Michael Burns '80
The GVSC mainframe computer was kept fairly busy for a while with my test runs of a computational physics problem.
Mathematics Career Guide
Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths
Academic Resources
Explore our mathematics academic resources, designed to support your academic aspirations.
Curriculum Guide
Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.
Career Resources
Unlock career potential in mathematics! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.
Menu of Experiences
Sample Mathematics Internship Sites
Internships provide a way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.
Join A Student Organization
Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!
Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills
Developing the relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider strategic elective courses and certificates to pair with their major in order to gain additional skills.
Community Service Opportunities
Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.
The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.
Mathematics Abroad Options
Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.
Imagine exploring mathematical modeling in Tanzania, where real-world applications like epidemiology, environmental science, and economics bring equations to life in impactful ways. Picture yourself collaborating with local researchers on data-driven projects that address regional challenges, all while gaining insight into how math shapes communities around the world. Imagine combining classroom learning with field experience, surrounded by a vibrant culture and a fresh perspective on global problem-solving. Studying abroad can offer math students the chance to expand their analytical skills, adapt to new educational environments, and see the power of mathematics in action across diverse settings
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.
Fellowship Opportunities
Fellowships are high-impact, potentially life-changing opportunities for students and alumni, opening doors to careers in public service, advanced academic study, foreign service, international teaching, and other career and service pathways into meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Mathematics Career Spotlights
Math
Jessica McFarlin '14
My favorite memories are the day-to-day study sessions I would have in Mackinac with friends. It would always end up in a hang-out as more people would walk through.
Samantha Allman '20
My favorite Grand Valley memory has got to be every moment in the College of Education. I became so close with my cohort because we took every class together, worked on math proofs, and collaborated on teaching strategies together.
DaiLynn Dietz '17
I miss the physics club area all the time! We had a space within Padnos where physics students could congregate, collab on projects, and work through tough problems on whiteboards.
Where Alumni Have Landed
- Actuarial Technician, Business Analyst, Software Developer, COBOL Developer – Auto Owners Insurance
- Product Analyst, Product Manager – Farmers Insurance
- Business Analyst – Meijer
- Software Developer, Senior Project Manager – Amway
- Production Support Engineer/Process Engineer – Gentex
- Technical Services – Epic
- Price Analyst – Gordon Food Service
- Process Simulations Engineer/Sales Manager – Port City Group
- IT Quality Assurance Tester – Curian Capital
- Operations Analyst – Notions Marketing
- Auto Loan Team Lead – Fifth Third Bank
- Commercial Lines Underwriter Technician – Hastings Mutual Insurance Company
- Financial Representative – Modern Woodmen of America
- Business Metrics Analyst – Quicken Loans
- Financial Analyst – Crystal Flash
- Rate Analyst – Holland
- Buyer – Magna International
- Assistant Manager – Craig’s Cruisers
- Customer Service Representative – Tave Risk Management
- Account Manager – CP Solutions
- Business Support Analyst I – Rutherford & Associates
- GIS Business Analyst – Whirlpool
- Database Engineer – Hart & Cooley
- Technical Recruiter – Insight Global
- Controls Engineer – JR Automation
- Application Developer: Java – IBM
- Developer – IHS Automotive
- Operations Supervisor – Kellogg Company
- Speech Recognition Validation Engineer – General Motors
Attend Events
Career Communities - Engineering, Technology, & Data
Employer of the Day: United States Air Force
November 19, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Stop by the Kennedy Hall of Engineering anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from the US Air Force! Each semester, we bring top companies right to you on campus! Stop...
Etiquette Dinner
November 19, 2025 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
This free, three-course etiquette dinner is the perfect opportunity to finally learn which fork is for salad and which glass is yours. You will have the opportunity to explore Continental vs. American...
View More Career Communities - Engineering, Technology, & Data
Consider joining the Engineering, Technology, and Data Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs
You’ve mastered the foundations of mathematics as an undergraduate, and now you’re ready to push further into the abstract, the applied, or the cutting edge. Graduate school can open new doors in both academic research and real-world problem solving.
- Master of Science (MS) in Mathematics: This degree is ideal if you want to deepen your understanding of pure or applied math, preparing you for careers in data science, finance, technology, or further PhD study. Programs often focus on advanced topics like topology, analysis, and computational methods.
- PhD in Mathematics: If you’re drawn to original research and want to contribute new knowledge to the field, a PhD offers the opportunity to specialize in areas like number theory, differential geometry, or mathematical logic. This path is often essential for teaching and research roles in academia.
- Interdisciplinary Programs: Many graduate options now combine mathematics with fields like biology, economics, or computer science. Whether you're interested in mathematical biology, cryptography, or quantitative finance, these programs let you apply your skills to complex, real-world systems.
Discover More
Join a Career Community
Watch Videos to Hear from Alumni Working in the Field
Check out our podcast!
Career Center Resources
Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.