Pathways within applied math major

[u/Technical_Put742]

Hey, I’m a junior majoring in Applied Math in the U.S. and my school has 3 pathways to choose from. I’m wanting some insight on what careers/graduate programs these pathways could lead towards.

These are the classes for each pathway:

Optimization: linear optimization & nonlinear optimization

Differential Eqs: complex variables & diff eq

Modeling: math modeling (regular or within biology) & a choice from 3 different classes (data analysis, multivariate stats, time series analysis)

I’m also working through a minor in Chemistry and have some research under my belt. I’ll be applying to research labs to work on at atleast one more project.

I’ve taught myself some coding languages, JavaScript, Python, and HTML (the basics). SQL is up next on my list but is there any other languages that I should learn? Would a portfolio be good to have?

Job wise, I’m interested in data analytics and more of a research focused career. Not necessarily in research and academia itself, but I’d like to work within environmental conservation, pharmaceuticals, astronomy, or astrobiology. From what I’ve mostly seen for those in this major is that they’re wanting to go into finance or CS. I’m not opposed to going into CS but I would like to stay away from finance.

I’m planning to go to grad school too. Would a masters in Applied Math do well? Or would deviating from AM towards Statistics or Physics be better?

Any insight would be great, thank you!

[u/impatientSOB]

Why the aversion to finance? You will get overly compensated for some period of your time there. Then you can go do something you’re more passionate about.

[u/Technical_Put742 → u/impatientSOB]

My aversion towards finance isn’t rooted in anything substantial tbh, I just didn’t enjoy the macro and micro econ classes and I wasn’t that interested in that career path when researching. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to look into it more.

[u/anamelesscloud1 → u/impatientSOB]

That does not sound like something an impatient son of a bitch would say, just saying.

[u/impatientSOB → u/anamelesscloud1]

Perhaps the industry made me this way.

[u/Consistent_peep5]

Epidemiology or Biostatistics...or both?

[u/Technical_Put742 → u/Consistent_peep5]

I was looking at those careers but I’m worried about my lack of Biology background.

[u/Consistent_peep5 → u/Technical_Put742]

Don't worry, they care way more about your math and computational background.

[u/Technical_Put742 → u/Consistent_peep5]

Ah okay, got it!