Linda Kaufman is a researcher in numerical linear algebra and optimization with the Scientific Computing Research Division of Bell Labs, in Murray Hill, New Jersey. A member of the technical staff, her work is a mixture of pure and applied research, with the goal of solving problems for scientists in other disciplines.
“Currently,” she says, “I am looking at determining parameters which solve a partial differential equation that comes from a model for fiber optics. In addition, I have worked on numerical problems that have arisen in speech recognition and in queuing models for switching systems. In general I take responsibility for choosing my own work projects, but once a year I have to justify what I am doing to my department head, who has written several books in my field.”
Linda has a Sc.B. in applied mathematics from Brown University, and a Ph.D. in computer science from Stanford University. As a graduate student, she thought she would make her career in academe. However, after three years as an assistant professor in computer science at the University of Colorado, she joined Bell Labs. That was in 1976, and she has had the same job title since her arrival.
“What I did not realize,” she explains, “was that in industry I still had the opportunity to teach, as in giving advice to scientists in other disciplines, but without the daily chore of standing up and giving lectures, which made me nervous when I was younger. In addition, I use mathematics everyday in my work as I compute eigenvalues, derivatives, etc. and the people I work with in my department all have Ph. D's in either mathematics or computer science. ”
Questioned about preparation for her position, she responds that her numerical analysis courses have certainly been valuable. “However, I wish I had taken several courses in statistics and communication and writing skills are more important than I expected. Being able to communicate with people in other scientific disciplines is extremely important.”
“In general, breadth seems more important than depth, for if you have not the slightest idea of what some scientist is telling you, you might not know where to begin. Thus I would suggest taking science courses in a number of disciplines rather than sticking purely with mathematics. Also in industry, you are seen as a mathematician, not as a mathematician who is an expert in the narrow topic of your thesis.”
Linda believes that mathematics is a good career for women and does not conflict with having a family. “In mathematics, your main tool is your mind and you can use this while rocking a baby to sleep. You do not have to wait for equipment or spend long hours in the lab waiting for an experiment to come to a critical point. Thus it is an ideal profession for a woman who wants to raise a family and have a career.”
