What Are the Different Types of Statistics Career Opportunities?

Many years ago we decided to make statistics our business. This proved to be one of the two best choices we have ever made (of course, this is only the second best choice compared to our choice of partner). In this book, we try to pass on our enthusiasm for statistical work to readers, help readers determine whether statistical work is suitable for them, tell them what to expect, and give them some suggestions for success. We also use our (and others') rich practical experience to give readers some important career guidance, not just to introduce the technical tools discussed in statistics courses and books.
This book fills the gap in The Role of Statistics in Business and Industry (Wiley, 2008). That early work introduced how to apply statistical concepts and methods to help companies improve their performance. It also discussed how to deal with difficult issues in a wide range of business operations that include products and services. In this book, we broaden our horizons in the field of statistical applications and focus on helping readers build successful careers.

Outline of the Book This book begins with a preface that introduces the basics of a statistical career and provides an overview of the field. The body of the book is divided into four parts:

· Part I: The work of statisticians.
Part II: Prepare for a successful statistical career.
Part III: Building a Successful Statistical Career.
Part IV: Expanding Horizons: Career Development in Academia and Industry.

We conclude with two chapters in Part IV. The first provides in-depth considerations of a career in statistics in academia, and the second introduces ways to help statisticians stay ahead of their field and stick to it for a long time.
At the end of each chapter, there will be a summary of "main knowledge points" and a series of issues that need to be discussed. Many of the questions here do not have clear answers, and these questions are set up primarily to stimulate readers to think more broadly about the topic. Questions marked with an asterisk do not require the reader to have any previous training in statistics. Some of the questions that do require statistics expertise are intended to challenge higher level students.

This book should arouse widespread interest from:
· People who have decided to pursue a career in statistics and are willing to prepare in the best way.
· Those who may have taken an introductory course on basic statistics in high school or university have stirred their curiosity about statistics and want to learn more about statistics.
· Newcomers who have just worked in statistics and want to improve efficiency, or people who have been in statistics for some time and want to speed up the success process.

This book is also suitable as a reference or supplementary reading if:
· Statistical consulting courses.
· Seminar courses on career opportunities, especially in mathematics and statistics.
· Independent courses to provide career guidance for students who will be on the job.

This book, along with "The Role of Statistics in Industry and Commerce," is suitable as a statistical practice course that provides students with insights that other courses usually cannot provide to help them succeed in their careers.
In addition, this book can also be used as a supplement to many different courses to supplement more professional materials. For example, it can be used with the second statistics course of the statistics major.
Some readers can use this book to help them decide whether to pursue a career in statistics. Once this is decided, our suggestions will help them plan a path. After they have completed formal education, this book can also help them build a successful career and help them build a confidence: at least know that there is something to look forward to in this uncertain world.
Finally, the book can help teachers and consultants, including high schools and colleges, guide students who may be suitable for a career in statistics.
In some discussions in the book, we assume that readers have taken a semester introductory course in statistics, but do not require knowledge beyond this range, although some readers may have far more knowledge than these.

Our Resources The insights presented in this book are based on a combination of our 75 years of experience as applied statisticians (the two authors combined). One of us has managed the company's statistics department for 28 years. Most of our work experience has been in the United States. However, in recent years we have also witnessed and participated in many global activities, and also gained some academic experience from public holidays and experiences as part-time professors.
To make this book more informative, we have invited five contributors with extensive experience working in universities and governments to write two chapters in this book, who have provided us with unique knowledge and insights. they are:
· Carol Joyce Bloomberg, a mathematical statistician at the U.S. Energy Information Administration and an honorary professor of mathematics and statistics at Winona State University.
· Leonard M. Gaines, New York State Empire State Development Corporation Development Planning Research Specialist (Chapter 3).
· Lynn B. Harriet, Head of Statistical Strategy Co., Ltd .; Director of Applied Statistics at Kraft Foods (retired); former Chief Executive of the Statistical Engineering Department of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
· William Q. Mick, Distinguished Professor, Department of Statistics, Iowa State University (Chapter 13).
Joseph Smith, KB Sharp, Emeritus Professor of Management, United College (Chapter 13).

This book provides readers with more perspectives in the following ways:
· We asked for opinions from 24 outstanding statisticians: on the one hand the qualities they believe are necessary for a successful statistical career, and on the other hand their advice to aspiring statistics professionals. Their opinions appear at the end of three of these chapters, which reaffirm and emphasize our point of view while giving us a deeper understanding.
· We cite a lot of other people's opinions from previous and current publications and published materials, and such references appear in many parts of this book.
· We invited many colleagues to read the first draft, and they criticized the first draft (see "Acknowledgements").
· We provide a large number of bibliographies, and recommend the website to readers, where readers can find further explanations and more points.

