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PsychonautQQ
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Hey PF. I was wondering if anyone could talk about become a Math Professor for me. My physics professors saying physics professorships are very competitive, is Math the same way?
PsychonautQQ said:I want to start my long quest to become a Math Professor at age 24. Is it too late?
I won't say it's an easy or likely outcome, but Edward Witten started math/physics only when he was 23 (at 20, he had finished a history degree, and worked in politics for a while).
I want to start my long quest to become a Math Professor at age 24. Is it too late?
homeomorphic said:aying that you like math enough to get a PhD in it is like saying you like pizza so much that you want someone to lock you in a room with 20 extra large pizzas and to not let you out until you have eaten them in one sitting.
PsychonautQQ said:Let me restate my question properly: I'm 24 years old and have only taken my calculus courses and one semester of differential equations. Let's say that hypothetically I'm not delusional and have the intelligence necessary to complete advanced graduate school courses. I guess my question is how turned off would universities be by the fact that I was so far beyond in terms of experience/research/everything age-wise, comparing myself to an 18 year old who starts graduate school at 22.
Is age a big deal?
Also, how much does the fact that I'm social and likable (well geez I am) factor into the ability to get a job?
homeomorphic and ParticleGrl, while there is certainly a large element of truth on your metaphor about "liking math to get a PhD", how exactly is this any different than pursuing a PhD in any other field?
I would add that the demand for may differ between different branches of math. For example, I would suspect (although I don't have the data on hand to back this up) that there is a greater demand in academia for those with a background in applied math than those who specialized in pure math (particularly those with a background in computational math, optimization or probability).
Related to this is the overall greater demand for economists, statisticians, industrial engineers/operations researchers and computer scientists in academia (since all four fields are heavy users of math, and it is not unheard of for applied math PhDs to find themselves pursuing research in any of these fields).
To become a math professor, you typically need at least a Master's degree in mathematics. However, many universities prefer candidates with a Ph.D. in mathematics. In addition to a degree, you will also need a strong background in math, teaching experience, and research publications.
There are several ways to gain teaching experience. You can work as a teaching assistant during your graduate studies, volunteer as a tutor or mentor, or apply for adjunct or part-time teaching positions. You can also gain experience by giving guest lectures or workshops at local schools or universities.
While research experience is not always a requirement, it is highly valued by universities when hiring math professors. Conducting research shows your ability to think critically and contribute to the field of mathematics. It also demonstrates your potential to secure research grants and publish papers, which are essential for tenure-track positions.
Aside from strong mathematical skills, a successful math professor needs excellent communication and presentation skills to effectively teach and explain complex concepts to students. They should also possess organization, time management, and problem-solving skills. Being patient, approachable, and adaptable are also essential qualities for a math professor.
The job market for math professors can be competitive, especially for tenure-track positions at top universities. However, there is a high demand for math professors in community colleges and smaller universities. Having a strong educational background, teaching experience, and research publications can increase your chances of obtaining a math professor position.