Hindsight Is 2023 for Former Statistics and Data Science Students
September 14, 2023
It’s back-to-school season! Gear up for the upcoming semester and consider diving into the captivating world of statistics and data science. Looking for diverse job opportunities that span across every industry? Look no further!
With a variety of graduate programs and jobs, now is a great time for students to become data scientists and statisticians. Don’t just take our word for it! As seasoned data scientists and statisticians reflect on their academic journeys, many have shared with This is Stats about why pursuing a career in this field set them on a career path they love. After all, hindsight is 20/20.
For students considering pursuing the field, we have rounded up advice from our archive of profiles.
“I learned that the statistical community is one that I would very much like to be a part of.”
When 13-year-old Jenny Chen faced the challenge of struggling to improve her swim performance, she turned to statistical modeling. Jenny’s search for a solution to her swimming goals led her to a new love- statistics! Read more about her statistical journey: Swimming Against the Tide with Statistics.
“Many scientific studies that garner general public interest—whether it be a medical study, a climate model, sport science, nutrition science, or psychology—rely heavily on statistical arguments. It takes some statistical savvy to wade through it all at journalistic pace, separating genuinely compelling findings from the more preliminary stuff.”
During a summer as an AAAS Mass Media Fellow, Irineo Cabreros found his adoration for journalism to complement his love for statistics and data science. Learn more about his summer experience with Slate Magazine: 3 Statistics Lessons from a Summer as a Science Journalist.
“For those thinking about pursuing statistics, I would tell them to go for it. The skills you develop will be applied across fields and are extremely useful – more than anyone realizes.”
As an undergraduate economics student in India, Madhumita Roy discovered statistics could help to analyze data and find meaningful results no matter how diverse or complicated the problem is. Read about Madhumita’s academic experience and why the life of a statistician attracted her: A Passion for Statistics: An Interview with Madhumita Roy.
“In the number of data analytics roles I’ve held since [my undergraduate statistics class], it has become increasingly apparent how wrong my initial view of statistics and statisticians was. I’ve learned that statisticians can be brave, yes, but brave is only one of the many things they can be.”
Nick Thieme is fascinated by the new statistical methods, philosophies, and applications being created and introduced. Each can lead to endless opportunities for exciting projects. Check out how Nick got his start as a Fellow for ASA: Stats in Action: Meet AAAS Mass Media Fellow Nick Theime.
“For students who want to pursue a career in collaborative biostatistics, my biggest piece of advice would be to not worry too much about your undergraduate major. There were so many collaborative biostatisticians that I met who didn’t study mathematics or statistics as undergraduates and still found their way to this field.”
As a participant of the Collaborative Undergraduate Biostatistics Experience (CUBE) program at Virginia Tech, Kayla Williams learned the value of collaboration with mentors and peers who will support your work and your career journey. Her biggest takeaway? Asking for help! Sometimes the bravest and smartest thing you can do is ask questions to gain clarity about a research project. Read all about Kayla’s experience: Perspectives: CUBE Program: A Student’s View of the World of Biostatistics
The uncertainty of life after graduation can be intimidating. Take a leap of faith and try a statistics class this year! You might learn you want to become a statistician or data scientist too!
For even more perspectives from statisticians, check out our most recent profiles.
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Hindsight Is 2023 for Former Statistics and Data Science Students
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