A Career in Statistics:
Beyond the Numbers
A valuable guide to a successful career as a statistician
A Career in Statistics: Beyond the Numbers prepares readers for careers in
statistics by emphasizing essential concepts and practices beyond the technical tools
provided in standard courses and texts. This insider's guide from internationally
recognized applied statisticians helps readers decide whether a career in statistics is
right for them, provides hands-on guidance on how to prepare for such a career, and shows
how to succeed on the job.
The book provides non-technical guidance for a successful career.
The authors' extensive industrial experience is supplemented by insights from
contributing authors from government and academia, Carol Joyce Blumberg, Leonard M.
Gaines, Lynne B. Hare, William Q. Meeker, and Josef Schmee. Following an introductory
chapter that provides an overview of the field, the authors discuss the various dimensions
of a career in applied statistics in three succinct parts:
The Work of a Statistician describes the day-to-day activities of applied
statisticians in business and industry, official government, and various other application
areas, highlighting the work environment and major on-the-job challenges
Preparing for a Successful Career in Statistics describes the personal traits
that characterize successful statisticians, the education that they need to acquire, and
approaches for securing the right job
Building a Successful Career as a Statistician offers practical guidance for
addressing key challenges that statisticians face on the job, such as project initiation
and execution, effective communication, publicizing successes, ethical considerations, and
gathering good data; alternative career paths are also described
The book concludes with an in-depth examination of careers for statisticians in
academia as well as tips to help them stay on top of their field throughout their careers.
Each chapter includes thought-provoking discussion questions and a Major Takeaways section
that outlines key concepts. Real-world examples illustrate key points, and an FTP site
provides additional information on selected topics.
A Career in Statistics is an invaluable guide for individuals who are
considering or have decided on a career in statistics as well as for statisticians already
on the job who want to accelerate their path to success. It also serves as a suitable book
for courses on statistical consulting, statistical practice, and statistics in the
workplace at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Table of Contents
PREFACE.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
CHAPTER 1 PROLOGUE: A CAREER IN STATISTICS.
1.1 About This Chapter.
1.2 What is Statistics?
1.3 Who is a Statistician?
1.4 Who Employs Statisticians?
1.5 The Statistical Thought Process and What Makes it Special.
1.6 Many Skills Required.
1.7 Beyond the Workplace.
1.8 Some Downsides of a Career in Statistics.
1.9 The Excitement of a Career in Statistics.
1.10 Embarking on a Career in Statistics.
1.11 Accreditation.
1.12 Professional Societies.
1.13 A Preview.
1.14 Further Reading.
1.15 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
PART I THE WORK OF A STATISTICIAN
CHAPTER 2 WHAT STATISTICIANS DO IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY.
2.1 About This Chapter.
2.2 Manufactured Product Applications.
2.3 Service Business Applications.
2.4 Process Improvement.
2.5 Further Applications.
2.6 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
CHAPTER 3 WHAT STATISTICIANS ENGAGED IN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT STATISTICS DO.
3.1 About This Chapter.
3.2 The Scope of Official Statistics.
3.3 Examples of the Work.
3.4 Challenges of the Work.
3.5 Research Opportunities.
3.6 Some Major Employers in the U.S. Federal Government.
3.7 Required Credentials.
3.8 Integration of U.S. Government Statistical Activities.
3.9 Local Official Government Statistics Activities.
3.10 Government Statisticians Outside The United States.
3.11 Compensation and Other Considerations.
3.12 Sources of Further Information.
3.13 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
CHAPTER 4 WHAT STATISTICIANS DO: SOME OTHER APPLICATION AREAS.
4.1 About This Chapter.
4.2 Regulatory Activities.
4.3 Health.
4.4 National Defense.
4.5 Other Scientific Research.
4.6 Social and Behavioral Sciences.
4.7 Teaching (in Nonacademic Settings).
4.8 Some Further Institutes for Research in the United States.
4.9 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
CHAPTER 5 THE WORK ENVIRONMENT AND ON-THE-JOB CHALLENGES.
5.1 About This Chapter.
5.2 Receptiveness to Statistics and Statisticians.
5.3 Where do Statisticians Fit into the Organization?
5.4 Two Modes of Operation.
5.5 Grading Systems.
5.6 Globalization.
5.7 Hail to Our Managers!
5.8 Some Challenges.
5.9 Women in Statistics.
5.10 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
PART II PREPARING FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN STATISTICS.
CHAPTER 6 CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL STATISTICIANS.
