Graduating with Maths Degree - unsure of next steps

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DS will be graduating with Maths degree in 2025 but unsure what to do next. He's not set on a specific career path yet but keen to find something that uses his skills of problem solving/ analytical thinking.
What would be the best way for him to explore his options ? Graduate schemes, internships etc ?
If anyone has any insight into industries or pathways that might suit a Maths graduate , I would really be grateful for your advice.

When we did some kind of careers computer test back in the 80s about 75% of us studying maths got suggested meteorologist.
Does his university not have a careers service?
I became a software engineer.

Actuary is a good job with decent salaries and using maths

Accountant.

Most offer summer internships so he can try it.

Actuary is much more mathematical and again internships are possible.

Many consultancies - eg pA consulting use maths graduates for modelling.

Tax consultant is a great career. It's interesting and well paid.

His university should have a careers service with detailed aptitude assessments etc.

On the other hand, there's zero harm kicking the decision a bit further down the road with a funded postgraduate degree. Is he going to get a first?

https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/study-here/postgraduate-study/scholarships

He can even stay on forever and do a PhD! The beauty of maths is that he is more likely to get funding than if he was wild about, say, Victorian Studies.

He did think of Actuary but I think he wants a break from studying and Actuary requires to study for specific professional actuarial exams ... he might change his mind. Oh and stats not one of his favorite subjects at Uni.

The world is your oyster with a maths degree.
I have a great deal of admiration for maths graduates

Great suggestions- Tax consultant sounds good.

I know one that earns £450k tax free. Tell him to aim high.

@Lampzade , I know, me too .. I wonder sometimes if he was swapped at birth 😂

Interested as DD is hoping to begin an integrated Masters in maths and physics next year. She said they seemed very keep on emphasising banking, economics and jobs such as an actuary at some open days.

Wow, ok, will definitely pass the message . Thank you !

I’m a maths grad, and I’m an actuary. Definitely recommend. Exams are hard but worth it for the salary.

I was just about to suggest that DS start with his Careers Service.

I also recommend the book What Colour is Your Parachute?. It is older now, so the details are dated. But it is a classic for a reason. I would expect a mathematician to be able to extract the core principles and find it helpful.

If DS is at all interested in financial things or, more broadly, in the notion of quantifying risk, he might want to look into the actuarial profession. Although it might not sound exciting to us as outsiders, it always ranks at or near the top in job satisfaction. A slightly unusual thought worth considering?

I have heard that in decommissioning Sellafield there may be a call for hiring a large cohort of mathematicians and computer scientists. Just gossip, but if it appeals it might be worth looking into.

Best wishes to DS. Mathematicians don’t have the ready made pathways of some in STEM but they do tend to be very happy in their work once they find it - it just takes a little while to find a great fit.

So, everyone is recommending the actuarial profession! With good reason, one suspects

If DS enjoyed his applied course modules he might also be able to work alongside scientists doing mathematical modelling. An MSc might be a helpful qualification for this, or for a job with Big Data. The latter is moving somewhat towards the Statistics he did not love but it is s very hot field.

Sorry to hijack, but would a Chemistry graduate (predicted first from 'top 10' university) be able to get into actuarial training? Course included a lot of physics, maths and modelling.

Loads of excellent choices for maths grads. Can you share more OP? What uni, likely degree class, A level grades?

How much competition is there among maths graduates?

My ds is mad about maths and uni is a long way down the line but I can't imagine it's that popular. Is that just me??

100% most people are maths or economics degree background but next most popular id say is engineering, physics, chemistry etc. I’ve even come across someone who did geography and someone else who did classics! You do need to have maths at a level though.

Most graduate schemes will require some study towards professional qualifications so worth bearing that in mind, he’s unlikely to get away with a complete break from
study right away.

Thanks @HooMoo .

Except the work is predominantly law based rather than numbers.

He needs to apply to some grad schemes - see what's out there. He'll have missed the deadline for some though.

He’s missed the boat for internships, those were for the summers between first and second year.

2025 Grad scheme deadlines are closing now as well so he better get his skates on if he wants to apply.