Beyond Numbers: Successful Statistical Career Planning

Translator's Preface Acknowledgements Chapter 1 Preface: Statistical Career 1.1 Overview of this Chapter 1.2 What Is Statistics?
1.3 What is a statistician?
1.4 Who employs statisticians?
1.5 Statistical Thinking Process and Its Features 1.6 Many Skills Needed by Statisticians 1.7 Statistics Outside the Workplace 1.8 Shortcomings of Statistical Profession 1.9 Exciting Statistical Career 1.10 Starting a Statistical Career 1.11 Certification 1.12 Professional Associations 1.13 Overview 1.14 Further Reading 1.15 Review the issues for discussion Part I The work of statisticians Chapter 2 What statisticians do in industry and commerce 2.1 This chapter outlines 2.2 Applications in product manufacturing 2.3 Service industry applications 2.4 Process improvement 2.5 Other applications 2.6 Key reviews Questions for discussion Chapter 3 What statisticians do in government statistics 3.1 Overview of this chapter 3.2 Scope of official statistics 3.3 Examples of statistical work 3.4 Challenges of work 3.5 Research opportunities 3.6 Some major employers of the US federal government 3.7 Qualifications required 3.8 United States Integration of government statistical activities 3.9 Statistical work of local governments 3.10 Government statistical workers outside the United States 3.11 Salary and related issues 3.12 More sources of information 3.13 Highlights for discussion Chapter 4 What statisticians do: in some other applications Domain 4.1 Overview of this chapter 4.2 Regulatory activities 4.3 Health 4.4 Defense 4.5 Other scientific research 4.6 Social and behavioral science 4.7 Teaching (in non-academic circles)
4.8 Other research institutions in the United States 4.9 Highlights for discussion Chapter 5 Work environment and career challenges 5.1 This chapter outlines 5.2 Acceptance of statistics and statisticians 5.3 Where do statisticians start to adapt to institutions?
5.4 Two operating modes 5.5 Grading system 5.6 Globalization 5.7 Long live the manager!
5.8 Some challenges 5.9 Women in statistics 5.10 Focus on reviewing issues for discussion Part II Preparing for a successful statistical career Chapter 6 The qualities of a successful statistician 6.1 This chapter outlines 6.2 Professional analytical skills 6.3 Interpersonal skills 6.4 Solutions Problem-solving ability 6.5 Flexibility 6.6 Positive attitude 6.7 Perseverance 6.8 Realistic attitude 6.9 Passion and proper self-confidence 6.10 Ability to stay ahead, manage time and cope with stress 6.11 Team spirit 6.12 Leadership 6.13 Ability to correctly understand and apply knowledge 6.14 Lifelong learning Enthusiasm 6.15 Extended reading 6.16 Other stones 6.17 Highlights for discussion Chapter 7 Leads to successful statistical education 7.1 This chapter outlines 7.2 AP courses in statistics and other high school courses 7.3 Degrees in statistics: number 7.4 How far to go : Bachelor, Master, or PhD?
7.5 Choosing the right school and training program 7.6 Statistics education: laying the foundation 7.7 Statistics courses 7.8 Statistics calculations and software 7.9 Some other suggestions 7.10 Internships and university consulting 7.11 Entering the field of statistics from other fields 7.12 More resources 7.13 Summary comments: formal Limitations of Statistical Education 7.14 Other Stones 7.15 Focus on Reviewing Questions for Discussion Chapter 8 Get Your Job 8.1 8.1 Overview of this Chapter 8.2 Defining Career Goals 8.3 Identifying Opportunities 8.4 Making Resume 8.5 Job Interviews 8.6 After Interviews 8.7 Providing Recommendation Letters 8.8 Many Tips 8.9 Evaluate Job Opportunities 8.10 Focus on Reviewing Issues for Discussion Part III Building a Successful Statistical Career Chapter 9 On-the-job Strategy: Project Initiation and Implementation 9.1 Overview of this Chapter 9.2 Project Initiation 9.3 Project Implementation 9.4 Brainstorming 9.5 Key Review for Discussion Questions Chapter 10 On-the-job Strategy: Communication, Advocacy, and Ethics 10.1 This chapter outlines 10.2 Communication, communication, communication 10.3 Promotion of statistics (and statisticians)
10.4 Ethical considerations 10.5 Key considerations for discussion Chapter 11. Obtaining good data: a key challenge 11.1 Overview of this chapter 11.2 Statistical experiments 11.3 Population and other general census and sampling studies 11.4 System development studies 11.5 Observation studies 11.6 Obtaining appropriate data Recommendation 11.7 The process of data collection 11.8 Focus on reviewing issues for discussion Chapter 12. Career paths 12.1 This chapter outlines 12.2 Some roles of applied statisticians 12.3 Other major roles that applied statisticians may pursue 12.4 Some career paths 12.5 Statistical leadership More aspects of the work 12.6 Contributions outside the workplace 12.7 Some more career examples 12.8 Integration 12.9 Focusing on issues for discussion Part IV Expanding horizons: Career development in academia and industry Chapter 13 Career in academia 13.1 This chapter outlines 13.2 What statisticians in academia do: Overview 13.3 Types of positions 13.4 Position in institutions 13.5 Further explanation of tenure positions 13.6 Life outside tenure positions 13.7 Challenges in teaching 13.8 Challenges in research 13.9 Challenges in consulting 13.10 Administration Service Pick Battle 13.11 Challenges of professional services 13.12 More discussion about the academic environment 13.13 Training to become an academic statistician 13.14 Career path 13.15 The shortcomings of academic statistics careers 13.16 The advantages of academic statistics careers 13.17 As academic statistics Career careers: a summary comparison 13.18 Focus on reviewing issues for discussion Chapter 14 Maintaining momentum 14.1 Overview of this chapter 14.2 Some website resources 14.3 Formal education 14.4 Professional and vocational journals 14.5 Professional meetings 14.6 Future areas of opportunity 14.7 Key reviews for discussion Question reference