Career Guidance for Statistics Students

1. Career Guidance for Statistics Students

2. 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

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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. Tools & Technology Desktop computers Notebook computers Personal computers

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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?

15. Questions? Thank you