Our students go on to a wide variety of careers or further study. Recent examples include as:
Each year a number of vacation scholarships are offered to our students, usually at the end of their third year. These provide an opportunity to work closely with a mathematician on a short project. This can be a very good way to explore a topic that is outside the normal curriculum and to get a taste of independent research.
In 2012 Ruth Penny's project resulted in this article in The Actuary on the UK's only independent savings bank.
A few years ago Alan Rankine was selected to present the results of his summer project at the Universitas 21 Undergraduate Research Conference at the University of Queensland in Australia.
"My main motivation for studying mathematics was the opportunities that a degree in this field could open up due to the diverse skills set that it requires; studying mathematics at Edinburgh has allowed me to explore a number of different subjects, encompassing a wide variety of areas, whilst allowing me to develop both my group work and presentation skills.
The main attraction for studying at Edinburgh was the resounding welcoming feeling I experienced throughout all the applicant visit days and this attitude, along with the department’s ongoing support, is something which I think makes the School of Mathematics unique. Drop-in help sessions and group study spaces, available in the department, encourage students to work together to solve problems throughout the course of their degree and it is important when studying such a challenging subject, that you are able to get help when required. These resources have not only provided me with a life line when I have been stuck, but have also given me the opportunity to make friends with fellow students throughout the years.
My keen interest in statistics encouraged me to apply to complete a Summer Project which involved working closely with members of teaching staff to analyse diagnostic test data. I have found this experience invaluable, especially going into my fourth year where I now have to complete an individual project for my Honours degree.
I regularly visited the Careers Service throughout my third year for help with writing my CV and preparing for interviews. As a result I secured an 11-week global internship with Ernst and Young which saw me travelling to places such as New York, Boston and Florida, working within their Assurance department. Fingers crossed that all goes to plan, on completion of my degree I will join the firm as a trainee Actuary, which I hope will allow me to further my mathematical knowledge...whilst getting paid to do something I enjoy!"
Caitlin Stronach. Fourth Year Student.
