Career Compass: Mathematical Sciences

Year 1 - 30 Credit Hours

Course requirements:

MATH 1220, MATH 1230, MATH 1232, MATH 1240, STAT 1150, and COMP 1010 or COMP 1012 (COMP 1012 is required for Math-Physics and Astronomy Joint Honours)

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Mathematics offers several joint Honours programs with other fields of study. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Science to help you plan your program.
2. Use UM Achieve by running "what-ifs" to explore different program options & corresponding requirements.
3. If you need academic support, visit the Math Help Centre or log on to UM Learn to access the LevelUp Program.

Year 2 - 60 Credit Hours

Course requirements:

Refer to the Academic Calendar for course requirements in your Honours or Major program

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor and career consultant to map out your options.
2. Meet with a Department Advisor and Academic Advisor to declare your Honours or Major program.
3. Consider taking a minor, and choosing courses that will open opportunities.

Year 3 - 90 Credit Hours

Course requirements:

Refer to the Academic Calendar for course requirements in your Honours or Major program.

To do this year:

1. Meet with your Department Advisor and an Academic Advisor for Honours or Major program approval.
2. Meet with your Co-op Advisor (if applicable).
3. Use UM Achieve to prepare a plan for registration.
4. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor and declare intent to graduate in Aurora (3-year option).

Year 4 - 120 Credit Hours

Course requirements:

Refer to the Academic Calendar for course requirements in your Honours or Major program.

To do this year:

1. Meet with your Department Advisor and an Academic Advisor for Honours or Major program approval.
2. Meet with your Co-op Advisor (if applicable).
3. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor and declare intent to graduate in Aurora (3-year option).

Year 1 - 30 Credit Hours

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a career consultant to generate career ideas based on your interests, values, personality and skills.
2. Research occupations that match your skills and interests.
3. Utilize UM Connect to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Access the UM Experiential Learning Catalogue to explore involvement opportunities on campus. Throughout your studies, access your Experience Record to track and reflect on your competencies.

Year 2 - 60 Credit Hours

Make professional connections:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs to connect with employers.
3. Become a Student Affiliate with the Canadian Mathematical Society.
4. Develop professional connections by attending the Mathematics Seminar Series.

Market your skills: Develop your resumé and cover letter and refine your interview skills.

Year 3 - 90 Credit Hours

Investigate your career options:

1. Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.
2. Develop employability and essential skills sought by employers.
3. Explore supports available to entrepreneurs for business planning including the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, World Trade Centre Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Government.
4. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals.

Consider continuing your studies: Check out the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Extended Education or other academic institutions.

Year 4 - 120 Credit Hours

Start job search 9 months in advance: Contact Career Services to refine your job search and self-marketing strategies. You can visit the office up to 6 months after graduation.

If you are continuing on to graduate school: Finalize your application materials and required tests. Use the awards database to search for funding and awards to help finance your continuing education. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadlines are advertised.

Year 1 - 30 Credit Hours

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include:

1. Student groups including Science Students' Association, Eigen Club, Actuarial Club and other student communities.
2. Volunteer for UM Orientation events to help welcome new students to campus while gaining experience and volunteer for Science, Engineering & Technology (SET) Day.
3. Student work opportunities including Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program.
4. Experiential education opportunities such as Mathletics and as Community Engaged Learning programs.

Year 2 - 60 Credit Hours

Explore student research opportunities: Apply for an Undergraduate Research Award, NSERC grant, and Manitoba eXperimental Mathematics Laboratory and inquire about research assistant positions.

Gain relevant work experience with: Science FUNdamentals, WISE Kid-Netic Energy, Canada Revenue Agency.

Earn while you learn: Consider applying to the Science Co-operative education program.

Year 3 - 90 Credit Hours

Continue or start research: Participate in the Undergraduate Research Showcase.

Check out volunteer opportunities with: Let's Talk Science, Volunteer Manitoba, or tutoring math at the Academic Learning Centre.

Search for job opportunities online: Check out UMConnect, Math-Jobs.org, CSIS, Accountingjobs.ca or other job boards.

Use your networks and connections: Inquire about unadvertised job openings (the "hidden job market") and receive mentorship from the Association of Women in Mathematics.

Year 4 - 120 Credit Hours

Ensure you have references in place: Ask your professor for a reference or a letter of recommendation if you're applying for graduate school.

Find opportunities to market yourself: Attend Tech Manitoba events and present your research at the Canadian Undergraduate Mathematics Conference and Canadian Mathematical Society Annual Meeting.

Assess your resumé: Identify any gaps in experience and fill them through volunteering, work placements or internships such as the Post-Secondary Recruitment Program.

Cultural experiences offer valuable exposure and learning opportunities that help us engage with and appreciate the diversity in our communities and future workplaces. Learn more about Indigenous and International communities at the University of Manitoba.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Engage in intercultural experiences: Visit the International Centre website to learn more about volunteer opportunities for UM students. Engage in Indigenous cultural learning by attending Indigenous events on campus.

Indigenous Student Programming: If you’re an Indigenous Student, explore supports and programs at the Indigenous Student Centre.  

Interested in studying abroad to gain intercultural experiences and skills employers want? Visit the student exchange programs website and book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator to learn more. Also learn about a full year abroad experience through McCall MacBain International Fellowships.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Applying for an international exchange program?  Students apply almost one year in advance of their exchange. Book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator on the exchange programs website to start the process.

Participate in cultural learning opportunities on campus: Participate in Indigenous learning opportunities such as Fireside Chats, Tea with Auntie, Indigenous Studies Colloquium, and other events within your faculty. Your active and respectful participation is welcome at Indigenous ceremonies on campus. Please note that some ceremonies are confidential spaces; feel free to ask about cultural protocols. 

Join a student community: There are many student groups at UM, including those that represent a wide variety of cultures and communities - the UM Indigenous Students’ Association (UMISA), UM International Students' Organization, and many more!  

Looking to learn a language? Visit the Language Centre for a variety of resources and join the Language Exchange program or Language Partner Volunteer Program.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Participate in the Intercultural Leaders program to enhance cultural awareness and develop intercultural skills for a variety of settings, both in and out of the classroom. Participate in 8 sessions with topics on leadership, self-awareness, intercultural competency, communication, conflict resolution and more.  

Volunteer at the International Centre’s Welcome Mentors program and/or Graduation Pow Wow.

Engage locally: Learn more about the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba and your responsibility as a Treaty partner. Enroll in Community Engaged Learning programs; Indigenous students may wish to explore programs such as Land and Water: Land-Based Education. 

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Expand your knowledge on Indigenous culture and protocols, including developing your own Territory Acknowledgement. Explore resources provided by Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and take part in the educational programming offered during Truth and Reconciliation Week!

Industries like aerospace, business, government, and financial services would value a mathematical sciences degree in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Numeracy & data use
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Oral & written communication
• Teamwork
• Digital literacy
• Industry specific knowledge
• Continuous learning

Use the UM Competencies Framework to reflect on skills you’ve developed throughout your academic and extracurricular experiences.  These may be discussed with employers during interviews and within your resumé/CV. 

*Information has been adapted from Employability Skills 2000⁺ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.