The career options available to a math major are many and varied. Despite common misconceptions, students of mathematics are not at all confined to teaching or research. Math majors enjoy careers in fields ranging from actuarial science to law, medicine, and business. A strong background in mathematics provides you with the ability to think critically, to argue by analogy, and to reason inductively and deductively - qualities all essential for success.
Within the course of study for a math major, there are numerous options (some ``official,'' some not so structured) that can perhaps more efficiently guide you toward a career in a particular field. For example, an applied math option includes courses in both continuous and discrete methods in applied mathematics. Within this context, you can elect a computer science emphasis, combining applied math and numerical analysis courses with a computer science minor. You may also take a business emphasis, combining applied math with some selected courses in business. Another possibility is an engineering emphasis, with courses combined between those two departments.
With a pure math option, you will combine theoretical courses in mathematics with possibly some graduate work. A mathematics education option lets you combine pure and applied math courses with secondary or middle school teacher certification. A pre-actuarial sciences option combines pure and applied mathematics with a minor in statistics and selected business courses. Lastly, you can elect various pre-professional options, including emphases in law, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary sciences.
Read the following sections for more information on each of these course options, and ask your adviser for guidance.