8
onu news A (sine)
times
of the
W By K ate M organ
We’ve heard the reports: unemployment numbers continue to rise; job market is bleak.
lready seeing initial success. This summer, two of three students a passed the first actuarial exam on their first attempt. The national exam pass rate is between 30 and 40 percent.
In fact, many we know are living the statistics.
It all adds up
As with actuaries, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a grow But amidst the doom and gloom, there’s ing demand for math teachers through 2016, with a 12 percent increase in employment. hope for students in the growing Department For Allyson Schoenbein ’13, a desire to be a high school teacher originally meant a career in history education. But the job forecast changed her mind. of Mathematics. “I talked to a college adviser who told me the job outlook for history teachers wasn’t very good,” she says. “After seeing my math “It is true that majoring in mathematics gives a better chance test scores, he suggested I go into math education. Since I’ve alof job security than some other fields,” says Dale Hathaway, chairways liked math, and schools are in need of good math teachers, man of the Department of Mathematics. “In a tough economy, a I decided to major in math education.” major in mathematics is a type of insurance against job loss. It’s Allyson knows firsthand success stories of Olivet math educanot a guarantee, but it helps.” tion students — two of her high school math teachers graduated Indeed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 15 of the from the University. 20 fastest-growing careers in the next decade will require math “I came from a high school that has high standards for their and science proficiency. teachers, so I knew that Olivet must have properly prepared them With that in mind, it may come as no surprise that numbers are for their jobs,” she says. up within the Department of Mathematics. This Preparing for the job, both inside and outside fall, 24 new majors entered the department — of the classroom, is a key element for the departabout double the number for most other years. ment’s and the students’ success. Even with a What makes a job a Dale points to two specific areas in which he’s positive job forecast, the market is competitive. “best” or “worst” job? seeing growth: the new actuarial science pro “We have an active math club that meets to gram and mathematics education. explore areas of recreational mathematics,” Dale In a study released by says. “Certain math club activities, which can be careercast.com in January used in high school classrooms for enrichment, 2009, 200 professions The actuarial science program is filling a often help give our students an edge over their were ranked void at just the right moment, as the Bureau of competition.” according to Labor Statistics believes employment within the When Mark Lynn ’13 was looking for a comfive criteria: field will increase by an astonishing 24 percent petitive edge, he chose to become involved in environment, through 2016. For students with an interest in another opportunity available to majors within income, math, the program offers a career they may not the department. employment, outlook, have thought of before. “I’m working in the math lab, tutoring colphysical demands and “I’ve known for several years that I wanted lege students with problems they are having in stress. to do something related to math, I just didn’t math,” he explains. “I feel this will prepare me The top three best jobs? know what,” says Sarah Langeland ’13. “After to be a teacher and give me one up on some talking to my high school math teacher, I did other candidates who will be applying for the 1. Mathematician some research and talked with an actuary in my same jobs.” 2. Actuary town. The job seemed to fit what I wanted to do Whatever their plans for success, the new3. Statistician in the future.” est members of the Department of Mathematics As Dale Hathaway says, At first, Sarah was hesitant to enroll at Olivet, are certainly focused on success in the job “When essentially one field as it would take her out of state to a place where market. captures the top three she didn’t know anyone. But the draw of the “I take my math and education courses spots on a jobs rating list, program eventually reeled her in. seriously because I know these subjects are it’s bound to draw attention “Olivet is one of the few Christian schools that crucial to my career,” Allyson says. “I am learnto the opportunities has an actuarial science major,” she explains. ing that it is vital to not only learn the material available in that area.” While the actuarial science major has not for the test, but to really take the time to underbeen formally marketed yet, the program is stand it.”
A premium education
w
w
w
.
o
l
i
v
e
t
.
e
d
u