I find some of the comments here a bit strange. Mathematics and many of these 'prestige' jobs have a close relationship, modern economics and finance are dominated by it, mathematics is King in these fields. I thought this would be self-evident, but apparently not. For illustration of some of this and a good, rigorous, (open source) introductory and intermediate (micro)economics textbook, check out: http://www.introecon.com/ for "Introduction to Economic Analysis" by Prof. R. Preston McAfee.
I use the examples of economics and finance due to the American obsession (or so it seems to us foreigners abroad fed with US film, media, etc) with Wall Street and the upper echelons. But this applies widely to many, MANY fields.
Although, I must concede that the program at many universities doubtlessly does not do it justice in these fields. In fact, I believe that mathematics is widely misunderstood and mistaught. Look up Bertrand Russell and his extensive writings. THIS is a mathematician, and is what proper mathemematical perspective yields. Mathematics without proper rigour is a dead-end, even in the presence of great potential and talent. Once you come to see this as self-evident, only then can you understand how truly important this subject matter is.
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I find some of the comments here a bit strange. Mathematics and many of these 'prestige' jobs have a close relationship, modern economics and finance are dominated by it, mathematics is King in these fields. I thought this would be self-evident, but apparently not. For illustration of some of this and a good, rigorous, (open source) introductory and intermediate (micro)economics textbook, check out: http://www.introecon.com/ for "Introduction to Economic Analysis" by Prof. R. Preston McAfee.
I use the examples of economics and finance due to the American obsession (or so it seems to us foreigners abroad fed with US film, media, etc) with Wall Street and the upper echelons. But this applies widely to many, MANY fields.
Although, I must concede that the program at many universities doubtlessly does not do it justice in these fields. In fact, I believe that mathematics is widely misunderstood and mistaught. Look up Bertrand Russell and his extensive writings. THIS is a mathematician, and is what proper mathemematical perspective yields. Mathematics without proper rigour is a dead-end, even in the presence of great potential and talent. Once you come to see this as self-evident, only then can you understand how truly important this subject matter is.