Employability and Professional Skills

Successful career planning starts early - researching the options available to you, thinking about the types of jobs you might be interested in, considering the type of life you want to lead - understanding yourself is the first step to thinking about your future career.

Through the mathematics programme, students will develop strong logical problem solving, data analysis and numeracy skills.  Yet in today's competitive employment marketplace, it is important that graduates not only have a strong degree, but can show evidence of other transferable skills: leadership, networking, logical thinking, written and verbal communication skills, experience with presentations and team work. Job seekers should understand the functions of business and their role within it, able to manage and organise their time according to the needs of the business.

Skills Development During Your Degree

In the Mathematics Department, we understand the needs for students to gain additional experience and expertise alongside their mathematical knowledge and select activities are arranged to help students gain various professional skills.  

For example, communication and oral presentation skills are developed through the Year 1 and 2 end-of-year projects, where these, alongside the Year 3 optional research project and year 4 full year project also teach many different aspects of scientific writing whilst providing training in proper referencing, searching the technical literature, critical thinking and review and the avoidance of plagiarism. Team work is developed through the Year 2 group project and students are encouraged to create study groups to help with the understanding of their lecture material.  Programming skills are taught to all Year 1 students through Python and LaTeX mathematical typesetting workshops are also offered, providing students with invaluable technical skills. Students can further their programming skills in Years 2-4 through optional modules.

In addition to the projects that students are required to complete as part of their studies, select students may consider applying for a summer Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP). UROPs allow students to work alongside the research groups in the department, learning more about what it means to do research full-time, and sometimes even being able to participate in a project that leads to publication. 

The Department has strong links with the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), encouraging membership for all undergraduates who wish to join.

The Department actively encourages students to take part in external activities to enhance their experience and CV:

• the College's Horizons programme allows students to take an additional module in areas such as business, professional skills and languages
• the Union's numerous societies and activities allow for broadening one's experience, social networking and leadership opportunities, as well as providing volunteering opportunites to gain valuable experience whilst helping others
• students are supported through the College careers service to seek summer internship places to provide work experience and a stepping stone to industry

Arijit

Best thing about Imperial? Becoming more of a global citizen, perhaps? I have been able to take part in a number of international trips during my time here: after my first year I went on a summer trip to the United States with the Union’s Chess Society, where we competed against other clubs after having become British Uni champions. In addition, I undertook research at a Canadian university during the summer after my second year, where I worked under a professor’s supervision on improving search engine performance through linear algebra and applied probability. My placement was organised and funded by Imperial and I had a great time getting to know a different country with its culture (and mountains!). In addition, I went to China that summer to participate in a cultural programme at a Chinese university with other British students. In particular, I learned more Mandarin, which I had first encountered through Horizons courses at Imperial. Also, socialising with friends from many different countries has been one of the most special things during my time at Imperial, as it has enabled me to broaden my horizons. I have enjoyed getting to know others’ perspectives on issues such as politics and just life in general, so can say that I’ve expanded my worldview quite a bit here.