Students preparing for a career in this area need to develop a broad background in mathematics, modeling skills, computer skills, and communication skills. The mathematics department's professional development seminar, courses in applied mathematics, operations research, and statistics, and research projects are intended to help students to develop the necessary skills. Students often work on thesis projects in collaboration with other researchers at New Mexico Tech and elsewhere. Recent graduates have found employment at BDM, Hughes Aircraft, Microsoft, The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Phillips Laboratories, and other industrial organizations and government laboratories. Other students work in a variety of areas in pure mathematics.
Some students prepare for careers in community college teaching.
Experience as a graduate student teaching assistant can be especially helpful. Recent graduates have found employment at San Juan Community College and Clovis Community College. Students can also use the MS program to prepare for entry into a PhD program. Recent graduates have entered PhD programs at Clemson, Pennsylvania State University and Boston University. A listing of some recent graduates and places where our graduates have found employment is available.