MAYAKA: A lesson in Mathematics and the many career choice dilemmas

Nuclear expert Edward MAYAKA/COURTERSY

This month, thousands of new students across Kenyan universities are beginning an exciting new chapter.

For many, it's the payoff for years of hard work, while for others, it's the start of an uncertain journey filled with new friendships and life-changing opportunities. 

The questions that weighed on me when I started my own university journey three decades ago still trouble students today: Am I choosing the right course? Will it lead to a bright future?

Recently, I spoke with a young student who had just finished secondary school and was awaiting university admission. Knowing my background in STEM, he asked for advice on choosing a course. 

When I asked which subject he excelled at most, he immediately said, "Mathematics." My advice was simple: "Then why not pursue a degree in pure Mathematics?" He seemed surprised and confused. "You mean a Bachelor of Education in Mathematics?" he asked. I clarified, "No, not education. I mean a degree in pure Mathematics." He was puzzled. "Where would I apply a pure Mathematics degree?"

This exchange highlights a common dilemma in Kenya and much of Africa. Mathematics is often seen narrowly, primarily as a path to teaching.

Yet, the modern world tells a different story. It's the foundation of countless industries, from finance and data science to artificial intelligence and cryptography. Unfortunately, many students and parents remain unaware of the incredible opportunities this discipline offers.

A recent international headline perfectly illustrates this point: Andrew Tulloch, a young Australian mathematician, reportedly turned down a job offer from Facebook worth a staggering one billion US dollars, equivalent to about Sh129 billion. While the number is jaw-dropping, the story behind it is even more instructive.

Andrew holds a first-class honors degree in Mathematics from the University of Sydney, where he won the prestigious University Medal. His thesis, "Advanced Levy Process Models for Multivariate Credit Risk," was essentially a study of risk and uncertainty, which is central to global financial stability. 

After graduating, he worked at Goldman Sachs, a leading investment bank, where he built mathematical models for trading and risk analysis.

By the time Facebook approached him, he was already considered one of the most brilliant "quants" (quantitative analysts) of his generation. In a remarkable display of self-awareness, he politely declined the offer to follow his own path.

His story proves a powerful truth: numbers aren't just abstract symbols; they are a language the modern world desperately needs to understand. They predict markets, power space exploration, secure digital transactions, and underpin the AI revolution.

Those who master this language hold the keys to solving some of humanity's greatest challenges and, as Tulloch's case shows, can attract opportunities beyond imagination.

For Kenyan students entering university, this is a timely reminder. Too often, course choices are driven by prestige, parental pressure, or job stereotypes.

Medicine, law, and engineering are seen as "safe bets," while courses like pure mathematics or physics are dismissed as impractical. Yet, the global economy increasingly rewards problem-solvers, innovators, and critical thinkers—people who can analyze data, model risks, and devise complex solutions.

As Kenya invests in areas like renewable energy, fintech, and digital innovation, there will be a growing demand for physicists, mathematicians, statisticians, and data scientists.

Our banks, insurance firms, and tech startups already rely on advanced analytics for decision-making. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of modeling and statistics in public health, and climate change adaptation in agriculture requires mathematical models to forecast rainfall and crop yields.

It is crucial for students and society to broaden their understanding of what different courses can offer. A mathematics degree doesn't sentence you to a teaching career unless that's your passion.

It can open doors to cutting-edge careers in finance, technology, and scientific research. The same goes for many other disciplines that may not seem glamorous but form the backbone of modern economies.

As you step onto campus this September, I encourage you to ask not just what course you are taking, but what problems you want to solve for society. The true value of education lies in giving you the tools to make an impact.

For some, it's curing diseases; for others, it's building software or designing resilient infrastructure. For those drawn to numbers, it might mean unlocking insights in data or ensuring the stability of financial systems.

Education is a journey of discovery. Just as Andrew Tulloch found that mathematics could lead him from a lecture hall in Sydney to Wall Street and Silicon Valley, Kenyan students can also discover paths far beyond what is traditionally imagined for them.

The key is to stay open-minded, curious, and courageous enough to pursue a field you are passionate about, even if others don't immediately see its value.

Congratulations to all new students starting their academic journey. You are stepping into a world of limitless possibility.

Remember that every subject, every number, every formula has the potential to change your life and the world around you. 

Don't underestimate the quiet power of disciplines like mathematics. As Tulloch’s story reminds us, numbers are more than just symbols on a page—they are a language of opportunity, innovation, and, sometimes, billion-dollar choices.

The writer is a nuclear expert