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They
are theoretical mathematicians.
work in another branch of math than the
applied field, in which the principles are
used to solve specific practical problems.
People with the necessary background who
have much intellectual curiosity and like
to deal in abstractions may be attracted
to pure mathematics.
The prospects

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These are some of the possibilities. The
outlook is promising for the girl who prepares herself for the opportunities in
mathematics in the years ahead. The
demand for mathematicians exceeds the
supply and is growing, the Women's Bureau of the U. S. Department of Labor
reported in its bulletin Employment Opportunities for Women Mathematicians and
Statisticians (released early in 1957).
A man's field?

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may point the way to a career for you.
Even if you change your plans later-as
many students do-all the math you take
in high school will be of benefit to you.

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NoTE: You may be interested in Employment Opportunities for Women Mathematicians and Statisticians, Bulletin
262 of the Women's Bureau, U . S. D epartment of Labor.
Send your order with 25 cents to the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S . Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C.
Other helpful publications are Guidance Pamphlet in
Mathematics fo r H i gh School Students (25 cents) and The
Mathematics Student Journal (10 cents per issue) . Order
from t he ational Council of Teachers of Mathematics,
1201 16th St., NW., Washington 6, D . C.

ex:

Now that you have considered the possibilities for math in your future, consult
your math teacher or faculty adviser about
courses to study. Your choice of highschool subjects will have an important
bearing on what you do later. College


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

These highlights . . .

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You may always have thought of math as
a man's field. While there have undoubtedly been many more men than women in
certain occupations using mathematics,
the doors are now open for women who are
qualified. Relatively few women have
thoroughly prepared themselves for some
of these professions in the past. They are
now finding jobs on all levels and in all
areas of mathematics, the Women's Bureau
reports.
What about the present?

work is dependent on high-school background. Your teacher or adviser can give
you valuable help in planning for your
future.
Remember the need for training in math
for numerous other fields. In nursing,
occupational and physical therapy, and
dietetics-all popular occupations for
women-mathematics is essential.

U. S . GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1957 0 - 4 22048

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents,
U. S. Government Printing Office
Washington 25, D . C. - Pri<'e 5 cents

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Is Math in the Stars for You?
Every girl now in high school will use
some mathematics in the years aheadas a professional person, clerical worker, or
homemaker and consumer. Every woman
will use some mathematics , and some may
use a great deal.
If you . . .
1r
1r
1r

are keenly interested in math
want to take all you can of it in high school, or
plan to major in it (or in a subject which uses
it) in college

. . . you will want to know what jobs
you may find when you graduate.
A wide selection of jobs is open to the girl
who is qualified in math. And the numerous activities in which she can use this
background may be with various types of
employers-s chools, government, industry,
or other private business. The salary is
likely to be good in many of these jobs.
Some of the opportunities . . .

for women with training in mathematics
are in the following fields:
Teaching

If you .
~

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combine the qualifications for teaching with
ability in mathematics
like to explain things clearly and make yourself understood
~njoy working with young people and helpmg them develop

. teaching may be a good choice for
you. Teachers are needed for mathematics
classes in high schools and colleges as well
as in elementary grades.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Advantages of this work are long vacations,
pleasure of association with vital and
imaginative young people, and the satisfaction of contributing to the growth of the
individual student and to the progress of
the Nation as a whole.
The computing field
±
±
±
If machines and puzzles appeal to you,

you might enjoy working as a coder or
programmer with one of the big new computers, or electronic "brains," as they are
sometimes called. Actually, they are not
brains at all, for while they can perform
tremendous calculations at high speed and
follow a succession of precise directions,
they are helpless without a human being
(one with training in mathematics!) to set
up the problems for them to work and
careful instructions to follow.
Scientilic lields

If you are interested in any of the physical

or social sciences-suc h as chemistry,
physics, biology, geology, metallurgy, economics, sociology, psychology, health
fields-you could be employed as a mathematician with one of these subjects as a
specialty. Or-if you plan to specialize
in one of these fields or in engineering you should have mathematica l training as
part of your preparation.
Research

For research in many fields, math is essential; you will need it in order to prepare
reports of your research and to understand
existing reports. Even before earning a
degree, you might get a beginning job as an
assistant in a research laboratory if you
have sufficient background in math and

possibly statistics. Research in mathematics should certainly not be overlooked
as an occupation. If you like the campus
atmosphere but do not wish to teach, you
may find numerous opportunities for partor full-time research at a college or umversity.
Statistics

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As a statistician, you could use mathematics in any of the subjects mentioned
under "Scientific fields," and major in one
of those sciences in college, or in statistics
or mathematics . There are increasingly
good prospects for statisticians.
Actuarial work

b.

b.

b.

An actuary applies math to various aspects
of insurance and to pension and other employee-benefit plans. The actuary calculates rates so the plan can operate on a
sound financial basis and performs other
duties related to this field. Preparation
to be a fully trained actuary reqmres
passing 8 examinations, which usually
takes from 5 to 10 years.
Accounting

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2;

2;

If you plan to become an accountant, you

should be good at figures and enjoy working with them. You would apply this
ability to many elements of financial activity, such as budgets, costs, discounts,
insurance, interest, payrolls, and taxes.
You would undoubtedly want to earn a
"CPA" (certified public accountant) license.
"Pure" mathematics

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Can you see yourself as an Einstein?
People who delve into mathematica l laws
and formulas and develop new theories