Graduated with a Math degree... feel like a moron.

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So as the title says, I recently graduated with a degree in Mathematics. Joy of joys... it's supposed to be a proud moment in my life. But now my situation is sinking in and I can't find anything to do with my new-fangled degree.

Nothing in the job listings seems applicable to my skills, or they require some technical jargon laden skill set. Or there are accounting or business or financial jobs where I would have to wear a suit and all the office politics. I don't even own a suit or understand these work environments.

It seems like I'll have to go get a factory job, grocery store or Wal-Mart type job. But that type of employment seems counter to all the expectations and self esteem and what have you that has been building up in me over the last 26 years.

I don't even know what I'm writing this for. I have two parts to me... parts that are too smart... and parts that are too dumb.

I'm glad I had a good time studying math... I might as well have spent those 6 years getting drunk and doing drugs....Because now I'm paying the price for studying what I like and not heeding the advice of those who said that there was really no jobs for those who study math exclusively.

Really isn't anything to be ashamed of... I have a degree and a certificate, and jobs are very hard to get.

I have only worked jobs like you said.

Don't ever feel like a moron. Its an economic downturn remember.

If you are seeking employment as a mathamatician then you will need a Ph.D in mathamatics since a lot of jobs in this area involve research and development. It's just one of these areas that gravitates towards advanced degrees. This is also a relatively small occupation with keen competition for jobs. If you have a masters degree do you have a second major such as engineering or computer science? That would better your chances for employment.

With only a bachelor's degree or masters degree in mathamatics your best bet would probably be to find out what it takes to get a certification in teaching.

a lot of teachers need masters' degrees. But heaven knows we need more math teachers...

In my opinion you should look into being an actuary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actuary

i wanted to write the same. have you been thinking of going after Ph.D.? if u like mathematics i believe u would like research. i am researcher myself and i think that that's very good job for aspies...

I've been perusing Chemical Engineering jobs with the US government the past week, so I looked up "Mathematician" on their web page, came up with 45 results, about half of which look to be entry-level. You might have to move for them (usually covered), and they aren't all with the military.

Here's the main list of the jobs.

And here's one that looks pretty cool, working for the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Job Description:
"Plans, directs, or conducts research on basic mathematical principles, methods, procedures, techniques, or relationships; or develops mathematical methods in the solution of a variety of scientific, engineering, economic and military problems. Requires professional education in the field of mathematics."

You should apply for jobs even if you don't meet all of the requirements. You'd be surprised how many morons apply for jobs that meet NONE of the requirements.

My husband got a job that "required" a degree even though he doesn't have one.

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal recently about how being a mathematician is the best rated job currently in the US in terms of salary and stress level.

I think you shouldn't be so down on yourself... and you definitely should not be considering Walmart.

Congratulations! I hear mathematics is one of the hardest degrees to achieve!

Don't give up hope.. we're all in the same boat - degree, or no degree.

actuary

NSA

teacher

military

statistician for the US Census Bureau

Financial Specialist (the EPA is hiring)

Also

Developing math games
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/ ... 3JPMTZTCKZ

assistant editor for math books
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/ ... R02DG5F0JB

Math software tester
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/ ... Y237SRVN30

Problem-Solving
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/ ... LTFW88M5K6

Test Analyst (in Vegas... nice)
http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/ ... 7TC5MXN30Y

I would give you more but I am lazy

I've been thinking about getting into teaching. Right now I tutor part time, but it's not enough to pay all my bills.

I'm still not sure if teaching is for me... I have some other cognitive difficulties/communication problems that would make teaching difficult. But it's probably top on my list, there is a accelerated program in my area.

I'm not sure if I have the gumption to get a Ph.D in Math... I graduated with a 3.0... but in my major it was a little lower. I could probably do a Masters in a related field, or a Ph.D in a field that isn't Math.

Shiggily: I'm going to apply for that Problem-Solving job you posted. The position is in Madison, which is close to me. I have many fears and doubts about moving...

Kirska: It's really difficult to get that idea around my head. That I should apply even if I'm not the ideal candidate based on their qualifications. Most job listings are in these areas of industry that I have no knowledge about at all. Nothing in the listings indicates that they would train me in the field, so I get discouraged and believe the job isn't for me. I also have confidence problems, and it's hard for me to believe that I can do a job without sufficient evidence otherwise.

DNForrest: When I read those job descriptions I have no knowledge of what is described in the duties. Is this something they will train me in? Or do they expect me to know all that coming into the job?

To everyone, thanks for your responses.

I have some other issues going on too... I'm not sure what it is... but something along the lines of Learning Disability/AS/Innatentive ADHD. I was seeing a psychologist for a while, until I ran out of money... he said some would consider it a miracle that I was organized enough to even graduate college.

I'd imagine they'd train you in anything you need to know, since they said in the Requirements that you only need a degree in Mathematics or a certain number of math classes. What I read from the description is not that you'd be the one coming up with the equations, but be part of a team that solves them. I recall a quote from my Thermodynamics professor during a class where we were trying to solve a problem, and ended up with an incredibly complicated equation:
"If you were working for a company and came up with this, you wouldn't actually solve it, you'd just send it to the company's Math department to solve it. But, since we can't do that right now, I'll just tell you how to solve it."

Most companies don't expect you to know everything they want right out of college, and it's fairly common for you to have to go through a paid training program when you start working for them. The job I'm hoping to get right now with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission starts off with an 18-month training program.

Dude, this is a recession. Jobs are sooo 2008. Sign onto social welfare, get a bag of weed and chill out for a while !

Failing a drug screening probably won't help the situation

Drug screening for social welfare? Fascists!