Undergraduate Program: Post-College Planning
Links | Letters of Recommendation |
Specific opportunities
- Career, Grad School, and Employment Resources for Mathematics Students (MAA)
- Job Ads for Mathematics Students from the MAA
- Careers, Jobs, and Internship Resources (AMS)
- Early Career (AMS)
- Secondary teaching:
- Actuarial Careers:
- National Security Agency
- Math Careers (British site)
- Graduate School Resources (AMS)
- Graduate Study at Northwestern
- NU Career Services
- University Placement Office
Students hoping to enter graduate or professional school after graduation from Northwestern will need to submit letters of recommendation from several faculty members as part of the application process. Those applying for jobs also need to submit the names of faculty members who can evaluate their personal qualities and skills.
What can you do to increase the likelihood of getting strong faculty recommendations? Doing well on exams and course assignments is, of course, necessary, but it is not sufficient. A letter which says only that you "earned A grades on all course exams and assignments" implies that this is all the writer can say about you.
To avoid ending up in this situation, you should begin early in your studies to try to get to know several professors well. How can you do this? By taking small courses with them (most upper level math courses have relatively small enrollments; in other departments, look for discussion-oriented seminars), by going to their office hours to discuss class topics or to seek advice, and/or by working on independent study or research projects with them. Let them see how bright and intellectually curious you are, the range of skills you possess, and what a pleasure you are to work with. Professors who know you well and who enjoy their own interactions with you will do a good job of communicating to admissions committees or potential employers that they, too, should value the chance to work with you and get to know you.
GRADUATE STUDY ELSEWHERE
Opportunities for graduate study in mathematics and related fields which have been brought directly to our attention are posted in the announcements section of the math majors' blackboard site.
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
- Northwestern University Office of Fellowships
- American Mathematical Society - Assistantships and Graduate Fellowships
Fellowship announcements which have been brought directly to our attention are posted in the announcements section of the math majors' blackboard site.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Employment opportunities for mathematics majors which have been brought directly to our attention by prospective employers are posted in the announcements section of the math majors' blackboard site. The University Placement Office has many other listings that should be consulted.
