Science Kings
Go anywhere with a degree in mathematics or physics!

By The Career Choices Team
As we move into class XI, there’s a sense of having grown up. No longer do we have to study every subject, but instead, we get to choose a speciality. In a sense, class XI is the start of a new, adult phase of life for us. College is just around the corner, and being a working professional is not too far away either! And nowhere is this sense of being grown up reiterated than when hit by the complexity of high school mathematics! Yes, for most students, high school math is one of the hardest subjects. A subject that has to be tolerated, studied, and perhaps worked at - simply because one has to. But there are also many of us for whom this is a joy - those who just don’t fear the indefinite integral but rather find its complexities interesting and even fun!

For science students (or rather, for anyone who has mathematics as a subject at the 10+2 level), mathematics is considered to be an auxiliary subject. While it’s certainly important enough - it is 'scoring' and your results affect your college admission prospects (especially for prospective engineers) - it’s never considered a worthwhile subject in its own right. But why is that? Why don’t we think about mathematics or physics as a worthy college-level subject?

REWARDS GALORE
Very few people opt in for ‘pure-science’ degrees such as a BSc. Most science students have their heart set towards becoming either a doctor or an engineer. For some, a BCA or BSc(IT) becomes a back-up plan. Others still look at the BA (Eco) degree is a worthwhile choice. But there are very few students who’d make a BSc (Mathematics) or BSc (Physics) course their first choice during college admissions. A lot of students who go in for a science degree see it as their last option. Common complaints are about having to go in for a postgraduate degree almost by default, a lack of facilities at colleges, and of course, the perceived lack of prestige associated with pure science degrees.

Well, all this is no longer valid. Most good universities and colleges now offer excellent facilities for science courses, while bright students are now opting for BSc degrees due to the future scope. Yes, that’s right. There’s plenty of scope for you if you go in for an undergraduate degree in science - such as a BSc in physics or mathematics. Read on and you’ll see how a three-year BSc in physics of mathematics can prepare you for a diverse set of careers.

NUMBERS GAME
Perhaps the main reason why students don’t go in for a pure science course such as Mathematics (apart from the fact that math can be a ‘love-it’ or ‘hate-it’ subject) is that to them, these (at first glance) seem to offer fewer career options. Our mindset says that enrolling in a professional course such as engineering or medicine guarantees us a good career, while a pure science course relegates us to a world of low-paid jobs in research and academics.

However, nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is that a pure science course makes for a fantastic platform that can launch your career in your preferred direction.

Since we’re looking at the BSc (Mathematics) course, let’s just examine a few of the career paths open to you:

• Mathematician: You can study further and specialise in mathematics itself. Don’t discount this option as being ‘boring’ or ‘restrictive’. Most science and engineering companies - from pharma majors to smartphone and LCD manufacturers - utilise the services of mathematicians who play an important role in research and development of new technologies and products. Financial and investment firms also hire mathematics graduates as analysts
• Statistician: You can study statistics at the postgraduate level. This can lead to jobs as a statistician in the government or the private sector - Most large organisations and corporations make use of statisticians in departments such as market research, finance, etc.
• IT: It’s also possible to study related courses such as computer science and MCA at the postgraduate level. Course entry requirements vary across institutes so you’ll have to be on the look out! This is a great option for mathematics graduates as computer science is very heavily math-based.
• Some universities will also accept mathematics graduates to select postgraduate physics courses. A combination of math + physics will make you irresistible to technology companies! Again, different universities have different admission policies.
• An MBA in Finance makes for a great postgraduate study option

Looking at the above, it’s clear that studying mathematics is not such a dead end as many make it out to be. In fact, math is a skill that virtually every field makes use of - your undergraduate degree can get you a firm base before you specialise at the postgraduate level!

PHYSICAL EFFORT
Another of the pure science courses that is often disregarded is the BSc (Physics). Again, for many students, physics, being a pure science course, ranks as the last option. This is a mistake! Just like a BSc (Mathematics), a degree in physics opens the doors to the world of technology. You can either choose to study further and specialise in different sub-areas of physics, or you can even opt for engineering courses at the postgraduate level. (This option is found in several Western universities) But even studying physics at the postgraduate or doctoral level can be very rewarding - technology companies will be on the lookout for your specialised knowledge that comes in handy for developing new tech, while investment banks will want to tap your mathematical skills!

According to physics graduate Matthew Philip, physics was his first choice. “I was always good in science and as my parents are both researchers at a central university, I was guided towards studying for a science degree.” He goes on to say that the decision has worthwhile. “I completed my Bachelors and then went to the UK for a Masters. Even as I was doing my Masters’ thesis, I was offered a job by a large technology company that had operations on my campus. I joined them as a researcher and in less than 5 years, am also running a few projects. My employers are also willing to pay for my PhD if I want to study further!” he adds. He goes on to reveal how many of his former classmates are also working with banks and consultancy firms. Yes, the scientific toolset you pick up in a three-year undergraduate BSc degree gives you several skills that are valuable across the board - whether it be meticulously analysing past stock results and predicting future trends, or designing an algorithm to make streaming video accessible over slow networks! So, what are you waiting for? If you're technically-minded, but are not too sure which industry you’d want to work in later, these may be a great option for you.