Math degree, Ivy League grad -- need advice for a late 30s male
Any advice would be appreciated, so here goes. I graduated from an "Ivy League" in the early 2000s. My major was Math with a minor in Pol. Sci (International Relations). I then decided to move to Europe where, admittedly, I basically "lived it up" and only taught English (with very good salaries, nonetheless). I also have a Masters in Pure Math from a British uni. I returned to the US 2 years ago and the only jobs I've been able to get are college adjunct positions. It pays well (for me) and the hours are ok...but I want to know at this stage what other job possibilities I have with my background. I had an excellent GPA, have no student debt to worry about and, at least academic wise, stellar credentials. I want a Math-related job, but not as an adjunct. I also have my own tutoring business, but it's more a side thing (I have an excellent reputation as a Math instructor). I believe that for me, IB is basically a no go (plus I'm not really interested in that kind of life) and I do not want an MBA. Since I did not follow the typical American "career paths", I believe that truly hurt me and contributes to my current predicament. Yes, I freely made those choices and I learned so many things that many people who have not lived in several countries would never know, but I do think that here in the US, that kind of background is seen as "interesting" but not necessarily for a company to hire me. I have seen a lot of Quant type jobs, but those require programming skills which I do not have (I did Pure Math, nothing in Programming). I feel that although I'm "ok" with my current job, I could do a LOT better both salary wise and otherwise due to my particular skills. Any thoughts?
Can’t really tell if you’re lowkey justifying choosing the teaching and living abroad over going into IB, or if this is a genuine question...
Nope, not "justifying" anything - I am simply bored of teaching and want something better (better for me means either more challenging or higher pay or a combination of the two). Yes, my question is genuine. Even if I wanted to get into IB (which is not the case) -- 1) I'm too old already and 2) I do not have an MBA nor want one. I'm sure there must be a job out there for a Math major that doesn't require programming skills other than instructor.
Any interest in consulting? I know that’s a broad category of career but clearly you’re smart and you’d generate interest assuming your other “stats” are good. I didn’t get in myself but I did get interest from a large firm and went through the process at about the same age, and would say my background was less ‘standard’
a few general thoughts.
It sounds like you don't know what you want to do. That's totally fine. Most of us don't and are stumbling around. The difference is that your experience isn't too "professional". This can be overcome for sure.
If you went to an Ivy, great. Surely that Ivy must have a network. Linkedin, School alum website etc. I would think that starting there and meeting as many local alums in as many different industries for coffees/casual info interviews would be a good first step. You have life experience and stories that many and most do not have. "Interesting" is tough since many you meet will be envious, jealous, bored with their work etc. They may not show it but after a while you will get a sense of it... Others will be like "that's awesome, I wish I did that" or "Super cool, I'm sure that can translate into something." Someone will see it and like it. Pay/role at first may be junior but you can move up fast if you prove yourself.
If you are a good teacher and can explain tough concepts to regular people and deal with all kinds of people, that screams sales, consultant, product dev/manager. That could be across many industries or finance or tech or whatever.
TLDR - tap your local alumni network as much as possible to learn about what sounds interesting. There are many possibilities. Explore. Take it from there. It will take time and hard work.
Also feel free to PM me.
Good Luck
Good advice shared here. Just curious that what did you learn from diff people when you were living in diff countries? I’ve spent many years in states, Europe and Asia myself. Would love to hear your take
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