16, Jan 2012

Since 2012 is the National Mathematics Year, let us take a general look at the career opportunities on offer for students pursuing the subject.

Mathematics is not a uniform monolith of a discipline. There is a lot of variety within it. If you were to broadly divide Mathematics as a field of study, you will have pure, applied, and computational mathematics. Under the mistaken perception that one takes up a course in mathematics only to enter academics, many prefer professional courses. But IT companies and financial institutions with R&D facilities need the expertise of mathematicians, particularly from the area of computational mathematics.

According to V. Vetrivel, who is in-charge of the placement cell at IIT-Madras, there are very few students with the right skill sets, and yet companies are ready to recruit them. Although the IITs give students theoretical knowledge, students need to put in an effort to develop an in-depth knowledge in their individual area of interest. They can choose their area of interest depending on the trends in the job market. Actuarial mathematics and financial mathematics are some such specializations that are in demand in the insurance and banking sectors.

With the emergence of e-commerce and online transactions, another field that will gain prominence is cryptology, a specialization the Chennai Mathematical Institute plans to introduce. Their director, Rajeeva Karandikar, explains why cryptology is bound to gain popularity: “For any electronic transaction, the basic protection we use is a password. This is an example of the simplest application of cryptology. But for more important communications, security and confidentiality is key. Students of cryptology will be involved in developing complex methods to ensure the best protocols for information transfer.” He further informs us that, “presently in India, this application is most importantly used in the defence sector, while in other sectors ready-made products developed in other countries are used. But over the course of time, India should also be able to develop its own expertise and security systems.”

Although a slew of career opportunities have developed over the past decade and many more expected, the purely academic pursuit of mathematics has its place in the scheme of things. “For those who have an inclination for theoretical mathematics, teaching is always a good option as it also gives ample time to research on the field you are truly passionate about,” says Saswata Adhikari, a PhD student.

The application of mathematics also extends to other areas such as physics, biology, medicine, and even social sciences. Mathematicians are often required to collaborate and work with people from other fields to take up substantial research.

If students with a natural inclination for mathematics are identified and encouraged from an early stage, their potential has a far greater chance of being realized. To a perceptive teacher identifying math-minded students at schools is not difficult. Such students are never the rote learners and are constantly exploring the logic behind every formula and every concept. Those who understand concepts in a manner that makes their application logical are potential mathematicians. Students too feel that the undergraduate level is the most crucial period when they need motivation and better exposure.