21-year-old in Sri Lanka studying Pure Maths, Applied Maths, Statistics & CS — what career should I aim for?
I’m 21 and currently studying a combination of Statistics, Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Computer Science in Sri Lanka (bachelor’s degree).
I’m trying to make a long-term career decision and would really appreciate advice from people who are already working in these fields, especially internationally.
My priorities are:
● A career with strong demand over the next 10–20 years
● Good job stability/security
● High earning potential later in my career
● A realistic path to working abroad
● I’m open to doing a Master’s or further study if it significantly improves my opportunities
● I’d ideally like a field where my combination of maths, statistics and CS gives me an advantage
Some areas I’m currently considering are:
● Data Science / Machine Learning
● AI / ML Engineering
● Statistics / Biostatistics
● Quantitative Finance
● Actuarial Science
● Software Engineering
● Operations Research / Optimization
● Data/Analytics
● Cybersecurity
● Other math-heavy careers I may not have considered
For people who have experience in these areas:
What would you recommend someone with my academic background focus on if they were starting today?
And more importantly, which fields do you think will still have strong demand and high salaries 10–20 years from now, rather than just being hot right now?
If you’re working abroad, I’d also love to hear which countries/markets are good targets and whether a Master’s is worth doing.
I’m particularly interested in hearing from people who have actually worked in these careers rather than just general career advice. Thanks!