Africa has the youngest population in the world, with a big percentage of them pursuing higher education. However, choosing a Master’s degree to pursue can be difficult, especially when one plans to have a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Due to the many options that make deciding on one specific degree tedious, understanding the skills which are offered by the degree is a big factor while choosing a degree effectively. This concern motivated us to inform people in STEM fields about what a Master’s in Mathematical Sciences can do after graduation.
What is a Master’s in Mathematical Sciences? From estimation, computation, approximation, modelling, data analysis and statistics, the Master’s in Mathematical Sciences allows one to understand the underpinning concepts of modern data science. One learns the key fundamental problem-solving skills needed to tackle the issues that Africa and our modern world face.
Many scientists choose to further advance their studies after their Master’s instead of joining the workforce, and this has proven to be an opener of several opportunities.
“I chose the Master’s in Mathematical Sciences because I had a background in mathematics and wanted to pursue a career in STEM, specifically Data Science. Additionally, pursuing this degree opens up doors to different scientific careers,” Gildus Habimana, AIMS Rwanda 2019 Alumnus.
Additionally, the Master’s in Mathematical Sciences degree is a stepping stone to pursuing a PhD in advanced mathematics or related fields such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and others. Specifically, at AIMS, students do a research project and write a scientific report under the supervision of an expert researcher as part of the course, which makes it easier to apply for PhDs, and excel, as they already possess the necessary research skills.
“Studying at AIMS helped me build the resilience, research, and scientific paper writing skills which enabled me to get a very competitive PhD scholarship by PASET,” Erick Nizeyimana, AIMS Cameroon 2014 Alumnus.
Apart from pursuing a PhD, one can join the workforce and use the skills acquired to solve problems for companies, businesses, and communities.
Here are some of the career options available for pursuit once attaining a Master’s in Mathematical Sciences:
Data Scientist: Data Scientists gather large sets of data and interpret the results to inform companies’ and institutions’ decisions. According to Linkedin, there is a prediction that by 2026 there will be 11.5 million jobs in this sector.
Data Analyst: Data Analysts do more than just look at numbers. They analyze data and use the findings to help businesses make effective decisions.
IT Analyst: IT Analysts analyze and confirm a company’s IT, technical and business needs. They can work internally or be a consultant on various IT projects.
Market Analyst: As a Market Analyst, one looks at information, quantitative and qualitative, and help the organization to make effective decisions about their market.
Financial Analyst: Financial Analysts study data and interpret it to help the business make better investment decisions.
Many people think that mathematicians can only teach or work in academic institutions. Not at all. With a degree in Master’s in Mathematical Sciences, one can do more than teach. From data science to the health sector to financial institutions, there are various career options one can choose to pursue with a degree in Mathematical Sciences. Data is said to be the new currency, and it will only continue to advance. As a young African, pursuing a Master’s in Mathematical Sciences does not only prepare you for a great future ahead, you become part of a generation that will potentially push Africa to the global scientific stage. We are grateful to be part of your scientific journey.