Math Modelling: What Skills do Employers Want in Industry?

We analysed 401 mathematical modelling-related job advertisements from Monster.com and OR/MS Today to find out what employers want from graduates from mathematical modelling related courses. We used content analysis to analyse job advertisements by tallying up relevant phrases and keywords and phrases in the advertisements regarding (1) skill requirements, (2) degree requirements, and (3) background disciplines requirements. Our analysis shows that many skills required for mathematical modelling jobs are “soft” skills pertaining to problem solving and to communication, which are not covered by ordinary mathematical modelling curricula. Educators can help students to obtain such soft skills by adopting innovative teaching methods such as team exercises, competitive exercises, group discussions, presentations, and case analysis.