More and more jobs require direct use of mathematics, and an increasing number of job titles are reflecting this. More than ever, mathematicians have an opportunity to make a lasting contribution to society by helping to solve problems in such diverse fields as medicine, management, economics, government, computer science, physics, psychology, engineering, and social science. During the past decade, the fraction of mathematical scientists who are employed in science and engineering has increased dramatically to almost four-fifths. Prospects for employment opportunities by the year 2000 in mathematics-based jobs are very good. A bachelor's degree in mathematics is excellent preparation for such diverse fields as statistics, actuarial science, mathematics modeling and cryptography.
Academe continues to be the dominant employer of mathematics degree holders.
The prospects of academic employment are very good. Shortages of qualified school teachers continue, and there are mild shortages of candidates for college faculty positions. These shortages will become severe by the year 2000 if the supply of candidates continues at the present level. The future appears bright for the profession of mathematics, but there are significant challenges. You probably won't like all of them equally, any more - than most musicians feel the same about rock and classical music, or most English majors like all authors and periods equally.