Hi, my name is Saumya Anand! I am a Post Graduate in Mathematics, 2019 batch, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela. Before that, I did B.Sc (Hons.) Mathematics from Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi. I choose Mathematics as my key subject for graduation and post-graduation because studying Mathematics opens various career opportunities. I have always had an analytic mind and loved to solve problems. A Mathematics problem is simply a puzzle that can be solved by the right blend of analysis, precision, and patience.
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Mathematics itself is a vast subject, which firstly branches out into Pure and Applied Mathematics. As the name suggests, Applied mathematics deals with the applications of Mathematics, whereas Pure Mathematics answers the question ‘Why we are doing, what we are doing?’ For instance, the most basic example can be applying mathematics for any number x, ‘x+0=0’, whereas Pure Mathematics answers why x+0 is equal to 0. Applied mathematics contains topics like Integral Calculus, Vector Calculus, Partial Differential Equation etc., and Pure Mathematics contains topics like Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra etc. In graduation, I got to study a bit about all of these subjects. After graduation, I appeared for the entrance exam, IIT-JAM. Through it, an applicant can get admission in any of the IITs, NITs and IISERs. Based on my score, I got admission at NIT Rourkela. The curriculum and the style of teaching over there was starkly different from that of IPCW, DU. Over here, I studied new subjects like Topology, Functional Analysis, Fuzzy Set theory, amongst others. A particular focus was on using various programming languages, like R, MATLAB, Mathematica, to make mathematical models related to the course work. I also did a research project in my final year, which focused on Dilation and Reflection Wavelet sets in both single dimension and multidimensional. During my two years of Post-Graduation, I also interned for two months at the reputed Chennai Mathematical Institute under the tutelage of Dr R Sridharan. The atmosphere at the institute is perfect for any budding researcher in the sciences.
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Coming to career options after pursuing the Mathematical sciences, a person can dip into various career opportunities. Starting with the most basic one, a person can aspire to become either a school teacher or a professor at any university or institution. To become a professor, a person must clear CSIR NET and get a more lucrative offer; it must attain a PhD in any mathematical topic of choice. Apart from this, a person can become a JRF or a Junior research fellow, wherein they need to clear CSIR NET and clear a particular cut off. A JRF can join any reputed educational institution wherever the vacancy pops up. A person can either clear GATE or NET JRF or both and become JRF. A person can also get into DRDO as a researcher if he/she has cleared GATE/ CSIR NET. Since mathematicians can also learn to code, a mathematics graduate can be appointed to any software company to be given projects according to their educational qualification. Another career option is Analytics, wherein a person can join as Business Analyst, Data Analyst or Research Analyst. Due to the current scenario, another attractive career option coming up is that of an online educator or a Subject Matter Expert/Consultant. Since Mathematics helps you develop a very analytical mind and makes you good with numbers, a Mathematician can go for a career option in the banking industry. After getting into a bank and getting to know its nitty-gritty, a person can also try Chartered Financial Analyst. In layman terms, the primary role of a CFA is to give the correct formulas for the working of the core banking solution platform to the backend developer. Apart from this, a Mathematician can also get a job as an Air Traffic Controller. However, they would need to have a comprehensive knowledge of both Mathematics and Physics.
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