KEY POINTS:
What do fields as diverse as steel production, electricity supply, agriculture, traffic flows, evolutionary building design, web security and bar coding have in common?
They are all dependent on mathematical research, says Bill Barton, head of Mathematics at the University of Auckland. Yet despite high-profile industries needing mathematicians who know how to make sense of data and its results, students don't see maths as a desirable subject.
Graduates with maths are highly sought after as employees who are analytical in their approach to tasks and more able to apply logic and objectivity than many other graduates.
"There is a worldwide shortage of those people, particularly those that take Maths to PhD level."
This year there are 800 students taking level two maths at Auckland university, with many in commerce and science. Barton says about 80 students a year graduate with a maths major; "yet the market is screaming out for them".
Mathematics students are taught a range of concepts, theoretical results and analytical, computational and modelling skills. These are useful in areas such as biological, information and physical sciences, economics, engineering and finance, as well as other branches of mathematical sciences. Combine those skills with social skills, and they also do well in management, adds Barton.
Feedback from industries suggests that employers would love to see more maths in degrees. For example, says Barton, multidisciplinary consultants Connell Wagner laughed when asked if the graduates they employ have enough maths in their qualifications.
"They told me they never have and never will; that it is one of their biggest problems in recruitment."
He hears frequently of graduates in other fields, including business, whose lack of maths skills is holding back their career opportunities.
Ken Baker, Niwa (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) Auckland regional manager - and a marine biologist - is another who would like to see more maths in degrees. He says Niwa attracts people with environmental, marine biology and science-related interests.
"Yet there are significant aspects of the work that requires maths."
The worldwide interest in global warming is creating an international demand for scientists with experience in the two areas that Niwa covers - climate and water, says Baker.
"The career opportunities are vast."
Young people who are interested in these areas need to concentrate on science and maths at school, keeping choices broad, says Baker. "You also need good English for there is nothing worse than a badly written report."
By the time you've done your undergraduate degree, says Baker, you should be numerate and have some knowledge of biology, chemistry or physics. "Then you can choose to do a masters in one of those areas."
Barton urges students interested in maths to take a range of maths subjects. "Business and economics need calculus, there is no question about that, but you also need statistics and computer methods and matrixes - discrete maths. You can do with it all."
Applied maths uses equations to study real world problems, such as ice flow or the human genome, while pure maths tends to lead more into research and internet technology.
The University of Auckland runs an annual science and maths fair to inform students of potential careers in these subjects. Held in August this year, the fair attracted 43 employer stands and 29 seminars attended by hundreds of students. Employers included Colmar Brunton, Touchpoint, Sidhe Interactive, New Zealand Steel, Agriculture, NZ Police and Defence Technology Agency.
The fair provides the opportunity for students to gather information and speak with employees regarding career options, says Gillian Reynolds, the university's senior career consultant. "It also gives employers a chance to raise the profile of their company so students know where to look for job opportunities."
Kavinesh Singh, a risk analyst for Mighty River Power, chose his career path after attending an Auckland university fair. He joined the energy company's graduate programme with an undergraduate degree in engineering and PhD in operational research (maths).
"I found it all intriguing because I've always had an interest in large engineering structures and machines, such as dams, turbines and generators and how engineering and scientific methods can improve their operations and management."
Part of the enterprise risk team, he works in risk and insurance management, operations modelling, analysis and audit, investment analysis and energy market analysis and forecasting.
Maths and science are really important in this industry, says Singh. "I need to understand the physics behind how power generation assets function so I can communicate effectively with engineering and operations teams. I need operations research expertise and experience for overseeing projects that involve mathematical modelling and optimisation.
"My knowledge of operations research also helps me understand the workings of the New Zealand electricity market and why and to what extent various factors affect the market prices."
* Contact Angela McCarthy at angelamc@powerlink.co.nz
