Profile on Daniel Szymkowiak

I started out at Drexel as a Chemistry major until my junior year. After working in a chemistry lab for co-op, I realized I didn’t really enjoy that kind of work. At that point, I decided to focus on what I was good at and enjoyed, which was math. I was already minoring in math, so it wasn’t much of a leap to switch to math major.

Co-op has been a crucial part of my time here at Drexel. Besides the fact that my first coop caused me to rethink what I was studying, my second co-op sent me on a path to pursue a career in trading.

That co-op was at Susquehanna International Group (SIG) where I worked as a trade support co-op which means I was assigned to a trader and I did whatever I could to help with operations on the desk. Analysis skills and programming prepared me for a very detail oriented job. I was originally planning on going to graduate school after Drexel but decided instead to pursue full time employment at SIG because I had such a good time. I will start working there full time in April of 2009.

Although co-op was a draw to Drexel, it isn’t the only reason to be here. My other favorite aspect of being a Math student at Drexel was the opportunity to take a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses. That was really eye opening. Since it is a small department, I was also given opportunities to really participate in the department. I tutored, graded, and even gave a presentation at a Mathematical Association of America Conference. The department also encourages the undergraduate and graduate students to attend regularly scheduled seminars and speakers from across the country.

I have really enjoyed my time here in the Math department. The environment is very relaxed. The professors and advisors are always around. In general you can find your professor and talk about whatever you need to talk about. Most of them have a very open door policy.

To any students considering studying math at Drexel, I would suggest that you focus on getting a breadth of education while in school. Take harder courses because you will learn how to learn better and more efficiently. Participate in clubs because they are good for you and your resume.