Having a strong foundation in Maths and Physics can launch your career in various exciting directions. So many careers are strongly rooted in the basic principles of Maths and Physics. Technology, Actuary, Engineering, Medical and Healthcare, Space and Astronomy, are all examples of career sectors that Physics and Maths can lead to.
Problem solving, good mathematical ability, the curiosity to wonder why and ask how, are highly developed traits found among mathematicians and physicists. These qualities are very much sought after across many diverse industries. If you have a degree in Maths or Physics, you can work in just about any sector – your career trajectory could be out of this world – literally!
Careers in space technology and astrophysics are strongly represented by graduates of Physics and Maths. Astrophysics, which is related to astronomy, focuses on the physics of the universe. It involves studying the planets, stars, moons and other celestial objects in order to understand the universe and make new discoveries. Sound exciting? Read on to find out more about the surprising careers Maths and Physics can lead to.
A degree in Maths or Physics provides a great foundation for many exciting and diverse careers. Here is a sample of career opportunities to whet your appetite:
Maths
Maths graduates are high in demand from an assortment of employers due to their specialised skills set; most notably problem solving and critical thinking. In general, a large number of maths careers are based within business, science, and technology related sectors. Maths graduates can be found in roles such as Accountant, Actuary, Statistician, Data Analyst as well as roles in ICT, Education, Technology and the Finance and Banking sectors.
Physics
Physics graduates are employed in just about every sphere of human activity. Some examples are included below:
Energy and Environment
Medical and Healthcare
Leisure and Recreation
…in fact, pretty much every sector you can think of needs people with physics knowledge.
Space Science
Having a degree in Maths or Physics is a great way to launch a career in space science and technology. The space industry is dominated by scientists and engineers who want to play a part in the growing space science and technology sector.
Typically, those that work in Space Science have STEM backgrounds - in Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths. Job roles in the space industry cover a wide range of specialisations: mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, communications and systems engineers.
Students attracted to the fields of Maths, Physics and Space Science have some common traits. They tend to be curious and persistent with strong mathematical competence. They are problem solvers, logical thinkers and have good reasoning ability. In order to succeed in these fields, you need to have strong numerical ability. Physics and Space Science is deeply rooted in mathematics.
Good maths students are able to organise and analyse information, apply prior knowledge to solve problems and they have the stamina and persistence to see projects through to the end. They apply logic to understand abstract patterns and relationships. These skills are highly transferable which affords mathematicians the luxury or working in just about any sector.
Physicists possess the same skills and traits of their mathematician counterparts only they have a stronger emphasis on seeking to understand the world around us. Physicists have an interest in the physical world and the cosmos. It is physicists who ask the big questions in life:
If these are questions that fascinate you then physics or indeed astrophysics and space science might be just what you are looking for. Astrophysics and the space technology industry offer some of the most exciting career paths for mathematicians and physicists as they work on some of the most thrilling and ambitious projects ever conceived by humankind.
Higher Education: There are various entry routes into Maths on the CAO. You can choose to do a pure Maths degree or you can study Maths with another subject as a joint degree. Popular subject combinations include: Economics, Statistics, Data Science, Actuary, Finance, Accounting. If you choose to study Mathematics through an Arts degree you have a range of accompanying subjects to choose from.
There are several Physics course offerings available through CAO. These include a variety of courses such as: Applied Physics, Physics and Instrumentation, Theoretical Physics, Astrophysics, Industrial Physics, Physics Technology, Environmental Physics and Physics with Biomedical Sciences. If you wish to get into Space Science, you can complete a degree in Astrophysics or Astronomy. Alternatively completing a degree in Maths, Physics, Engineering or Computer Science will set you on the right path to pursue further studies and training and for the space industry.
Further Education: Some PLC colleges offer Pre-University Science and Pre-University Arts courses or even courses in areas such as Data Analytics. These courses offer students a chance to apply for Arts or Science at third level where they can access courses related to Maths and Physics or progress directly into an associated University Degree.
A degree in Maths or Physics is a ticket into just about any sector. Graduates in these areas have specialised skills that can be adapted to fit into many different environments. The list of career opportunities for graduates in these fields is vast. Here is a flavour of the more likely career sectors Mathematicians or Physicists can be found working in:
Data Analysis: As our dependence on technology grows and computers permeate more and more of our everyday activities, our production of data grows simultaneously. This data needs to be collected, analysed and monetised. Much of the work of data analysis is computer driven, utilising software programs or programming languages to organise and analyse data sets. But the underlying analysis is driven by mathematical algorithms and models. As a result, a career in data analysis would benefit greatly from an aptitude for maths. Check out some of these occupations in Data Analysis: Data Analyst, Big Data Specialist,Data Scientist.
Statistics: Almost every significant decision made in society is informed to some degree by statistics, even if on a very basic level. As the information economy expands, the breadth and depth of the data available has exploded; this has made analysing it ever more complex. This complexity has increased the importance of statistical understanding, as statistics can reveal a lot but can easily mislead if analysed incorrectly. Statisticians needs a good grounding in Maths as they will need to apply the principles of forecasting, probability and modelling to utilise the data. Read more about Statisticians here.
Actuary: Far from being a narrow specialisation, an actuarial qualification opens up a wide range of employment possibilities from academic research to the whole spectrum of commerce. Life insurance has been a traditional area for actuaries over the last couple of centuries. Actuaries have a statutory duty in reporting on the financial health of the company. They are also concerned with product development, underwriting, and the formulation of investment policy, fund management, and general managerial matters. Over the last few decades, actuaries are increasingly found in general insurance companies where their statistical model building skills and general business acumen are used to set premium levels, establish reserves, and report on the overall financial position of the company.Read about occupations related to actuary here: Actuary, Financial Analyst,Risk Analyst.
Space Science and Technology: Job roles in the space industry cover a wide range of specialisations: mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, communications and systems engineers. Mechanical and materials engineers develop the 'hardware' required for space science and exploration. This would include the equipment and technology needed. Electronic or systems engineers develop the 'software' that is essential to run this equipment and ensure that they are working correctly. Maths is at the core of a number of these roles, especially in the analysis of the large amounts of data produced by space instruments and in calculating the orbits of space vehicles. Explore some of these occupations in Space Science and Technology: Aerospace Engineer,Astronomer/Astrophysicist, Atmospheric Scientist, Particle Physicist.
ICT: ICT is a thriving sector in Ireland. With eight of the top ten global software companies and nine of the top ten US tech companies choosing to locate here, Ireland has become a hotbed for ICT innovation and is now the technical hub of Europe. Graduates of physics and maths are in demand in this sector. There are ample opportunities within this sector such as software development, cloud computing, gaming, internet and smart technology. Here is a sample of careers in this area: Computational Physicist, Nanosystems Engineer, Software Engineer.
Health and Medicine: The study of physics is responsible for breakthroughs in medicine such as the discovery of X-Rays and DNA, and the development of treatments such as eye laser treatment and radiotherapy, to name but a few. Physicists are also key players in the development of medical devices and technology such as diagnostic imaging. Some sample careers to consider include: Medical Physicist,Clinical/ Medical Technologist,
If you are considering a career in Maths, Physics or Space Science you might like to consider the following:
If you are currently in employment and wish to enter this sector you might like to consider the following educational options:
Mature Student Application: If you are over 23 you can make a Mature Student application through CAO. In this application, your work and life experience are taken into account as well as your educational history. There are many places made available for mature students.
Postgraduate Course: If you already have a degree you could look into the option of postgraduate study. Your primary degree will be considered on application, those who already possess a degree in a similar field will be looked upon more favourably.
