Math Student Spotlight
Name: Ciara Baumert
Major: Mathematics
Year in School: Senior
Where are you from?
I’m from Omaha, NE.
What gets you excited about Math?
I love learning how to think and solve problems. Math has the capability to answer so many of the world’s problems, and it teaches you how to think about the problems that you can’t yet solve. The theory behind each branch of mathematics is wildly interesting, and the applications have so much potential! I recently took MATH 489, which teaches about stochastic processes; the history of the field and its underlying theory were super exciting to learn about, and the applications to fields like epidemiology are so much more impactful than I could’ve imagined.
Favorite math class or instructor so far? Why?
My favorite math class so far has to be Probability Theory (MATH 487). I’ve always found the branch of statistics interesting, and it has applications to countless non-mathematical fields. Learning about the mathematical foundations behind probability gave me a much deeper understanding of the work I’ve done (and have continued to do) in other classes, and I walked away with a much greater appreciation for the field of probability as a whole.
What are you excited about doing after graduation?
After graduation, I’m excited to move to DC and start my full-time job at Palantir Technologies! In my full-time role, I’ll be able to combine mathematical logic and thought processes with software development strategies to help solve real-world issues that impact countless people.
What is a goal you have accomplished as a Husker?
In my time at UNL, I’ve been able to broaden my worldview and build confidence in myself as a leader. Over the past four years, I’ve been involved in Greek life, various on-campus RSOs, and the off-campus nonprofit Girls Code Lincoln. These involvements have allowed me to get to know the perspectives of students from different backgrounds, advocate for women and young girls pursuing careers in STEM, and build leadership and communication skills that will allow me to continue working to help and advocate for others.
What do you wish you would have known when you started as a Math Major that you know now?
There are so, so many different branches of mathematics, and they’re not all going to make sense right away. While jumping between purely computational math, linear algebra, statistics, proofs-based courses, and in-depth mathematical theory, you learn to think in a lot of different ways and find new strategies to solve problems, but it can be difficult to re-orient yourself to each class–it’s okay to take your time!
What do you hope to cross off your “bucket list” in the next few years?
In my time in college, I was never able to just take a week or two off to travel and appreciate nature. Sometime in my first year after college, I’d like to take a long road trip and make some hiking stops at state or national parks along the way.
If you would like to see yourself in the spotlight, please contact Doug for more information.