Is your teen a math whiz? Do they want to go to college? There are several careers your teen can pursue that would allow them to exercise their talent and passion for math. Here are six careers your teen can explore.
Financial Analyst
A financial analyst does what the title infers: they analyze their clients' finances. Financial analysts help businesses and individuals make decisions regarding investments, and they analyze the stock market in order to do so. A financial analyst may help a couple plan out their long-term investments. Since only 37% of American seniors have advanced directives in place for end-of-life planning, a financial analyst would have to take any of these types of plans into consideration while helping clients remain financially stable now and into the future.
In most places, an accounting certification along with a Master's degree is required for this role. Aside from being able to analyze numbers, having communication, writing, leadership, technological, and decision-making skills is crucial for this position as well.
Math Teacher
Does your teen want a career that involves working with kids? Becoming a teacher is a great opportunity for individuals who want to teach the subject they're passionate about. Between lesson plans, worksheets, homework assignments, and tests, math teachers put a lot of hard work into their job to ensure their students understand educational material. Your teen could work at the elementary school level and work as a classroom teacher or math specialist, the middle school level teaching algebra, or the high school level, where algebra, trigonometry, geometry, statistics, and calculus are taught.
Teachers must obtain a Bachelor's degree to teach, and some states require Master's degrees, too. Consider encouraging your teen to pursue this career if they like working with kids, have great communication and listening skills, and would like to share their passion for math through teaching.
Chemist
Your teen may enjoy science as well as math. Chemistry is one field of science that utilizes math very frequently. Chemists can work in offices or laboratories, and some may work in manufacturing facilities. They conduct experiments and analyze results to help improve scientific studies, the environment, business operations, the engineering and architectural fields, and more.
A Bachelor's degree in chemistry would be helpful to pursue a career in this field. Obtaining a Master's degree and even a doctoral degree, such as a Ph.D., would be higher levels of education to reach that would allow for greater flexibility in the field, the opportunity to grow through connections and make more money, and the ability to teach chemistry at a college level.
Statistician
Statisticians use math in a different way than what we think of algebra, scientific solutions, and finances. Statistics involves collecting data, assessing results, analyzing trends, and more. Statisticians can work in research, higher education, hospitals, government entities, and market research companies, to name a few.
A person in this position may analyze trends in American debt, which is important because the average American has about $38,000 of debt -- and that doesn't even include mortgages. A statistician can collect data and make predictions to help solve this problem for future success. Statisticians must obtain a Bachelor's degree at the least. A Master's degree or Ph.D. is essential for obtaining a position with good standing and pay, which allows for future growth and a successful career.
Architect
Many people don't think they'll ever use geometry, trigonometry, or algebra past high school. However, if your teen enjoys these areas of math, becoming an architect would allow your teen to practice these mathematical subjects quite frequently. Architects use these subjects to draw blueprints and create designs for buildings and houses. If your teen is interested in and has a keen eye for design in addition to mathematical talent, this career may be a good one to pursue.
Architects must have great communication, presentation, and teamwork skills. To become an architect, one must earn a Bachelor's degree in the field. Obtaining a Master's degree is ideal for career growth and the ability to teach at the collegiate level, too.
Accountant
Accounting is a popular field for individuals who enjoy math and analysis and who want to work in the business field. Accountants can work for small or large companies and non-profits. They ensure all financial records follow regulations as well as resolve financial discrepancies. Essentially, accountants are responsible for the financial stability and success of a company. Accountants also have knowledge about how the tax system works. They help companies and individuals file taxes. For example, an accountant in Oklahoma would know that the sales tax rate is currently 4.5%, and an accountant in New York would know how and when to properly file taxes based on the state's regulations.
Becoming an accountant requires a Bachelor's degree in accounting and the passing of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Once these two items are completed, an individual can add "CPA" to their title. CPAs often work in offices, so the ability to communicate and work alongside others is crucial to the position.
Between math in financial analysis, teaching opportunities, science, and building design, there are several careers that allow for talent and passion for math to be exercised. Since a degree is necessary to have a successful career in these areas, your teen should start thinking about what they'd enjoy most while they're still in high school and can explore their interests and opportunities.