6.1 About This Chapter.
6.2 Analytical and Technical Skills.
6.3 Communication and Interpersonal Skills.
6.4 Ability to Size Up Problems and See the "Big Picture".
6.5 Flexibility.
6.6 A Proactive Mindset.
6.7 Persistence.
6.8 A Realistic Attitude.
6.9 Enthusiasm and Appropriate Self-Confidence.
6.10 Ability to Prioritize, Manage Time, and Cope with Stress.
6.11 Team Skills.
6.12 Leadership Skills.
6.13 Ability to Properly Apply and Adapt Knowledge.
6.14 Passion for Lifelong Learning.
6.15 Further Reading.
6.16 As Others See It.
6.17 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
CHAPTER 7 EDUCATION FOR SUCCESS.
7.1 About This Chapter.
7.2 The Statistics Advanced Placement Course and Other High School Programs.
7.3 Degrees in Statistics: The Numbers.
7.4 How Far To Go: Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. Degree?
7.5 Selecting the Right School and Program.
7.6 Statistical Education: Setting the Foundations.
7.7 Coursework in Statistics.
7.8 Statistical Computing and Software.
7.9 Some Other Recommendations.
7.10 Internships and University Consulting.
7.11 Entering Statistics from Other Fields.
7.12 Further Resources.
7.13 Concluding Comment: The Limits of Formal Statistical Education.
7.14 As Others See It.
7.15 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
CHAPTER 8 GETTING THE RIGHT JOB.
8.1 About This Chapter.
8.2 Defining Career Goals.
8.3 Identifying Opportunities.
8.4 Resume Writing.
8.5 The Job Interview.
8.6 Follow-Up.
8.7 Providing References.
8.8 Some Further Hints.
8.9 Assessing Job Offers.
8.10 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
PART III BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL CAREER AS A STATISTICIAN.
CHAPTER 9 ON-THE-JOB STRATEGIES: PROJECT INITIATION AND EXECUTION.
9.1 About This Chapter.
9.2 Project Initiation.
9.3 Project Execution.
9.4 As Others See It.
9.5 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
CHAPTER 10 ON-THE-JOB STRATEGIES: COMMUNICATION, PUBLICIZING, AND ETHICS.
10.1 About This Chapter.
10.2 Communication, Communication, Communication.
10.3 Publicizing Statistics (And Statisticians).
10.4 Ethical Considerations.
10.5 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
CHAPTER 11 GETTING GOOD DATA: A KEY CHALLENGE.
11.1 About This Chapter.
11.2 Designed Experiments.
11.3 Census and Random Sampling Studies of Human and Other Populations.
11.4 Systems Development Studies.
11.5 Observational Studies.
11.6 Hints for Getting the Right Data.
11.7 A Process for Data Gathering.
11.8 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
CHAPTER 12 CAREER PATHS.
12.1 About This Chapter.
12.2 Some Roles for Applied Statisticians.
12.3 Other Major Roles to which Applied Statisticians Might Aspire.
12.4 Some Career Paths.
12.5 More on Statistical Leadership.
12.6 Contributions Beyond the Workplace.
12.7 Some More Career Examples.
12.8 Putting It All Together.
12.9 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
PART IV FURTHER PERSPECTIVES: CAREERS IN ACADEMIA AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
CHAPTER 13 CAREERS IN ACADEMIA.
13.1 About This Chapter.
13.2 What Statisticians in Academia do: An Overview.
13.3 Types of Positions.
13.4 Location within the Institution.
13.5 More on Tenure.
13.6 Life Beyond Tenure.
13.7 Teaching Challenges.
13.8 Research Challenges.
13.9 Consulting Challenges.
13.10 Administrative Service Challenges.
13.11 Professional Service Challenges.
13.12 More on the Academic Environment.
13.13 Training to Become an Academic Statistician.
13.14 Career Paths.
13.15 Downsides of a Career as an Academic Statistician.
13.16 Bright Sides of a Career as an Academic Statistician.
13.17 A Career as a Statistician in Academia: A Summary Comparison.
13.18 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
CHAPTER 14 MAINTAINING THE MOMENTUM.
14.1 About This Chapter.
14.2 Some Internet Resources.
14.3 Formal Education.
14.4 Technical and Professional Journals.
14.5 Technical Conferences.
14.6 Future Opportunity Areas.
14.7 Major Takeaways.
Discussion Questions.
REFERENCES.
INDEX.
360 pages, Paperback