Mathematical Careers in the Government
Most people might be surprised to hear that mathematics is an important
component in many governmental associations. These careers involve the safety and security
of our society. A mathematician who
chooses to work in this field usually has a great deal of knowledge in the area of
Computer Science. In addition, this type of employee needs to have some knowledge in both the engineering and business arenas.
A mathematicians who works for governmental associations often
relies on his strong background of analysis, probability and statistics, and differential
equations to make the important every day decisions this job calls for.
The following description is one of a mathematician who works for the
U.S. Census Bureau.
"--Being on the forefront of developing new statistical methodologies and performing cutting edge research to solve statistical problems.
--Developing and conducting statistical computing research involving record linkage, time series-modeling, seasonal adjustment, and demographic forecasting.
--Designing the surveys that provide the official measurements of income and poverty, unemployment, manufacturing and foreign trade.
--Being a part of the statistics sought by the president's council of economic advisors, the Federal Reserve Board, and the Congress".
Cited from http://www.census.gov/hrd/www.vacancy/2pgmath.htm
Below are some short descriptions of a few jobs that a mathematician in this
field may have:
- Click on this internet site, provided by the AMS, for a look into the
interesting career of Jeff Allen, a scientist with the Naval Command Control & Ocean Surveillance
Center. He uses his mathematical knowledge, such as H-Infinite theory, harmonic analysis, and
linear algebra to assist in the development of the technology that collects, transmits, and
processes information that is essential to naval operations.
- Read up on James L. Cooley's career as an Aerospace Mathematician with NASA Goddard Space
Flight Center in 101 Careers in Mathematics, a book filled
with interesting mathematics career descriptions, written by the actual professionals. (Page 30.)
- Click here to see an internet site, provided by the AMS, about how Duncan A.
Buell used his mathematics degree to obtain a job with the Institute for the Defense Analyses, which
is sponsored by the National Security Agency, as a Research Staff Member.
- Wonder how a mathematician can work for The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?
Click here to find out.
- Click here to look at an internet site, provided by the AMS, describing Cary E.
Crawford's career with Mason & Hanger - Silas Mason Company, Inc. as a Project Scientist. There,
he performs statistical analysis and administrative support for programs providing safeguards for
the assembly and dismantling of nuclear weapons.
- Click on this internet site, provided by the AMS, to see an informative
description of Mark S. Stamp's job as a Cryptologic Mathematician with the National Security
Agency.
- Check out Charles R. Hadlock's interesting story in 101 Careers in
Mathematics about how he came to be an Environmental Consultant. There are also
several other mathematics job descriptions in this informative book. (Page 72.)
- Click on this internet site, provided by the AMS, to learn what Matt Fivash's
job as a Statistician with the National Cancer Institute entails.
- What would a Research Assistant with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System do?
Click here to go to an internet site, provided by the AMS, where you can read about Marc A.
Fusaro's job as one.
He says that his differential equations and statistics courses have helped him immensely in his
career.
- Click here to see a description, provided by the AMS, of
Raymond Mejia's job as a Mathematician with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). There,
he collaborates with scientists to develop models of biological phenomena, such as a recently
developed model looking at an aspect of kidney function.
