I've been thinking about this for years and honestly, numbers fascinate me, but when I look at the curricula for civil engineering or systems engineering I get bored out of my mind. Are there other options that use a lot of math but with a different approach? I'm in third year of secondary school so I still have time to figure it out.
You've got tons of options that let you actually work with math without getting into traditional engineering. The most obvious one is Pure Mathematics, where you work with theory, proofs, and abstract concepts without needing to apply them to bridges or circuits. But if you want something with better job prospects, consider Physics, Statistics, or Actuarial Science - those last two are brutal with numbers and there's real demand for them in companies, insurance, data analysis.
Another path that a lot of people don't know about is Actuarial Science, which is pure math applied to insurance, pensions, and risk. If you're more interested in the practical side but different from engineering, Econometrics combines advanced math with economics, and there's job openings in banks and consulting firms. There's also Computer Science or Computer Engineering (which is different from Civil or Systems in that it's more theoretical), or even specializations in Cryptography and Number Theory if your country offers them.
What I'd recommend is that you check out the nearby universities and see what subjects each program has in the first year. A lot of the time the curricula are similar at the start, so you can begin in one and switch without wasting time. And take advantage now to really push yourself with higher-level math - it won't just help you decide, but it'll get you ready for whatever you end up studying.
I know people who went into Actuarial Science and were really happy because it's heavy on math but applied to insurance, investments, risk analysis - stuff that actually makes sense in real life without being what you see in engineering! There's also Statistics, which is exploding right now because all that data needs to be analyzed, and honestly it's completely different from how tedious systems engineering can seem.
Then you've got more unusual but awesome options like Theoretical Physics or Computer Science (which isn't the same as systems engineering - the difference is you focus on algorithms and logic, not building bridges or commercial software). And if you want something with social impact, Economics with an emphasis on econometrics or even Actuarial Science let you work with numbers in totally different contexts! You've still got time to explore so don't rush, but if numbers really fascinate you, there's way more beyond traditional engineering!
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