Career Guidance for Statistics Students

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• Career Guidance for Statistics Students

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Computer Operators

• Monitor and control electronic computer and
  peripheral electronic data processing equipment
  to process business, scientific, engineering, and
  other data according to operating instructions.
  May enter commands at a computer terminal and set
  controls on computer and peripheral devices.
  Monitor and respond to operating and error
  messages.
• Sample of reported job titles Computer Operator,
  Operations and Maintenance Technician, Computer
  Specialist, Information Technology Specialist,
  Software Technician

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Statistician, Biostatistician, Statistical
Analyst Education Research AnalystResearch
AssociateClinical Biostatistics Director,
Clinical Statistics Manager, Institutional
Research Director, Program Research Specialist,
Research Analyst
What do you want to become?
Sample of reported job titles
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Tasks

• Report results of statistical analyses, including
  information in the form of graphs, charts, and
  tables.
• Process large amounts of data for statistical
  modeling and graphic analysis, using computers.
• Identify relationships and trends in data, as
  well as any factors that could affect the results
  of research.
• Analyze and interpret statistical data in order
  to identify significant differences in
  relationships among sources of information.
• Prepare data for processing by organizing
  information, checking for any inaccuracies, and
  adjusting and weighting the raw data.

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Tasks

• Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures
  used to obtain data in order to ensure validity,
  applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
• Evaluate sources of information in order to
  determine any limitations in terms of reliability
  or usability.
• Plan data collection methods for specific
  projects, and determine the types and sizes of
  sample groups to be used.
• Design research projects that apply valid
  scientific techniques and utilize information
  obtained from baselines or historical data in
  order to structure uncompromised and efficient
  analyses.
• Develop an understanding of fields to which
  statistical methods are to be applied in order to
  determine whether methods and results are
  appropriate

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Tools Technology

• Desktop computers
• Notebook computers
• Personal computers

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Technology

• Analytical or scientific software SAS software
  
• The Mathworks MATLAB XGobi XLISP-STAT
• Data base user interface and query software IBM
  DB2 Microsoft Access Oracle software
• Structured query language SQLData mining software
  Angoss Knowledge SEEKER NCR Teradata Warehouse
  Miner SAS Enterprise Miner Development
  environment

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Technology used

• software Common business oriented language
  COBOL Formula translation/translator FORTRAN
• Microsoft Visual Basic Object or component
  oriented development software C R Sun
  Microsystems Java Sybase PowerBuilder
• Office suite software Microsoft Office
• Word processing software Microsoft Word

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Knowledge

• Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra,
  geometry, calculus, statistics, and their
  applications.
• Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit
  boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment,
  and computer hardware and software, including
  applications and programming.
• English Language Knowledge of the structure and
  content of the English language including the
  meaning and spelling of words, rules of
  composition, and grammar.
• Education and Training Knowledge of principles
  and methods for curriculum and training design,
  teaching and instruction for individuals and
  groups, and the measurement of training effects.

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Abilities

• Mathematical Reasoning The ability to choose
  the right mathematical methods or formulas to
  solve a problem.
• Number Facility The ability to add, subtract,
  multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
• Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine
  pieces of information to form general rules or
  conclusions (includes finding a relationship
  among seemingly unrelated events).
• Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply
  general rules to specific problems to produce
  answers that make sense.
• Near Vision The ability to see details at close
  range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Category Flexibility The ability to generate or
  use different sets of rules for combining or
  grouping things in different ways.

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Abilities

• Information Ordering The ability to arrange
  things or actions in a certain order or pattern
  according to a specific rule or set of rules
  (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words,
  pictures, mathematical operations).
• Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and
  understand information and ideas presented
  through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression The ability to communicate
  information and ideas in speaking so others will
  understand.
• Written Comprehension The ability to read and
  understand information and ideas presented in
  writing.

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Work Activities

• Analyzing Data or Information Identifying the
  underlying principles, reasons, or facts of
  information by breaking down information or data
  into separate parts.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and
  computer systems (including hardware and
  software) to program, write software, set up
  functions, enter data, or process information.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and
  otherwise obtaining information from all relevant
  sources.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding,
  categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing,
  or verifying information or data.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or
  Subordinates Providing information to
  supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by
  telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  Developing specific goals and plans to
  prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping
  up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge
  to your job.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for
  Others Translating or explaining what
  information means and how it can be used.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analyzing
  information and evaluating results to choose the
  best solution and solve problems
• .Documenting/Recording Information Entering,
  transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining
  information in written or electronic/magnetic
  form.

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Work Activities

• Processing Information Compiling, coding,
  categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing,
  or verifying information or data.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or
  Subordinates Providing information to
  supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by
  telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  Developing specific goals and plans to
  prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping
  up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge
  to your job.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for
  Others Translating or explaining what
  information means and how it can be used.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analyzing
  information and evaluating results to choose the
  best solution and solve problems.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering,
  transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining
  information in written or electronic/magnetic
  form.

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Work Context

• Electronic Mail How often do you use electronic
  mail in this job? Spend Time Sitting How much
  does this job require sitting?
• Telephone How often do you have telephone
  conversations in this job?
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate How
  important is being very exact or highly accurate
  in performing this job?
• Face-to-Face Discussions How often do you have
  to have face-to-face discussions with individuals
  or teams in this job?
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled How often
  does this job require working indoors in
  environmentally controlled conditions?
• Structured versus Unstructured Work To what
  extent is this job structured for the worker,
  rather than allowing the worker to determine
  tasks, priorities, and goals?
• Work With Work Group or Team How important is
  it to work with others in a group or team in this
  job?
• Freedom to Make Decisions How much decision
  making freedom, without supervision, does the job
  offer?
• Importance of Repeating Same Tasks How
  important is repeating the same physical
  activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities
  (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and
  over, without stopping, to performing this job?

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• Questions?
• Thank you