We surveyed 1,053 mathematicians to learn what personality traits and interests make them unique. Here are the results.
Mathematicians are investigative and conventional
Mathematicians tend to be predominantly investigative individuals, which means that they are quite inquisitive and curious people that often like to spend time alone with their thoughts. They also tend to be conventional, meaning that they are usually detail-oriented and organized, and like working in a structured environment.
If you are one or both of these archetypes, you may be well suited to be a mathematician. However, if you are social, this is probably not a good career for you. Unsure of where you fit in? Take the career test now.
Here’s how the Holland codes of the average mathematician break down:
The top personality traits of mathematicians are extraversion and conscientiousness
Mathematicians score highly on extraversion, meaning that they rely on external stimuli to be happy, such as people or exciting surroundings. They also tend to be high on the measure of conscientiousness, which means that they are methodical, reliable, and generally plan out things in advance.
Once again, let’s break down the components of the personality of an average mathematician: