computer software applications and scientific technologies and equipment to both model and evaluate information
3. Statistician
Another career pathway that involves working with numbers and mathematic formulas each and every day is that of a professional statistician.
Statisticians use quantitive data, amongst other sources of information, to improve the competitive nature of a business, as well as provide tangible research findings to help grow and expand the company,
A typical day in the working life of a statistician generally includes:
- • The presentation of statistical research findings to senior department heads and other managers in a variety of forms, including tables, graphs, charts, and executive summaries
- • The interpretation, description, and summary of research findings in comprehensive conclusions
- • Regularly performing tests to ensure the accuracy and reliability of results and findings from said research
- • Checking on data integrity by consistently validating and error checking
- • The creation and subsequent maintenance of a number of databases using SPSS, Stata, SAS, and other software programs specifically designed for statisticians
4. Computer Research Scientist
Computer research scientists combine information technology with science to study how instructions and data are communicated, processed, and stored by computers and computing software programs.
Computer scientists essentially are the ones to thank for a myriad of modern-day conveniences, from smaller devices and technologies such as smartphones and tablets to large and expensive systems such as airplanes and even rocket ships.
A career as a computer research scientist most likely involves the following duties:
- • Always striving to improve existing computer software programs and computing systems in terms of overall performance
- • Conceptualizing both mathematical and computational challenges and problems
- • The development of new computing techniques and hardware
- • Working together with other IT and scientific professionals, such as software engineers and programmers, to create innovative products
- • Conducting extensive research projects
5. Accountant
One fairly obvious career pathway which is focused and centered around working with numbers every single day is that of a qualified accountant.
Almost every single business, regardless of size, scope, or indeed the industry in which they operate, employs a business accountant to provide extensive and detailed financial advice, to manage all processes and procedures associated with accounting, and to audit their accounts every year. As an accountant deals with most, indeed nearly all, of the different departments within a company, should you want to pursue a career in this field, it is strongly advisable to embark upon an MSc Finance and Management or a similar degree program.
Typical roles and responsibilities of a qualified accountant include:
- • Managing other people associated with the finance and accounting department
- • The analysis of various business plans and proposed changes to procedures
- • The writing and presenting of budgets, commentaries, reports, financial statements, and business plans
- • Being responsible for dealing with situations related to insolvency
- • Risk analysis and financial forecasting
6. Maths Teacher
Finally, but absolutely a credible and intensely rewarding career pathway, the last most high-profile job working with numbers is that of a mathematics teacher, at either a high school, college, or even at a university.
Not only do prospective maths teachers need to be incredibly skilled and more than proficient at mathematics and all-related fields of study, but they also need to possess a detailed understanding of a wide variety of teaching practices.
As a maths teacher, regardless of the particular academic institution you work in, you will be responsible for:
- • Sourcing supplies and resources for lessons
- • Reporting and documenting individual student progress
- • Attending committee, union, staff, and parent meetings
- • Invigilating final examinations and coursework
- • Grading a wide plethora of different mathematical assignments
- • Ensuring that the classrooms are always suitable for students and ready to go
