A Career as a Statistician
A love of mathmatics is a common characteristic among people who become statisticians. Fortunately, for them – and you if math is your favorite subject and you do well in it – becoming a statistician is a way to have that love rewarded with an excellent career.
Statisticians use mathematical principles in the collection, organization, analysis, presentation and explanation of numerical data. As a statistician, you may be involved in any or all of these activities.
The first task of a statistician is to devise tests, surveys, experiments, and questionnaires designed to collect information. When the data has been collected it must be organized, charted, and turned into graphic images. From these images, a story emerges that explains some type of behavior or activity. That story allows the users of the statistics to move forward with actions that may have an impact on many people throughout the world.
Decisions are made and plans implemented based on statistics in the fields of healthcare and medicine, science, law, business and industry, education, government, sports and entertainment. Statistical techniques are used to predict economic conditions, population growth, and the demographic makeup of various regions, which in turn affects public policy and public welfare programs and reforms. Statistics can tell us which segment of a population is most prone to contract a certain disease so that healthcare authorities can direct preventative measures to that group.
Statisticians mostly work in offices and laboratories, but they can also be found out in the world gathering their data directly by doing field research. They are employed by local, state and federal government agencies, as well as in all types of private industries, most notably in biotechnology and healthcare, information technology, and financial services. Research organizations, both for-¬profit and not-for-profit, provide employment for many statisticians and often present the greatest variety of challenges. There is a need for statisticians who can teach others their trade in colleges and at the graduate school level. One of the great advantages of being a statistician is that the principles can be applied in so many fields that employment opportunities are widespread rather than confined to a single industry.
The number of openings for statisticians is expected to grow steadily with openings for both new graduates and experienced personnel. The nature of the work is evolving all the time as computer technology is regularly adding new tools for statisticians to use in their work. This can be an advantage to the newer members of the field who are likely to be getting the most up-to-the-minute training as part of their education. It is also a challenge to veteran practitioners, who must keep up with their education about these new tools.
This report will introduce you to this compelling and challenging profession. It will provide information on the educational direction you need to follow, the skills you will need to develop, the kinds of personal qualities that make for success, the specific tasks you will be doing, and the fields where you would be most likely to find work. In addition, interviews with statisticians active in the field today will provide immediate insights about this career.
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