Axe ’Em, Jacks!
A formula for success
As a mathematics major at SFA, you’ll have opportunities to build skills, expand your professional network and explore potential careers. Use what you’ve learned in the classroom by seeking out opportunities for an internship or summer institute. Go head-to-head with other Lumberjacks in a friendly competition. Get involved with student organizations, and see new areas of mathematics by participating in the colloquium series.
Networking and professional development
One way mathematics students make contacts in the professional world is by presenting at conferences such as the Annual Texas Undergraduate Mathematics Conference and the Texas Section Meeting of the Mathematical Association of America.
Students interested in teaching can meet, network and discuss best practices with public and private school teachers and student teachers at the East Texas Math Teachers’ Circle, which is part of the National Association of Math Circles.
Looking for a deeper dive into a variety of mathematics and statistics topics? Check out SFA’s R. W. Yeagy Colloquium Series, where you can attend guest lectures on a variety of cutting-edge mathematical topics.
Learn while you reach out
SFA’s mathematics and statistics students can participate in a variety of service learning programs. Explore ways to share what you have learned in your studies of mathematics with the community:
- Visit Nacogdoches middle schools as part of the Math Blitz program. Talk to students about the interesting applications and career paths that are possible with a mathematics or statistics degree.
- Participate in a variety of STEM outreach events aimed at getting local middle and high school students interested in studying mathematics and science.
- Serve as a private tutor of local middle or high school students.
- Join the Academic Assistance and Resource Center as a tutor or a supplemental instruction leader. You’ll help your fellow Lumberjacks in their college-level mathematics classes – and deepen your own understanding in the process!
We factor fun into the equation
Learning theories, working problems and testing knowledge are only part of the education equation for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Want to get social or explore your competitive streak? Check out one of these fun events:
- Compete in the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, where you’ll test your skills against math students from colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.
- Participate in Math Club and Pi Mu Epsilon activities with your classmates.
- Travel to conferences and competitions with faculty and classmates.
Hands-on career preparation
Interested in teaching? STEM majors can participate in a job-shadowing program that pairs them with a high school teacher. You’ll spend a week learning what it’s like to be in front of the classroom. You can also participate in teacher job shadowing and training through the Talented Teachers in Training for Texas (T4) program (currently funded by the National Science Foundation).
An internship or summer institute is a great way to explore new areas or applications of mathematics. At SFA, we offer students plenty of resources and guidance to help them find an opportunity that lines up with their interests and career goals.
Internship opportunities are made known through networking events and utilizing SFA’s Handshake. In addition, our college hosts internship information sessions for students to learn more about internships and learn how best to prepare their applications.
Completing an internship can earn a student credit towards their degree. Interested students can review the Internship Procedures and Forms.
Beware of Job Scams and Fraudulent Job Postings
The web can be a scary place. Especially when it comes to identifying legitimate job postings. As technology advances, online job boards are fast becoming a convenient way to search for career opportunities. Unfortunately, scammers frequent these sites and are now targeting unsuspecting college students looking for job openings and internships. While there is a danger you could fall victim to a fraudulent job posting crime, there are ways to reduce your risk and keep safe while job hunting online.
Know the signs:
- Does the company require bank account information from you?
- Are they asking you to pay upfront costs?
- Are they offering you money as part of the application?
- Are you required to provide personal information beyond the scope of the application? Are you required to provide personal information over the phone or email?
- Does the company website appear unfinished, have spelling or grammatical errors?
- Is the job description vague or poorly written?
- Does the company work out of a private residence?
- Is the company a multi-level marketing company (i.e. pyramid scheme)?
- Does the company only provide a generic e-mail address (e.g. Gmail, Outlook or Yahoo)?
- Does the job require no interviews or no experience?
- Did the company contact you blindly via email or text? Was it sent to multiple recipients?
- Are you asked to download apps or click on links to get more job information?
If you suspect a scam:
- Report it to your internship supervisor.
- Alert the Center for Career and Professional Development.
- If you were solicited by a scammer via your SFA email, report it as phishing to ITS.
- Consider filing a report with the Federal Trade Commission, the Texas Attorney General and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
- You may also contact the SFA University Police Department to see if a report needs to be submitted.
What to do if you fall victim:
- Change your email and bank passwords immediately and, as applicable, turn on Two-Factor Authentication.
- Report the scam to IdentiftyTheft.gov, especially if you have given out personal information.
- Contact the three credit bureaus, Equifax, TransUnion and Experian, to freeze your credit score and begin a fraud alert.
- If money was exchanged, then contact your bank, or the company that handled the transaction.
- Consult the Federal Trade Commission website for additional help.
Final words:
- Always trust your instinct. If the job posting sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
- Be sure to report scams to the appropriate offices so others do not fall victim.
- If you do go on to get an interview and begin to suspect a scam, then it is probably wise not to proceed further. Thank the company for the chance to interview and then politely turn down the job opportunity.
In the end remember, it’s all about protecting yourself. Be patient, be cautious and be diligent. In doing so you will ensure that the right job or internship will come your way.
Career Center
Students are encouraged to explore the available resources at SFA's Career Center. This resource is available to all SFA students and provides guidance for application materials, mock interview services, career fairs and other relevant information for internships and future employment.