Mathematics Major Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2021
mathematics
Charlotte Cao
Majors: mathematics, quantitative economics
Hometown: Hangzhou, China
Graduate School: Northwestern University
Field of study: analytics
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
Student-faculty research on the retirement plans of Americans effected by the Great Recession in Summer 2019, a milestone on my career path as a data scientist, which enabled me to apply the quantitative knowledge that I have learned in the classroom and also settled my academic interest in data analytics.
Internship Experience
Data Analyst at HIKVISION, a world-leading digital tech company in China.
Irene Tang
Majors: mathematics, quantitative economics
Hometown: Beijing, China
Graduate School: New York University/University of Chicago
Field of study: financial engineering
Internship Experience
- Plug and Play China, Beijing, China - internship as venture analyst of Fintech Vertical.
- China International Capital Corporation Limited (CICC), Beijing, China - intern in the Investment Banking Department.
- Bank of China Head Office, Beijing, China - PTA in the Risk Management Department of the Global Marketing Division.
- Deloitte, Beijing, China - intern in the Auditing Department.
Luke Nicosia
Majors: archaeology, mathematics, classical studies
Hometown: Rochester, New York
Graduate School: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Field of study: applied archaeology
Employer: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Job title: historic collections graduate assistant
Job Responsibilities
Assisting Indiana University of Pennsylvania's (IUP) Anthropology Department on various projects related to their historic artifact collections.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
I think that Dickinson has prepared me in enabling me to improve myself as a person and professional from when I came in as a first-year. I have been able to have so many positive experiences and learning moments, specifically with figuring out the two big questions we tend to all face: who am I and what am I gonna do with my life? I feel that I've grown as a person as a result of the environment at Dickinson, and with few exceptions, I've been very fortunate to have had advisors to learn from and assist me on my way, especially when it came to figuring out what I wanted to do. I think I've also gotten a lot better about speaking to people. It may read like a confessional, but I've had a lot of difficulty speaking to new people, and the more I have progressed in my undergraduate career, the more I feel embarrassed about my high school self. But I feel my embarrassment in that regard is but a symptom of my personal growth, one I attribute to being here.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
Well, graduate school is probably at the top of my list. I'm working under an absolutely outstanding professor (Dr. Ben Ford)—whose professional career story, at least it would seem, is a lot similar to my own—at an incredible department at IUP, where I have ample opportunity to work and gain hands-on career experience purely as a result of my time and opportunities at Dickinson. This summer, I'm also going to be journeying around the Northeast for field school opportunities, something I've missed out on but definitely need to do. I'm going to be working under Dr. Ford immediately after graduation at a site in Pa. for about a month (which also involves renting my own house for the first time), and then going to another site in N.Y. for the remainder of the summer.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
I've listed a lot of them here already, the ones that are perhaps easiest and happiest for me to explain. I sometimes feel that the years have all gone by so fast, and that all the memories I have of such moments are hard to recall. I think for freshman year, my highlights were walking Hadrian's Wall in England on a trip sponsored by the Classics Department here at Dickinson, where I got to know one of my best friends; meeting professors I am very happy to have known, such as Adjunct Professor in Archeology Nikki Cummings, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology Maria Bruno, and The Asbury J. Clarke Professor of Classical Studies Christopher Francese; spending the first year trying a bunch of things, where I either liked them or hated them entirely; and hitting my first three pointer on a basketball court. Sophomore year, my highlights would include meeting Associate Professor of Classical Studies Jessica Romney and having an outstanding time in the three classes she taught while here; and having it be the first year where I felt I had solid friendships with people. Junior year, my internship was easily the most important part, as it led me to not only realize what I wanted to do, it gave me the notion of what I did not want to do, and was really the year where it all came together; being president of the Archaeology Club was also a big highlight of that year. And for this year, setting up the next 1-2 years of my life was perhaps the highlight for me.
Internship Experience
I worked for two internships during my time at Dickinson. The first was at the Cumberland County Historical Society in the archives under Blair Williams, on digitizing and transcribing some archival collections. I do not see myself necessarily going into archival work, but having the opportunity to read and learn about archival storage, as well as to have a long-term project that will constitute my making an impact on Carlisle in some small way, were surely benefits to my professional developments. My second internship, however, was incredibly defining for my career. I worked as a data entry intern for Pennsylvania's SHPO office, which is essentially the state-level office for archaeology. I worked under Hannah Harvey and Andrea Carr entering data for newly discovered archaeology sites in Pennsylvania, I got hands-on knowledge about artifact identification and description and learned a lot about archaeology in Pennsylvania, something I will be using for years to come. Yet, what I got out of this internship far exceeds the year I spent working there, and I am still in contact with both of these outstanding individuals to this day. Mrs. Harvey was an alumna of the applied archaeology program at IUP, and it was through her I found out about it and fell in love with it, and I really do owe it to the internship I had there that it was the only reason I managed to secure a GA and acquire substantial funding! But, perhaps most importantly, having this internship encouraged me to do things I had never done before. I wrote my first resume, had my first interview, wrote my first cover letter, commuted to work into an urban environment, parallel parked like an expert on a narrow side street, and experienced a workplace environment for the first time, and having that bedrock is so essential as I take the next step.
