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.

• Opportunities at the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
   
• A math major can qualify for Civil Service positions as a Mathematician, Oceanographer, Operations Research Analyst, Physicist, or Statistician.
   
• Opportunities at the National Security Agency

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 by Andrew Sterrett and published by The Mathematical Association of America, Washington, D.C. 1996, a book filled with interesting mathematics career descriptions, written by the actual professionals. 
   
• 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 by Andrew Sterrett and published by The Mathematical Association of America, Washington, D.C. 1996, about how he came to be an Environmental Consultant. There are also several other mathematics job descriptions in this informative book.
   
• 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.