Internship Opportunities in Mathematics
Internships are a great way for mathematics students to jump start a career in business and industry or in research. Most, but not all, internships are for students that have finished two or more years of major coursework, and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. This list of opportunities is only partial, and with a little creative searching, you could find a large number of openings.
The time to start looking for a summer internship is in the fall or early winter.
Receiving Academic Credit for an Internship
The Department of Mathematics participates in the University's internship program, which provides internship opportunities for students in business, industry, and government. The program involves either full-time employment during a semester when the student is not enrolled in school, or part-time employment during a semester in which the student is enrolled part-time. While exposing students to mathematics in nonacademic settings, the internship enables them to defray part of their education costs and develop a relationship with potential employers.
Interns may register for Math 4910 (approval of undergraduate advisor is required) or Ed Psych 3960 (through Career Services) during the semester they are involved with the program if they wish to receive university credit. If taken as Math 4910, this course may count as one of the allied courses required by the scientific computing and statistics emphases (advisor approval required). For more information, contact:
Kelly MacArthur
Undergraduate Advisor
226 JWB
801/581-6837
Services available within the University of Utah
- Career Services in SSB Room 350 offers excellent help finding internships.
- The Summer Job Fair is sponsored by Career Services and usually held early in February.
Some Employers Advertising Internships on the Internet
Summer or part-time employment in a nonacademic environment is very useful to help decide career goals. Many employers have employment offices which can be contacted about summer positions. Working temporarily in industry should allow you to learn about jobs available to mathematicians and areas of study that you might want to pursue when you return to school. Most of all, your contacts and accomplishments will be helpful in later job searches.
The American Mathematical Society (AMS) maintains a listing of over 50 websites with internship and co-op opportunities for undergraduates at www.ams.org/outreach/internships.html. These include positions at universities, in government agencies, and in a wide range of private industries. Almost every large company has job opportunities on the web, and many have summer internships.
While these are mainly large organizations, many mathematicians are finding positions in smaller organizations and independent consulting firms. This can lead to interesting work, but finding such a position will require some effort. Be creative and use the internet to your advantage.
Research in Government Labs
The Federal Governments laboratories offer extensive summer employment opportunties, and these jobs can frequently lead to permanent positions.
Everything else
For those of you that have made it this far, and haven't found what you were looking for, there could be many opportunities for mathematicians in companies which do not at present employ any mathematicians. Mathematicians are problem solvers, and there isn't a company in the world without the need for analytical people that can understand and solve problems. Use this to your advantage, you're not just a mathematician, you are a problem solver, you likely have excellent computing skills, and you have much of the same background as physicists and engineers. Don't let a requirement dissuade you from inquiring about a job that you are really interested in, and most of all be creative about where you look.