University: The University of Western Australia

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Mathematics and Statistics and Business Law

School Subjects: Mathematics Specialist, Mathematics Methods, English, Chemistry, Physics

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Following high school, I was unsure about what career path to pursue. Coming from a STEM background, I wanted to continue studying something familiar at uni. At the same time, my interest in law grew thanks to conversations with my older sister, who was currently studying law despite also having a STEM background. This inspired me to meet ‘halfway’ by choosing a double major in Mathematics and Business Law.

This decision often led to me being questioned about why I would choose such an uncommon double major. However, looking back, this choice was probably the best decision I’ve made for my career. What I look for in studying is whether I can see myself applying skills learned to problem-solve. Applied maths and Business Law fit this perfectly. Although vastly different in content, both majors require logical and ‘step-by-step’ thinking, which I enjoy doing.

Maths

An important note to make is that my major, “Mathematics and Statistics,” has been separated into two different majors, one called “Mathematics” and the other “Statistics.” If you’re considering Statistics, be aware that it involves high-level maths.

Uni maths is similar yet very different from school. In your 3rd year, you’ll have the choice to specialise in applied or pure maths. Applied maths focuses on the practical application of maths to solve real-world problems. Its versatility is immense, as it’s used in fields such as Engineering, Physics, Finance, Economics, Data Science, and more. In contrast, pure maths delves into the theoretical side, emphasising proofs and abstract concepts.

Regardless of whether you choose applied or pure maths, content will be taught at a much faster pace compared to school. What I found is that a lot of the ‘figuring out’ must be done by yourself through constant practice and critical thinking. Unlike school maths, most questions in uni maths are ‘routine’ questions and not worded problems. As such, I personally found that you can rote-learn most of the content. However, it is still important to try to understand the theory of why you are doing the steps you are, which is especially true for exams, where they might ask you a question type you haven’t seen before.

A typical week mostly involves doing practice questions. While there are prac classes (where you just do problem sets) and labs (which are for units involving a software like Mathematica), the onus of learning lies mostly with the student. Maths is not a major I would recommend to everybody, as many people are more than glad to leave maths behind after high school. However, for those who enjoy challenges, self-guided learning, and are looking to have a versatile major, Maths is a highly rewarding choice. Maths is especially good when paired with any STEM major and some Commerce majors (especially Finance and Economics).

Business Law

Business Law also requires problem-solving, but in a way that is distinct from maths. Typically, questions will ask you to advise a client on a situation that has occurred. This involves analysing statutes and case law in a particular area (e.g., taxation law, company law) to formulate a reasoned argument. What I enjoy about Business Law is how it feels like I’m applying information I’m learning to real-life situations. From talking with others, you definitely don’t need to do Politics and Law ATAR to transition into doing a pre-law major, as the content you will be learning will be completely new to everyone.

Additionally, Business Law lays a good foundation for students considering a Juris Doctor (JD) postgrad degree. If you’re interested in a legal career, I recommend either majoring in Business Law or taking some Business Law units as an elective (e.g., Introduction to Law – LAWS1104) to explore whether law is the right path for you.

Advice to Prospective Uni Students

My advice to incoming uni students is not to shy away from choosing a double major or degree that appears unrelated on the surface. While it might seem counterintuitive, there are significant benefits. It can give you a niche edge over other students by equipping you with diverse skill sets that stand out in the job market. In my case, another reason why I chose Maths is that being numerate is a soft skill that lawyers are notoriously not great at.

More importantly, choosing an unrelated double major keeps your career options flexible during uni. For example, if I had realised by the end of my third year that I didn’t enjoy Business Law and didn’t want to continue with JD, I could still rely on Maths. Similar cases I’ve seen include a double degree in Engineering and Finance. While these may not seem related at first glance, these odd combinations allow flexibility and time to decide on a career pathway – even as you approach your final year.