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So, you are a senior math major just about to graduate from Smith and
have no job. You are a little concerned to say the least. When you
were a freshman you thought oh I'll be a math major and then it'll be
easy to get a job. Then you got interested in Modern Algebra, Topology,
and Logic. These do not readily appear to have an application in the
types of jobs that are out there, like economic consulting. What do you
do?
It's all in the attitude. Getting a job is a matter of selling someone
on the idea that you can do the job and do it better than anyone else
who is interested in it. You are a math major from Smith! You are
intelligent and can do anything! You are a superhero! OK, maybe not a
superhero, but you certainly can do any job. Being a math major taught
you more than you realize. You did not just learn how to write a proof
or solve an integral. You learned a way of thinking, a rigorous way of
thinking. You learned to pay close attention to details. You learned
you can solve almost any problem. And most importantly, you know you
can learn how to solve any problem. Being a math major is not
for everyone. To get through it proves to someone that not only are you
intelligent but you have perseverance and can think deeply about a
problem. Now you are wondering: Great, I have these skills, but how do
I get someone else to see them?
Well, this part is up to your personal style, but I'll tell you a few
stories about what happened to me. One good, one bad.
I was on a second interview in Chicago for a position as a trader. I
had no previous experience that would show that I could do this (i.e.
no internships, no summer jobs in this field, nothing). I had two
interviews this day. The first went fine. The guy asked mainly simple
probability questions (I didn't study this but they were easy questions,
no sweat). On to the next interview---it was with one of the partners
of the firm. He had a computer in front of him and I was allowed to
stare at him and the blank wall behind him. His first question: Tell me
the current market price of a 15yr government bond and I do not want
this morning's price but the current price. My response: I don't know.
(No point in lying, he had the answer in front of him.) Click
click---he taps some buttons on the computer. OK then, how about the
current price of Stock X? My response: I don't know. The interview
proceeds like this---he asks a ridiculous question, I don't know the
answer. Meantime, I'm getting more nervous than you can imagine. So
nervous that after ten minutes, I'm thinking if this doesn't stop soon
I'm going to throw up on his desk. Five minutes later I'm about to, so
I ask, ``Can I go to the bathroom?'' He points where it is. I run and
just make it in time to throw up in the toilet. But at least he wasn't
asking me any more questions. I take a few minutes, regain my composure
and walk back into his office. At which point he tells me the interview
is concluded. Needless to say I didn't get the job. But what the heck,
you can't have everything.
At another interview, again my second interview with the firm, an
economic consulting firm. (I'll let you in on a little secret: I've
never ever taken an econ course (or anything that looks like one) or an
applied math course. I took strictly theory classes. Again it is with
a partner in the firm. First question he asks: ``I have your transcript
and resume here and nothing indicates any interest in economics. Why do
you want to work here? You do know this is an economic consulting firm,
don't you?'' (Don't be intimidated by this type of question. You are a
math major. Always remember this.) Smile. ``Well, this is true, but I
am interested in a job that will allow me to continue using mathematics
and since economics is based on math, I thought this would be a good
place to start. I realize most of my classes are theoretical, but I
have learned to solve problems. I can learn economics. I'd be willing
to take any classes you might suggest. Blah Blah Blah.'' Ok, this
wasn't exactly my response, but it's a close approximation to what I
said. I demonstrated that I can learn what needs to be done and my past
experiences back that up. I accepted a job with this firm.
Since getting the job, I asked the partner why they did hire me. The
answer was that they'd rather have a math major who is interested in
what they do than an econ major. It's the choice between someone who
knows how to think and someone who knows stuff. They can teach me
stuff.
Being a math major means you can apply to do any job and have a pretty
decent chance at getting it. To give you another example, I was also
offered a job as the assistant to a CEO of a company that makes
chandeliers. Do I know anything about that?!? I think you already know
the answer, no. The firm I currently work for does its consulting
mostly for the natural gas and electric utilities. I knew nothing about
this when I started. Now almost a year later, I have a small clue.
This does not mean that once you get the job it's smooth sailing. I
spent most of my summer and fall (even now) when I wasn't at work
including my lunch hour reading textbooks, trade magazines, and anything
the partners suggested so I could get up to speed. You might have to
work a little harder in the beginning to catch up, but the point is: you
can.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. You can
write me care of the alumnae office.
Also, just so you know, before I got any job offers, I sent our over 100
cover letters and resumes. So don't be dismayed when you get a few
rejections. Just keep in mind: you are a math major and can do
anything! Good Luck!
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