July 3, 2003
A: FROM MENTOR JACQUELYN JURGA IN MA
Hi Melinda in PA-
This is Jacqui in MA.
Engineering functions include math. With many types of engineering careers
available you would have a grand variety of directions to investigate
different careers. Everything from engineering toys to engineering in the
biotech area, with many in-between. All using math as a baseline to
create new ideas and develop them into a real product or science. Do you
like to sit with a clean sheet of paper in front of you to dream up and jot
down ideas? If so, and if you can find a type of engineering you would
enjoy doing, it might be an option to pursue. I am a mechanical engineer,
and I manage the mechanical designers and fabricators for a chemical
company. It is very rewarding to see the ideas you personally put down on
paper (using math ) and drawing the blueprints to have the idea actually
get fabricated. Engineers here and myself at most of my positions through
the years get to travel. If that also appeals to you, it would be
helpful. The pay is excellent and the work challenging. Good luck!
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A: FROM MENTOR KRISTIN TAGHON IN IL
Hi, Melinda,

Math is a pretty important part of many careers. A friend of mine uses and
develops algorithms that will analyze and predict trading at his Trading Firm.
I'm sure there are other industries that also need algorithms for predicting the
future (so that they can be prepared for the new demand or lack of demand).

Math and computers go hand in hand quite often. As a programmer, writing
software that will perform the algorithms previously mentioned is one way to use
the math.

Engineering requires alot of math. You could probably minor in Math because the
courses you take in engineering are also in the math fields.

Altho, you may not need a math major for some careers, most medical and
scientific careers will require math courses. When you go to a doctor, they are
talking percentages: percentage of body weight, percentage of chances of
getting pregnant or curing a disease. You go in for surgery and the
anesthesiolist uses math to determine how much medicine to use for the length of
surgery and your body weight and how you have reacted to anesthesia in the past.

Chemists and scientists use algorithms, develop algorithms and use measurements
in experiments and products development. They use math extensively every day.

If you're a teacher, you could teach it! As a mother, you teach your children.

I bet you can think of some more.