Math: The gateway to Great Careers Rob Ploutz-Snyder, PhD UUniiversiittiies SSpace RResearchh AAssociiattiion NASA Johnson Space Center What I’ll Talk About Today • Why I think that math is important for everyone iin tthhiis room • “CCoommmmoonn DDeennoommiinnaattoorrss” ooff GGrreeaatt CCaarreeeerrss • An example of how I use math at NASA 2 Career versus Job • Career is defined by the Oxford English DDiiccttiioonnaarryy aass aann iinnddiivviidduuaall''ss ""ccoouurrssee oorr pprrooggrreessss through life (or a distinct portion of life)". It is uussuuaallllyy ccoonnssiiddeerreedd ttoo ppeerrttaaiinn ttoo rreemmuunneerraattiivvee work (and sometimes also formal education). • A job is a regular activity performed in exchange for payment, usually as one's occupation. The duration of a job may range from an hour …to a lifetime …The series of jobs a person holds in their life is their career. Career. (2010, January 28). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:36, March 3, 23010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Career&oldid=340497790 Career versus Job • Most of us use the two terms iintterchhangeabblly – But when yyou think about it, theyy are different • AAge rellattes tto whhiichh you hhave andd whhiichh you want to have • MMyy ggooaall iiss ttoo ggeett yyoouu tthhiinnkkiinngg aabboouutt wwhhaatt Career you want to develop, and about charting your path 4 What makes a great career? • It depends on what matters to you, but tthhere are some common tthhiings tthhatt many people value… • WWhhatt are some tthhiings tthhatt YYOOUU consiidder important in a career? 5 …Things to consider… • Salary & Benefits • Job Security • HHoouurrss • FFlleexxiibbiilliittyy • Physical Demands • Predictability • MMenttall DDemandds • TTravell RRequiirementts • Skill Sets Required • Family-Friendly • Education Required • Prestige • WWoorrkk EEnnvviirroonnmmeenntt • OOppppoorrttuunniittiieess ffoorr Advancement • Stress •• IInntteerreessttiinngg!! • HHiirriinngg OOuttllooookk • Co-workers • Sense of Worth 6 …Things to consider… • Salary & Benefits • Job Security • HHoouurrss • FFlleexxiibbiilliittyy • Physical Demands • Predictability • MMenttall DDemandds • TTravell RRequiirementts • Skill Sets Required • Family-Friendly • Education Required • Prestige • WWoorrkk EEnnvviirroonnmmeenntt • OOppppoorrttuunniittiieess ffoorr Advancement • Stress •• IInntteerreessttiinngg!! • HHiirriinngg OOuttllooookk • Co-workers • Sense of Worth 7 What are some great careers? • Again, it depends on what matters to you, bbutt whhen askkedd, many peoplle rattttlle offff tthhe same short list… • WWhhatt ddo you tthhiinkk iis on tthhatt lliistt???? 8 What are some great careers? • JobsRated.com evaluated 200 jobs in 22001100, consiidderiing ffiive ““CCore CCriitteriia”” – Environment, Income, Outlook, Stress, Physical Demands • EEaacchh ooff tthheessee ccrriitteerriiaa hhaadd sseevveerraall components to them (ex. “income” included salary data pplluuss ggrroowwtthh ppootteennttiiaall)) • 200 Jobs were rated in each Core Criteria, andd an overallll score was creattedd so tthhatt jobs could be ranked. 9 http://www.careercast.com/jobs/content/jobs-rated-methodology-2010 “Top-10” Careers? 1. Actuary Interprets statistics to determine probabilities of accidents, sickness, and death, and loss of property from theft and natural disasters. 2. Software Engineer Researches, designs, develops and maintains software systems along with hardware development for medical, scientific, and industrial purposes. 3. Computer Systems Analyst Plans and develops computer systems for businesses and scientific institutions 4. Biologist Studies the relationship of plants and animals to their environment. 5. Historian Analyzes and records historical information from a specific era or according to a particular area of expertise. 6. Mathematician Applies mathematical theories and formulas to teach or solve problems in a business, educational, or industrial climate. 77. PPaarraalleeggaall AAssssiissttaanntt AAssssiissttss aattttoorrnneeyyss iinn pprreeppaarraattiioonn ooff lleeggaall ddooccuummeennttss;; ccoolllleeccttiioonn ooff depositions and affidavits; and investigation, research and analysis of legal issues. 8. Statistician Tabulates, analyzes, and interprets the numeric results of experiments and surveyys. 9. Accountant Prepares and analyzes financial reports to assist managers in business, industry and government. 1100. DDeennttaall HHyyggiieenniisstt AAssssiissttss ddeennttiissttss iinn ddiiaaggnnoossttiicc aanndd tthheerraappeeuuttiicc aassppeeccttss ooff aa ggrroouupp oorr private dental practice. 10