AP Computer Science

[Rule]

Math would be interesting, but pretty much all you could do is become a professor which would suck as a job.

Why?  Having tenure so you can say or do pretty much anything you want, work as much or as little as you want, work on whatever you find interesting, and get paid $150,000-$300,000+ to do it, oh and get flown around the world about 5-6 times a year to go talk about how great you are for doing whatever you please, as well as having the opportunity to get famous and internationally respected doing something that is intellectually stimulating, and to leave an indelible mark on a profound subject, wait.. I guess you have a point.  That all sounds like it sucks to me.

And if you don't want to be a professor, you could:
A) Do mathematical biology (modeling disease spread, etc)
B) Do financial mathematics (most such jobs calling for a PhD in pure math start with salaries of ~$300000 US/year)
C) Do medical physics (designing MRI machines, etc)
D) Work for the military
E) Work for NASA
etc.

[rabbit]

F) Invent RSA and never have to work again.

[iago]

Math would be interesting, but pretty much all you could do is become a professor which would suck as a job.

Why?  Having tenure so you can say or do pretty much anything you want, work as much or as little as you want, work on whatever you find interesting, and get paid $150,000-$300,000+ to do it, oh and get flown around the world about 5-6 times a year to go talk about how great you are for doing whatever you please, as well as having the opportunity to get famous and internationally respected doing something that is intellectually stimulating, and to leave an indelible mark on a profound subject, wait.. I guess you have a point.  That all sounds like it sucks to me.

Despite the benefits, I would hate to be a professor. I mean, you have to teach and research, both of which I'd hate doing for any length of time.

[Rule]

Well, once you have tenure you don't really have to do anything.  And I find it hard to dislike research when it becomes "research on whatever you want".   In most jobs where you have to think, you're encouraged or have to do some sort of research.  It's the same with being a tenured professor, except you don't have to do the research, and you are more free to choose what kind of research you want to do, and you are more likely to be recognized for doing it, and you are more likely to actually make a difference in an important subject.   

The teaching requirements are usually minimal.  A lot of the work is done by teaching assistants, and the non-grading work can be a lot of fun if you care about the subject.  Showing people things you find interesting, teaching them about them, and thereafter being responsible for those who further advance our knowledge, or just make some sort positive contribution, can be quite rewarding.  I don't really see the drawback.

[Newby]

B) Do financial mathematics (most such jobs calling for a PhD in pure math start with salaries of ~$300000 US/year)

I was told by a guy who does that to major with a PHD in physics(?) as apparently that kind of mindset is what they look for.

[Rule]

B) Do financial mathematics (most such jobs calling for a PhD in pure math start with salaries of ~$300000 US/year)

I was told by a guy who does that to major with a PHD in physics(?) as apparently that kind of mindset is what they look for.

For the financial stuff, a PhD in math is probably a safer ticket to an high-paying job.   Not that it would really make an huge difference in your abilities, but they seem to more often be looking for math degrees.  Though it's possible to do a highly mathematical physics undergrad, and then do math in grad school.