Kate Erfle
Majors: mathematics, computer science
Hometown: Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Employer: Enterprise Knowledge, LLC
Job title: developer
Job Responsibilities
Knowledge management. Working closely with databases, taxonomies and ontologies within contracted companies to organize information and create more efficient databases. Other software development/website development work as applicable between client interaction.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
Dickinson strengthened my problem-solving skills and gave me a unique perspective on the world and issues I will come across. The classes I have taken have helped me become an independent learner yet also a great team player. Dickinson helped me discover what I am passionate about and what I could see myself doing for the rest of my life.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I'm really excited to be working in larger software systems (than we work with in class) and directly be impacting clients and users with the code that I am developing.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
Being on the Dickinson swim team because I met some of the most hardworking, kind and incredible friends ever. Also studying abroad in Germany because I was exposed to so many new and exciting experiences (and also because I met some really great friends!).
Internship Experience
I interned for two summers with my now employer, Enterprise Knowledge, LLC, in Arlington, Virginia. I worked on several projects varying from developing a website to implementing features on a recommendation system for a client. I also externed in Bethesda, Maryland, at Employee Navigator, LLC, during my sophomore year at Dickinson. During this externship, I was exposed to the design and creation of HR software products.
Zolboo Erdenebaatar
Majors: computer science, mathematics
Hometown: Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Graduate School: Dalhousie University
Field of study: computer science
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
The Dickinson liberal-arts education has allowed me to express myself completely and discover what I like and what I want to do. It also provided me with the necessary mentorship to be a better person.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I want to make a difference in any way possible, and that is what I am most excited about.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
The most defining moments of my Dickinson experience are the ones that I spent getting know people that are different than me and building connections with them.
Internship Experience
I worked as a technical support staff at JHU CTY on Dickinson’s campus during the summer of 2019. I was responsible for handling the IT duties for this summer school.
Nina Spoelker
Majors: mathematics, quantitative economics
Hometown: Braddock, Pennsylvania
Employer: Enterprise Knowledge, LLC
Job title: analyst
Job Responsibilities
I will be working in the strategy branch of a knowledge management firm, where we help to organize and streamline the flow of information between employees of an institution/company/organization with a focus on advanced technological solutions and artificial intelligence.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
Through my liberal-arts education at Dickinson, I've learned basic skills like how to write emails, how to work well in groups and how to lead meetings—all things that will come in handy at my new job. I owe my current peace of mind to Dickinson and its students, past and current, and the faculty I've had throughout the years.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I look forward to moving to a new place and experiencing what life is like after attending school for so long—I'm excited to begin my career in the real world!
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
My first defining moment at Dickinson was leading the Theatre Pre-Orientation as a sophomore first-year mentor (FYM). I was so honored to be hired as a FYM, and being able to guide the incoming first-years after having participated in the program myself was a dream come true. I was also proud when I was inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta and the first time I stage managed a mainstage production for the Department of Theatre & Dance. And many prospective Dickinsonians have reached out to me after being featured as a Student Snapshot, which has given me the chance to connect yet again with incoming first-years—a perfect way to end my Dickinson career!
Externship Experience
I completed an externship through Dickinson during Winter Break my sophomore year. I worked with the Office of Student Life and Engagement at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I shadowed the head of the department as she attended meetings, solved problems that arose and met with possible organizers for events on campus. Essentially, I watched her excel at project management.
Bridget Williams
Majors: mathematics, quantitative economics
Hometown: Ellicott City, Maryland
Employer: T. Rowe Price
Job title: business analyst
Job Responsibilities
Working with T. Rowe Price's Client Data Rebuild team to work on data quality issues in company data.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
Because of my Dickinson education, I am super confident in myself and my abilities. My degrees allow me to enter a competitive job market with transferable skills and experience. The leadership experience gained through my endeavors on campus has given me the ability to lead with precision and grace.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I am excited to start to build my career and apply the skills I've learned in the classroom in a larger context.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
My time in Delta Nu, my classes with Associate Professor of Economics Anthony Underwood, my time as a tour guide and working for Admissions.
Internship Experience
Global technology intern at T. Rowe Price: worked with Client Data Rebuild team on company data issues and learned new programming languages.
