During my undergrad summers I did "REU's" (essentially math internships) and I went to grad school directly after graduating, so I have no experience in anything but pure math. I fear the longer I stay unemployed the less attractive I would be to an employer.
I was wondering: 1) What type of jobs (in tech) may be welcoming to someone with my skillset? (that is which can I apply to without learning too much more at this point). 2) If there is generally more I should know before I can apply to most jobs? 3) I have not yet applied to any jobs but I was wondering if I should click "new grad" or "professional" since I am neither.
Currently I am thinking of SWE jobs, but I am happy to learn of any other suggestions.
Cheers, n-Dim.
> 1) What type of jobs (in tech) may be welcoming to someone with my skillset?
Data science, programming, statistics, logistics, optimization, basically everything that's related to research, development, or innovation. There are many field that are in need of mathematicians without you or them knowing. Having someone in the company that's smart, rational, and has a good scientific mindset (makes the least amount of assumptions) is very valuable. Don't forget that you can write open applications. My experience is that if you have a skill set not many people have (mathematics) you're invited often.
> 2) If there is generally more I should know before I can apply to most jobs?
Soft skills are more important than most mathematicians think: Managers can be a pain in the ass; Sometimes you have to explain your solutions to colleagues that don't even know how to basic arithmetic; You have to negotiate your salary; You have to do (office) politics, ...
When I hire new team members I select on more than only skill. I prefer to have a mediocre engineer who's good at explaining what he did and works well in the team, than hire a genius who refuses to collaborate and cannot explain his line of thought. Invest in soft skills, learn how to collaborate, how to teach, how to listen!
> 3) I have not yet applied to any jobs but I was wondering if I should click "new grad" or "professional" since I am neither.
As a graduated math student with intern experience I don't consider you junior anymore. Aim a little bit higher. Also keep in mind that often you can make promotion fast in a company if you're good and put effort in it.
Lots of free resources online.
They have a few courses: