16 Key Attributes Mathematicians Need To Succeed In Their Career

by Noah Smith

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Mathematicians conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Solve problems in various fields using mathematical methods.

The core tasks that mathematicians are likely to carry out include:

Apply mathematical theories and techniques to the solution of practical problems in business, engineering, the sciences, or other fields.
Develop computational methods for solving problems that occur in areas of science and engineering or that come from applications in business or industry.
Maintain knowledge in the field by reading professional journals, talking with other mathematicians, and attending professional conferences.
Perform computations and apply methods of numerical analysis to data.
Develop mathematical or statistical models of phenomena to be used for analysis or for computational simulation.
Assemble sets of assumptions and explore the consequences of each set.

In order to successfully forge ahead with their careers, analysts in a survey carried out by U.S. Department of Labor (via O*NET) have marked out the following as important attributes that mathematicians would need. These attributes have been selected from characteristics and requirements strongly associated with the occupation. They are

Abilities: Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance
Interests: Preferences for work environments. Occupational Interest Profiles (OIPs) are compatible with Holland's (1985, 1997) model of personality types and work environments. Six interest categories are used to describe the work environment of occupations: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. An OIP consists of six numerical scores indicating how descriptive and characteristic each work environment (or interest area) is for an occupation
Knowledge: Organized sets of principles and facts applying in general domains
Skills: These include basic skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge. Plus cross-functional skills, which are developed capacities that facilitate performance of activities that occur across jobs
Style: Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job

We have listed out attributes which were scored 80% or more in terms of importance by the analysts.

Having a strong preference for investigative work environments. Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Attribute Type: Interests Score: 100%

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Attribute Type: Knowledge Score: 100%

Using mathematics to solve problems.
Attribute Type: Skills Score: 97.6%

Analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 96.2%

Creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 92.6%

Being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 92.6%

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 92.6%

Establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 89.6%

Persistence in the face of obstacles.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 86%

A willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 84.4%

Being honest and ethical.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 82.2%

Developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Attribute Type: Style Score: 80.8%

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Attribute Type: Skills Score: 80%

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Attribute Type: Skills Score: 80%

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Attribute Type: Abilities Score: 80%

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Attribute Type: Skills Score: 80%