On March 27 2013 23:36 BoonSolo wrote:
Heres my 2cents,
I live in the UK for what its worth although I cant imagine it makes worlds of difference.
I always loved maths in school, my A-Levels (16-18) I did maths, further maths, physics and biology and got AAAB respectively. I went to a good university (around 10th in the country I believe). Despite being good at maths and enjoying the work I had done so far, the hardest topic we learnt was probably fairly advanced Calculus, although no multi-variable stuff.
When I got to university my first year went swimmingly although 90% of the topics covered were not anything like I had studied in school. Group theory, Number theory, Linear Algebra and proofs in general were completely new to me and probably due t my own laziness I had no idea this is what would be taught.
I would make sure you look into the topics that the course will offer and make sure that it will interest you. I wish someone had given me this advice because by the time I was 50% through my course I had lost all passion for it and really just scraped through on being good at the basics. If I could do it over I would take economics, finance or something numerical that was easier and more practical.
I currently work for a relatively small investment management firm dealing mostly with fund structuring and fund management. I’ve passed the IMC (Investment Management Certificate, UK exam only) and I am studying for the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) which is basically an MBA in finance. I enjoy this study much more as I can see uses for the maths that I am learning instead of everything, and I mean EVERYTHING being totally theoretical in my degree.
In terms of employability, I couldn’t apply for high profile banking jobs straight out of uni because I didn’t get a 2:1 (60% on course), however even the best jobs advertised: required 2:1 in any numerical field. I believe if I had studied economics or finance I would have gotten a better grade due to increased interest and the course being easier.
So sure if you believe you have the passion and the drive to enjoy it and get a strong grade you are probably in a good position for employability as a mathematics degree is very highly regarded (even for me with my relatively low grade) however in my opinion I believe a 1st in economics and a 1st in Maths are not that dissimilar in terms of employability, I think all that matters is getting the interview, your degree isnt going to matter so much once your in there, its just the way to get in.
Seems you had a similar experience to me. I waltzed through school and A levels, but university maths was a different kettle of fish. I was used to the "solve this do this" stuff at school, but at university it became a lot more abstract and really there wasn't a whole lot of "do this solve this", let alone using a calculator. I swear when I say maths to people they say "Oh you could become an accountant", to which I reply that really there isn't any Maths in accounting - the only exams I'd say a calculator was vital were the statistics modules.
However, I lost my pa during the course which probably didn't help, and after taking a couple of years longer than I should have (I resat second year and took a year break) I did manage to complete with a 2:2. Final year I did some modules that were really interesting. Graph Theory and Combinatorics actually taught me what Maths is really about, the abstractness of it and the lateral thinking that is needed to solve problems. After these modules I was actually doing proofs myself, rather than just trying to memorise them for exams like in first year. I also did a Cosmology module that was very interesting.
So with hindsight I wouldn't do Maths at age 19 like I did, I'd wait until now (I'm 25) so as to be a bit maturer and appreciative of it. I'd still do it, because it's fascinating, I'm a little gutted I couldn't make the most of it. Of course that's easy to say, likely that the whole experience was a maturing one. But OP you seem to be acting mature about this. Just honestly ONLY do Maths if you are sure you'll enjoy it, that's the only advice I can really give.
EPT
