Department of Mathematical Sciences Launches Industry Connection Series

The inaugural event offered Stevens students the opportunity to engage with alumni who have successfully transitioned from academia to industry

By the time Pavel Morar '15 completed his Ph.D. at the intersection of algebra and theoretical computer science at Stevens Institute of Technology, he had pivoted into the tech industry, joining Google.

Agyey Arya '23, driven by his passion for robotics and C++ programming, pursued a bachelor's degree in electrical and electronics engineering, delving into digital signal processing and neural networks before transitioning into the healthcare industry.

Zoe Hack '24, who earned her bachelor's degree in pure and applied mathematics, accepted a full-time role in the reinsurance division of the company where she had interned for two years.

The diverse career paths of these three Stevens graduates illustrate the varied ways academic learning can be applied in the real world. Despite their different journeys, their shared foundation in mathematics brought them together at the inaugural Industry Connection Series event earlier this year, hosted by the Stevens Department of Mathematical Sciences.

This event aimed to connect students with alumni who have successfully transitioned into industry roles, showcasing how mathematicians can thrive in diverse sectors such as tech, insurance and healthcare. With 62 participants - 51 in person and 11 via Zoom - the event provided Stevens students with a unique opportunity to engage with professionals who once stood in their shoes.

Pavel Morar

Academically prepared and industry-ready

Hadi Safari Katesari, a teaching assistant professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, explained that the event's primary goal was to provide attendees with insights into how theoretical knowledge is applied in the workplace, helping them prepare for future career challenges and success.

"The series is invaluable for students as it allows them to interact directly with industry professionals, ask questions about career paths, and understand what courses and skills are most valued by employers," he said.

Katesari added that the event addressed one of the department's core objectives: ensuring that students are not only academically prepared but also industry-ready by the time they graduate.

To help achieve this aim, alumni of the Stevens Department of Mathematical Sciences were invited to share their experiences.

In his talk, "Transitioning from Maths Ph.D. to a Career in Tech," Morar emphasized the importance of research-like problem-solving in his role as a staff software engineer at Google, leading ad auction optimization.

Zoe Hack

Hack shared her experiences as an actuarial catastrophe modeling intern at Everest's reinsurance division, her current employer. Her presentation, "Reinsurance and Catastrophe Modeling," provided students with insights into the real-world application of data science and statistical models in insurance - a vital field that requires mathematical expertise.

Agyey Arya, a lead assistant manager at EXL, discussed the crucial role of data preparation in analytics projects. His talk, "The Importance of Data Cleaning and Pre-Processing," offered practical advice on managing the vast amounts of data professionals handle daily and how clean data is essential for effective decision-making.

The success of this inaugural Industry Connection Series event was evident in the high level of engagement and positive student feedback.

"By engaging directly with industry professionals, students received candid advice on navigating the job market, enhancing their resumes and succeeding in interviews," said Katesari.

Agyey Arya

"Notably, the event didn't just end with the formal sessions; students remained for an additional two hours, continuing discussions with the alumni speakers - a clear sign of the series' impact," Katesari added, noting that many students found the event helped clarify their career objectives, with some already reaching out to the speakers for further guidance.

This series has proven to be a powerful resource for students, offering them not only knowledge but also the network and confidence needed to navigate their career paths. For those in attendance, it was more than just a learning opportunity - it was a critical step toward turning their academic expertise into impactful careers, according to Katesari.

The Stevens Department of Mathematical Sciences plans to build on the success of this event with more sessions, focusing on emerging fields such as data science, artificial intelligence and financial modeling, bringing fresh perspectives from alumni and industry professionals, and helping students stay ahead of trends and technological developments.