William L. Anderson is president and owner of Elements Research, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since 1977, his business has developed software for engineering, medical, and scientific applications. Clients include the National Institute of Standards and Technology, US Coast Guard, American Chemical Society, Stanford University Medical Center, and other corporations and agencies. Until February 1996, Elements Research was located in Palo Alto, California. Elements Research provides mathematical insight in problem solving.

"A mathematics career has many rewards," he says. "Probably like most mathematics students, my interest began early. My childhood discovery that a compass would span its generated circle exactly six times hooked me on mathematics. As an undergraduate, I thought that mathematics provided the keys to nature, and that was a major motivational stimulant. With more experience, I now view mathematics as a powerful extension of ordinary language. As a career, mathematics has allowed me to created effective software solutions to important problems."

Bill has a BS Mathematics from The Citadel and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology. He worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft on a high-energy laser research. "High-energy lasers are fascinating devices that combine fluid flow, combustion, thermodynamics, chemistry, and optics. To learn laser basic physics, I attended Stanford University Mechanical Engineering graduate school. I did not complete a PhD. In 1977, I began working as a software consultant on engineering and medical problems. I liked the work environment where each task had a start and end date, and I could deliver a tangible product. I usually worked in small groups with other specialists and consultants. I was fortunate to work for brilliant chief investigators."

As the examples in his mathematical applications list show, Bill believes that mathematically trained individuals can often reduce a complex problem to a model that can be implemented in software.

What college courses are most valuable? Bill says "All mathematics courses seem valuable to me. It is hard to predict what courses will be useful in the future. For example, as an undergraduate, I had to recruit a minimum quota of fellow students to justify scheduling a projective geometry course. At that time, no one realized that harmonic coordinates and projective transformations would be vital tools in computer graphics, 20 years later. I believe differential geometry has a bright future. It provides a new viewpoint that can be applied to old problems. Mechanical and electrical engineering courses are good preparation for problems in manufacturing. In the software industry, knowing a programming language, like C++, is essential."

What is a good career plan? Bill says "Begin your career with a large corporation or agency. At entry level, you will be assigned a technical problem. Obviously, you must excel technically. At the same time, you will learn the decision making procedures of a large institution. You will have comply with a bureaucracy, while insuring that project objectives are achieved. When you recognize an opportunity, you can develop it within the organization or independently."

"Unfortunately, the demands of a small business tend to limit a young scientist's learning and opportunities. Although I like the independence provided by a small business, there are many restricting demands. Shortage of funds and time severely limit the pursuit of some exciting ideas. A small business requires a customer-oriented perspective, not a pure scientific viewpoint."

What long-term advice does Bill give today's mathematics student? "Today, mathematics is quite specialized. That makes a student's choices more difficult. I suggest that he follow his heart, work on something worthwhile, look for simple solutions, and take advantage of opportunities. If you are trained, you will recognize opportunities when they arise."

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