Science And Technology

With the advent of science and technology, new innovations have come forward making life more comfortable for us, bringing different forms of entertainment at our fingertips and their easy accessibility ensures that the consumers enjoy them completely.

When mobile phones were commercially introduced, they were heavy and unsuitable for hand-held uses; they had minimum functionality and very slow rates of data transfer and very little data retention capacity. The 1G (first generation), 2G (second generation) 3G (third generation) etc of the technology behind automated cellular networks have made way for the emergence of super-cool snazzy cell phones, some of which are top-end phones with processing powers and storage capacities comparable to those found in desktops some 4-5 years ago. Researches in telecommunication, electronics etc have made it possible for the most useful and strikingly innovative features to get incorporated into these phones.

All mobile phones consist of some common features like a rechargeable battery as a power source, facilities for basic mobile phone services like sending text messages and making calls, SIM cards for GSM phones, an input to interact with the phone like the keypad or touch screens found in some of the high-end phones called smartphones available these days etc. The low-end phones also known as feature phones have all the basic functionalities and some other useful features like cameras, music players etc and come with software applications based on platforms like Java ME or BREW. There are cell phones with much advanced computing ability, fast processors and microchips, greater number of slots for many functionalities these days which are giving each other a run for their money. More and more companies have come forward to design the most technologically advanced phones which will appeal to the most aesthetic as well as tech-savvy users.

The variety of features available in a cell phone simply boggles one’s mind. You have powerful digital cameras, audio and video recorders, MMS or multimedia messaging services, email clients, web clients, various gaming platforms for mobile gaming, document readers, music players etc. Some advanced high-end smart phones are also equipped with GPS navigation services, RDS radio receivers, PDA or personal digital assistant services, facilities for streaming and watching videos, video callings, WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth, infrared, memory card reader, PTT, dual line supports etc.

The prices of cell phones depend upon the brands you want to buy, the various features that come with them etc. The year 2004 saw the sales of 674 million cell phones and that figure became 730 million in 2005. These figures throw light on the immense popularity of cell phones.

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Usually, when one thinks of a career in mathematics, they think of ivory tower recluses contemplating the nature of the universe through numbers. The truth is quite the opposite. One of the largest of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) career paths is the actuary and by the very nature of their profession they are one of the most grounded of the fields. A love of numbers and a bachelor science degree can start one on this career path.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, actuaries deal with risk. They decide how likely things such as death, sickness, injury, disability, and loss of property are to occur, as well as the costs of these things. They also decide how much money it will take in order to get a certain amount of retirement income. They help design insurance policies, pension plans and try to make sure any risk is sound. Actuaries may need to explain their findings to company executives, government officials, the public and may even testify in court as experts

In other words, they are the backbone of the insurance industry. They can also work for consulting firms, where their expertise in risk assessment can be used in a number of other ways. If you look at TV shows such as Numb3rs, a lot of the science the stars use is actuarial.

Actuaries must have a strong background in both math and general business. To start in the field, one must have a Bachelor’s degree in math, actuarial science, or statistics, although there are actuaries who have degrees in economics, finance, or accounting.

Most universities have actuarial science programs. It’s usually a good idea to talk to a career counselor to learn what is actually in the curriculum. Even with a degree, graduates also have to take a certification exam before they earn a full position. Luckily, many insurers and similar firms will hire the graduate while they study for the actuarial exam online.

There is an incredible need for this profession. This is certainly reflected in the salary. According to the Bureau, the bottom end of an annual wage is nearly $50,000 a year. The average actuary wage ranges from $90,000 to $110,000, depending on which industry he or she is in, and where they are located. The top ten percent exceeds over $160,000 before going into upper management. These jobs almost always come with superlative benefits packages, including investment and retirement programs, extended vacations, continued education packages and, naturally, life and health insurance.

As actuarial science is considered a STEM field, it is open to more than the usual avenues for financial aid. Not only can a student get a standard Pell Grant, but also is open to an S-STEM grant from the National Science Foundation. Also, many professional organizations inside the finance and science communities have grant funds.

If this rigorous discipline is the kind of thing one might be interested in learning more about, a good place to start is with their main professional organizations, the Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuarial Society. Starting with bachelor science degree qualifications, you’ll find many possibilities open. A degree in technology is a requirement in many of the associate fields.