Ben Gold
Major: mathematics
Hometown: Tenafly, New Jersey
Employer: Strategic Research Insights
Job title: business data analyst
Job Responsibilities
Work in small teams to successfully guide sales and marketing strategy for pharmaceutical clients. Primarily focus on analyzing primary research data with state-of-the-art data analysis tools and developing regression models to predict prescription behavior. Also responsible for analyzing large-scale prescription data from pharmaceutical companies and blending with primary research data.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
I am well-rounded due to a liberal-arts degree, as in I believe my writing/communication abilities are higher than my peers in technical schools. Additionally, I can now hit a volleyball well, which will allow me to play in adult volleyball leagues.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I will become independent of my parents in terms of living.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
Waking up at 5 a.m. to play in a volleyball tournament for the Men's Volleyball Club, getting a lovely girlfriend, studying abroad for half a semester in Spain (because of COVID-19), and interviewing prospective professors as a part of the Math/CS Majors Committee.
Internship Experience
- Shift Markets, Manhattan, N.Y., June 2019 - July 2019 - summer research intern: Conducted market research looking for potential clients in real estate and venture capital. Researched possible links for profit in different fiat to cryptocurrency transactions using Excel.
- Visiting Nurse Service of New York, Bronx, N.Y., June 2018 - August 2018 - student intern/Article 31 Community Mental Health Services: Implemented Excel skills on 1000-row datasets by filing insurance and billings for the clinic. Improved process efficiency by 50%. Communicated in both Spanish and English to help clients.
Kat Pham
Majors: quantitative economics, mathematics
Hometown: Hanoi, Vietnam
Graduate School: University of Paris 1 - Patheon Sorbonne
Field of study: Erasmus Mundus - Models and Methods of Quantitative Economics
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
I think that my experience at Dickinson really has opened my eyes to many issues of the world, and being an international student, my years at Dickinson have trained me to be more self-reliant and more curious about the world—the different cultures that I have encountered, the social movements that I have observed. The things that I learned here are sometimes intellectual—how to express my thoughts eloquently or how to challenge ideas—and sometimes social—how to host an event or how to work with others. At Dickinson, I have also met people who showed me compassion and kindness beyond their duties, and their actions forever inspire me to become generous in the future. Before coming to Dickinson, I was just a teenager worrying about the outside world. After four years of Dickinson, the world is still as uncertain and ever-changing as it was, but now I am more confident in myself.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
The opportunity to travel to different places and learn new things. My graduate programs allow me to study in different locations in Europe, and I can't wait to practice speaking French again! I think another important thing that I anticipate in my future after Dickinson is the chance to challenge what I have learned and to define who I am.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
- International Orientation Week, where I made a lot of friends from different countries.
- Becoming a writing tutor.
- Studying abroad in Toulouse, France, and abruptly coming back to campus once COVID hit.
- Traveling with friends to different places during spring break.
- Seeing my friends again in the spring semester after being alone for the entire fall semester.
- Working on my papers in the library until 2 a.m. in the morning.
- Attending the "What's a Good Life?" retreat.
Is there any other information you would like us to know?
I think I have walked a meaningful journey at Dickinson. There were ups and downs—things that I wished I had known better, things that I wished could have happened differently, but also things that made me happy, things that helped me realize that I am living a good life.
Internship Experience
- Actuarial intern at Equitable Life Insurance Company (June 2020 - August 2020), remote due to COVID-19.
- Accounting intern at Fujitsu Vietnam Ltd. (May 2019 - August 2019) in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Ruby Stricker
Majors: anthropology, mathematics
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Employer: Alto IRA
Job title: Transaction Team - associate
Job Responsibilities
Facilitate transfers for clients, communicate with banks and provide client support.
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
- Broader worldview.
- Research/writing skills.
- Communication plus professional world skills.
- Network of supportive faculty, staff and peers.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
- Applying my studies.
- Using Dickinson connections.
- Working abroad.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
- Study abroad.
- Being a student athlete/racing for Dickinson.
Internship Experience
Tennessee Holocaust Commission, educational programming intern - wrote lesson plans, catalogued book collections and provided research support.
Cindy Zheng
Major: mathematics
Hometown: Beijing, China
Graduate School: Columbia University
Field of study: financial engineering
How has Dickinson prepared you for life after graduation?
The Department of Math & Computer Science equipped me with skills and strong mathematical background to succeed in my field.
What are you most anticipating about your career or post-graduate pursuits?
I'm looking forward to transitioning to the industry from academics.
What are some of the defining moments of your Dickinson experience?
One of them is the moment that the department announced the Forrest E. Craver Memorial Prize at the major dinner held by the Department of Math & Computer Science. It's definitely a defining moment especially because it was my last semester at Dickinson. I'm very thankful for the department's support and recognition.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published April 30, 2021