Slide1 : Presented by the
American Statistical Association
What Is Statistics? : American Heritage® Dictionary: “The mathematics of the collection, organization, and interpretation of numerical data, especially the analysis of population characteristics by inference from sampling.”
Statisticians collect and analyze data, then calculate results using a specific design. They draw conclusions and make decisions in the face of uncertainty. What Is Statistics?
Slide3 : Environment
Agriculture,
Ecology, Forestry,
Animal Populations Government
Census, Law,
National Defense Physical
Sciences
Astronomy,
Chemistry, Physics Areas where
STATISTICS
are used Health &
Medicine
Genetics, Clinical Trials,
Epidemiology,
Pharmacology Business
Economics, Engineering,
Marketing,
Computer Science
Slide4 : Collecting data on subsets of the population (samples) can give valid information about the whole population.
Knowing what has happened in the past can help answer questions about the present and future.
Knowledge helps plan future tests, determines resource allocation, and improves quality. Why Study Statistics?
Slide5 : Study the safety of nuclear power plants
Evaluate the environmental impact of pollution
Determine the effectiveness of new drugs
Estimate the U.S. unemployment rate
Analyze consumer demand for products
Plan and analyze agricultural experiments What Do Statisticians Do?
What Can I Do With A Degree in Statistics? : What Can I Do With A Degree in Statistics?
Slide7 : Manufacturing
Build products and deliver services that satisfy consumers and increase the corporation’s profit margin
Slide8 : Marketing
Design experiments for new products, conduct focus groups and sample surveys, and perform field experiments in test markets to determine product viability
Slide9 : Engineering
Make a consistent product, detect problems, minimize waste, and predict product life in electronics, chemicals, aerospace, pollution control, construction, and other industries
Slide10 : Statistical Computing
Work in software design and development, testing, quality assurance, technical support, education, marketing, and sales to develop code that is both user-friendly and sufficiently complex
Slide11 : I love that statistics is very multi-disciplinary. It involves problem solving in a group environment and it involves many skills and talents. I love the ability to be a mathematician, computer scientist, teacher, quizmaster, sleuth, and devil’s advocate all rolled into one. ” Linda Quinn, Private Industrial Consultant “
Slide12 : Epidemiology
Work on calculating cancer incidence rates, monitor disease outbreaks, and monitor changes in health-related behaviors such as smoking and physical activity
Slide13 : Public Health
Prevent disease, prolong life, and promote health through organized community efforts, including sanitation, hygiene education, diagnoses, and preventative treatment
Slide14 : Pharmacology
Work in drug discovery, development, approval, and marketing, to ensure the validity and accuracy of findings at all stages of the process
Slide15 : Genetics
Label possible indicators of genetic abnormalities, such as birth defects and early aging, or breed desirable characteristics in plant offspring
Slide16 : Last year when I began applying to medical schools, the fact that I majored in statistics was always a good conversation point in interviews and made me more unique as an applicant.
” “ Amy Elise Derrow, Medical Student
Slide17 : Education
Teach K-12 through post-graduate students, assess teacher effectiveness, or develop statistical models to represent student learning
Slide18 : Science Writing & Journalism
Work with mass media, universities, and corporations to produce news briefs, articles, news releases, and other reports
Slide19 : Government
Work in regulations for stock trading, pollution, and drug approvals, or testify in court proceedings, congressional hearings, and lobbying arguments
Slide20 : Survey Methods
Collect data in the social sciences, education, law, forestry, agriculture, biology, medicine, business, and e-commerce, and for the government
Slide21 : I found that statistics used more reasoning and logic skills than the mathematics courses I had previously taken. The more I did statistics, the more I liked the “alternative” application of mathematics that it provided. I especially liked being able to use a lot of data and a little common sense to figure out problems.
“ ” Tiffany T. Sundelin, Quality Control Engineer
Slide22 : Law
Analyze data in court cases, including DNA evidence, salary discrepancies, discrimination law suits, and disease clusters
Slide23 : Consulting
Work on a temporary basis on a variety of projects including quality improvement, pharmaceuticals, ecology, and engineering
Slide24 : Agriculture
Study chemical pesticides, hydrogeology, veterinary sciences, genetics, and crop management in order to ensure optimal yield
Slide25 : Ecology
Address questions about the earth’s natural environment, including animal populations, agricultural protections, and fertilizer and pesticide safety
Slide26 :
I became involved with statistics because mathematics did not provide the avenue to cross into other areas of science and continue to learn about topics that interested me. I have stayed in statistics because of the diversity that it offers and because of the rational approach it provides to seek solutions to problems.
“ ” Dan Mowrey, Senior Research Scientist
Slide27 : How Do I Become
A Statistician?
Education : Education High School
Study statistics, mathematics, science, computer science, and English
College
Major in statistics, applied mathematics, or a closely related field (i.e. epidemiology, engineering)
Post-Graduate
Many career fields require a Master’s degree or PhD in a specialized statistical field
Skills : Skills Quantitative Skills
Statistics, Mathematics, Science
Problem Solving Skills
Analysis, Teamwork
Communication Skills
Verbal, Written
Computer Programming Languages
Foundation in Field of Application
Opportunities : Opportunities Diversity
Pure Research
Interdisciplinary Teams
Advancement
Experience, education, and communication skills lead to professional advancement
Versatility
Challenging and Exciting Fields of Application
2002 - 2003 Salary Report of Academic Statisticians : 2002 - 2003 Salary Report of Academic Statisticians The complete Salary Report can be downloaded at www.amstat.org/profession.
2001 Salary Report of Biostatistics : 2001 Salary Report of Biostatistics The complete Salary Report can be downloaded at
www.amstat.org/profession.
Employment and Salary Tables : Employment and Salary Tables The following tables were developed from the Scientist and Engineer Statistics Data System (SESTAT) database representing U.S. residents with at least a bachelor's degree who were working as a scientist or engineer during the reference week of April 15, 1997 or who had received at least a bachelor's degree in science or engineering as of the survey reference period.
There were 508 persons whose highest degree was in Statistics in the SESTAT database. Tabulations are based on these 508 persons.
Information on the survey methodology and reliability of estimates can be found at www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs.
Tables have a 90% confidence interval.
Occupation and Degree Type : Occupation and Degree Type
Slide35 : Percent of Persons Whose Highest Conferred Degree as of 1997 is in Statistics by Occupation and Type of Degree
About the ASA : About the ASA Career Services
Salary Reports, Job Ads, Articles
Education
Continuing Education, Workshops, Seminars
Awards and Honors
Scholarships, Fellowships
Meetings
Joint Statistical Meetings, Local Meetings
Publications
Journals, Magazines, Research Guides
And Always Remember : And Always Remember THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Slide38 : Contact the ASA for more information:
ATTN: Customer Service
732 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 684-1221
FAX: (703) 684-2037
Email: asainfo@amstat.org
Web: www.amstat.org