Ask HN: Are there programming jobs for Math PhDs?

#1

Post by shou4577 » Sat, Oct 06, 2012, 5:56 PM UTC

I'll be graduating with my PhD in Mathematics in a couple of years, and I'm really interested in moving to the software engineering/programming field (for those interested, it's not that I don't like academia, it's that I really like programming).

I'm no code expert, but I minored in Computer Science as an undergrad. I have experience in C++ and Python, and I'm currently learning Haskell and some web backend with Django. I would estimate that I have coding experience equivalent to someone graduating with a Bachelor's in CS from a small liberal arts college (that is to say, nothing note-worthy).

My question is: would anybody like to hire me? Math grad school has made me excellent at solving problems, learning new technologies, and communicating difficult ideas. But I'm definitely lacking in the experience division. Now I'm wondering if I would be a desirable candidate or not.

And I'm not fishing for job offers or specific companies - just want to know if you know anyone like me who has been hired, or who can't be hired.

Re: Ask HN: Are there programming jobs for Math PhDs?

#2

Post by Codhisattva » Sat, Oct 06, 2012, 5:59 PM UTC

Depending on your math interests you might find a coding career in computer vision, digital signal process or 3D graphics.

And there's always the "quants" on Wall St and high frequency trading algorithms. Boring in opinion but there out there.

You can always solve the experience problem. Just start coding.

Re: Ask HN: Are there programming jobs for Math PhDs?

#3

Post by jgrahamc » Sat, Oct 06, 2012, 5:59 PM UTC

I have a doctorate in computer security which was pretty much all mathematics and I would definitely hire someone like you. You'd need, of course, to show that you had an aptitude for programming, but at my company, CloudFlare, we have some big (as in interesting) problems that need solving. These big problems need smart people; a PhD in mathematics is an indicator of being fairly smart in a way we could likely use.

What sort of mathematics did you do? Clearly, if you have a good grounding in statistics there are lots of opportunities and the whole field of machine learning is mathematics that's been implemented in code.

Re: Ask HN: Are there programming jobs for Math PhDs?

#4

Post by bearmf » Sat, Oct 06, 2012, 6:05 PM UTC

Codhisattva wrote: post #2

Depending on your math interests you might find a coding career in computer vision, digital signal process or 3D graphics. And there's always the "quants" on Wall St and high frequency trading algorithms. Boring in opinion but there out there. You can always solve the experience problem. Just start coding.

Quant finance is very hard to get into at the moment.

Re: Ask HN: Are there programming jobs for Math PhDs?

#5

Post by actsasbuffoon » Sat, Oct 06, 2012, 6:07 PM UTC

I wouldn't worry. I don't even have a Bachelor's and I make a six figure salary as a developer. If I can manage it without a degree, then you should be fine with a PhD!

I know a few developers with degrees in pure and/or applied mathematics. Without exception they're extremely smart people who are very good at what they do. I doubt you'll have difficulty finding a good job.

Re: Ask HN: Are there programming jobs for Math PhDs?

#6

Post by bearmf » Sat, Oct 06, 2012, 6:11 PM UTC

You should also think of how your attitude might change when you have professionally programmed for several years. It is of course good to like programming. But doing real projects that have users other than yourself is very different from just programming for fun. This is the kind of experience everyone is looking for: finishing real projects.

Also, many software companies will see you as overqualified for what they are doing. For example they might assume you will easily get bored.

Re: Ask HN: Are there programming jobs for Math PhDs?

#7

Post by ig1 » Sat, Oct 06, 2012, 6:13 PM UTC

Yes. After CS the most common degrees for developers tend to be either Maths or Physics, there's plenty of maths grads working in software development.

Re: Ask HN: Are there programming jobs for Math PhDs?

#8

Post by shou4577 » Sat, Oct 06, 2012, 6:17 PM UTC

jgrahamc wrote: post #3

I have a doctorate in computer security which was pretty much all mathematics and I would definitely hire someone like you. You'd need, of course, to show that you had an aptitude for programming, but at my company, CloudFlare, we have some big (as in interesting) problems that need solving. These big problems need smart people; a PhD in mathematics is an indicator of being fairly smart in a way we could likely use.…

Thanks, that's really good to hear (I love big problems!)

My research is in abstract algebra (specifically Lie theory and algebraic geometry), which is pretty far removed from statistics or applied math in general.

Re: Ask HN: Are there programming jobs for Math PhDs?

#9

Post by shou4577 » Sat, Oct 06, 2012, 6:20 PM UTC

bearmf wrote: post #6

You should also think of how your attitude might change when you have professionally programmed for several years. It is of course good to like programming. But doing real projects that have users other than yourself is very different from just programming for fun. This is the kind of experience everyone is looking for: finishing real projects. Also, many software companies will see you as overqualified for what they…

Thanks for the warning. I'm working on a project right now that I should be releasing soon to help with the "real project" problem.

This is another thing I'm afraid of - being overqualified/people thinking that they are actually my backup job. Is there any way to combat this?

Re: Ask HN: Are there programming jobs for Math PhDs?

#10

Post by alinajaf » Sat, Oct 06, 2012, 6:24 PM UTC

If you're near a major city in the western world, I think it will take you about two weeks to find a job. You can spend the first two weeks of that visiting your favourite national park or beachside resort.

On the last Friday pick up the phone and call your three favourite tech companies in the area. In this market, in all likelihood, you will have an offer or three lined up by the next Monday afternoon.