Career Choices for Students who Excel in Trigonometry

Students who excel in trigonometry probably have good visual-spatial skills, fine attention to detail, and an excellent ability to grasp abstractions. They would do well in many careers. Here are a few:


Land surveyors carry out the task of accurately determining the position of points on the earth and the distances and angles between them. In practice, they may be finding boundaries for homeowners, for governments, or for business.

In addition to trigonometry and geometry, modern land surveyors need to be familiar with certain practical applications of computer science. Modern surveyor’s tools are computer intensive, and are becoming more so.

Surveyors need to be precise, methodical, and reliable. Their rewards are interesting, important, intellectually challenging work, often done outdoors in a variety of environments.

Mechanical Drafter

Drafters produce precise drawings that guide construction at many levels. Their work may guide the creation of an integrated circuit or of a concert hall. They may work in high tech, in construction, or in aerospace and defense.

In addition to trigonometry, drafters should have knowledge of CAD, computer aided drafting. Though they may prepare and distribute their drawing exclusively through electronic means, they should still have knowledge of traditional techniques, in order to understand and explain what they are illustrating.

Drafters need to be patient, painstaking, and thorough. Their reward is important work, usually done indoors as part of a team involved in complicated and fascinating projects.

Math Teacher

Math teachers provide essential skills. They teach fundamental concepts useful in high finance and computer science, but also try to instill a logical way of looking at everyday problems. They teach applications as well as abstractions, and offer techniques as well as insights.

In addition to a grounding in all the maths, teachers need people skills. A broad general education is best to prepare for the difficult role of teacher. Teachers must organize and communicate complicated ideas.

Teachers need to be patient, empathetic, and well educated. Their reward is respected work of fundamental importance to society.


Architects work to create environments that look good and work well. They try to design structures that are useful, durable, and well suited to their surroundings. They usually lead a dedicated team. An architect is interested in how buildings look, but also in how they work. Someone with the ability to understand proportion that has brought success at trigonometry might well excel in architecture.

In addition to mathematical knowledge, an architect needs abilities in design. Very often, an architect is also an engineer. He or she will also have to deal with a variety of people, whether clients or associates.

Architects need to be creative and practical. The structures they design will be looked at, lived in, and used. The reward for an architect is to see abstract ideas become useful and possibly attractive actualities.


Ability in trigonometry can translate into a variety of rewarding careers. Mathematical skill is useful in most occupations, but especially in technical careers where such knowledge is put to work daily.