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Seeking University Jobs in Mathematics?
NegativeK asks: "I'm currently a high school student, soaking up all of the math I can. Via a state program, the education department pays for my enrollment in a semi-local university, which is allowing me to take four mathematics courses at a time. My question is this: am I chasing a white-elephant? How much does it take to get a job in theoretical mathematics? What does it require to get a stable job in a university to do math research? This also applies to other theoretical positions; how competitive is the workplace in a research university?"
Well I am a junior math major at a not so pristegious university and I would say that I am in the same boat. I posted a topic similar to this on the alt.math newsgroup and I got about 50/50 = "go for it" / "Stick w/ computers and keep math as a hobby"
If I were you I would take a few more classes until I make a lifelong commitment. Math is one of those subjects where the upper division work differs greatly from most of what you see in ugrad/hs.If that hasn't scared you enough then try the AMS Job Search just to see what type of positions seem to be open in your state.
Also (although you seem quite gung ho about theoretical research) keep your mind open about other subjects for your graduate degree. Bioinformatics departments seem to want mathematicians at least here at UCLA. Not to mention if you read in last months issue of AMS's "Notices" (would link but unless you are behind a a school's firewall you can't view it) they have an article about the shortage of Phd's in Math Ed. (which is more cognitive science than math). So, I know where you are comming from. Pure Mathematics is quite a leap of faith but it's one that I am {smart|stupid} enough to take.You said yourself you're trying to soak it all up. So why are you asking about how you can limit yourself?
Our experience is that getting jobs with a math degree is not that difficult (if you look hard).
Each of the 20-30 Ph.D. graduates from our department (http://www.math.twsu.edu) has received a job; about half were in industry and half received tenure-track positions. Although our university is not as well known as many others, our Ph.D.s have tenure-track (or tenured) positions at Georgetown University, the University of Arizona, Middle Tennessee State University, Georgia Southern University (?), etc. One of our (1996) Ph.D.s is a vice president at a private company ($20 billion(?) annual revenue) based here. Other of our Ph.D.s work in industry in Boston, Alabama, etc.
Our Masters and BA/BS students also are doing well, working at universities, for insurance or reinsurance companies, the aviation industry, software companies, etc. One of my undergraduate students attended a NSF R.E.U. at Cornell, wrote papers with faculty at Cornell and with me; he graduated last May, got a job in KC, "reinvented" the job so he can do math and programming, and may make a substantial contribution to his employer. His long term plans may include earning a Ph.D. in math.
The reputation of the university is important, but a student's effort and ability is much more important. I think the future is bright if you work hard, have ability, learn as much as possible about computers/software, look for opportunities (e.g. REUs, postDoc positions at Cal Tech, Stanford, Brown, etc.), considering earning an additional degree (e.g. EE) while completing your Ph.D. in math, etc.
PS A lot of university math faculty will retire in the "near" future. We are trying to fill three junior/senior positions right now. (I hope the state does not run out of money.)
But you're just a high-school student. I don't mean to belittle you with that, but to devote your career to academics at this point is a bit early. Certainly, get your degree in math if that's what you love. Go to grad school in math and then you'll start to get the flavor of what life is like in academics. You'll also (hopefully) learn about the job market there.
Yes, you probably can stay in academics all your life. You might not like it, though. You might have to do research in areas you aren't interested in; for part of your career you might have very little time to do anything but teach (while at the same time you really also have to be publishing!). You'll almost certainly be looking at moving around a lot, first to grad school, then to a series of postdocs at different institutions, then start moving up the ranks towards tenure (which often involves moving sideways to other institutions, too.) If you love travel and not settling down, it's great. If you're looking for stability, it may not be for you.
You'll also be able to go into many industries or branch out into some other area. Mathematicians are in demand in a number of different areas (some of which you may not enjoy, though.)
Don't box yourself in at this point. In fact, it's hard to box yourself in until grad school. So do what you enjoy, discover new things, have fun!