There are many career options for our future mathematicians, some prestigious and many highly paid. Here is a list of 6 Cold careers that require math along with a brief description of where they work, what they do, and how they use math.

1) Entertainer

Where do they work:
Animators work for cool companies like Disney and Pixar, but also for computer game companies, television production companies, and advertising companies, to name just a few.

What they do:
Animators produce a series of images that, when displayed in rapid succession, give the illusion of movement.

How they use math:
Animators use linear algebra to rotate, pan, and resize animated objects.

2) Cryptanalyst

Where do they work:
Cryptanalysts work for banks, governments, and computer companies.

What they do:
Cryptanalysts create and break codes to protect or access complex data systems.

How they use math:
Cryptanalysts solve high-level pure mathematical equations and design complex computer systems using numerical analysis.

3) Computer game designer
Where do they work:
Computer game designers work for software companies.

What they do:
Computer game designers design the content, rules, gameplay, setting, and story of video games.

How they use math:
Computer game designers must have a good understanding of game theory, the mathematical study of conflict and resolution, in order to devise game strategies.

4) IT

Where do they work:
Computer scientists work for Google, Apple, Microsoft, and many other hardware and software companies, large and small.

What they do:
Computer scientists create, describe, and transform information to produce computer hardware and software.

How they use math:
Computer scientists use algorithms, processes that carry out some sequences of operations, to create computer applications.

5) Forensic Scientist

Where do they work:
Forensic scientists work for detective agencies, department stores, local governments, legal services firms, employment service firms, insurance agencies, and banks.

What they do:
Forensic scientists use techniques such as fingerprinting, blood tests, forensic odontology, voice and speech spectrograms, and genetic fingerprinting to solve criminal cases.

How they use math:
Forensic scientists use mathematics to determine the position of the victim when the blood was spilled and even the type of weapon that caused the victim’s injury.

6) Director of special effects

Where do they work:
Special effects directors work on commercial, stage, television, and film sets.

What they do:
Special effects directors use machine props and scale models, as well as computer graphics to produce images that would not be possible otherwise.

How they use math:
Special effects directors use mathematics to express physical phenomena and their interactions. Powerful computing equipment, numerical methods, and algorithms are used to accomplish many of the spectacular feats in the visual effects industry.

So the next time you hear someone say how boring math is, tell them about this list of great people who use math in their daily work.