Only 0.1 Per Cent of Australian Students Want to Pursue a Career in Maths

An Australian study published in January this year showed only eight students out of the 6492 surveyed wanted to pursue careers in mathematics.

Yes, you’re reading that right. Only 0.1 per cent were interested in continuing a life dedicated to the art of numbers.

The Sydney Morning Herald spoke to Professor Kathryn Holmes, an academic at Western Sydney University who worked on the study, and she said there was a severe disinterest in the field of mathematics, which could be due to a lack of knowledge surrounding its potential career paths.

The study saw the research team follow students in NSW from years 3, 5, 7 and 9 for a period of four years. The students were asked questions about what they would like to do for careers. Questions such as 'What would you like to do when you grow up?' were asked of the primary school students while the high school students were asked where they saw themselves at the age of 25.

Professor Holmes explained that participation in science and mathematics was experiencing some serious lows.

"While this lack of interest in maths is concerning for the future of mathematics study in this country, it is even more concerning because of the role of mathematics, and studying mathematics subjects at school, in a wide range of STEM careers," Professor Holmes explained to SMH.

A possible solution seems reasonably simple though. Professor Holmes believes exposing students to contemporary careers in mathematics might give them that extra enthusiasm to persevere through high school maths.

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