• Statistician Job Description

  A statistician is a person whose job is to collect, organize and analyze data to identify relationships and trends and make projections using the data. Statisticians design and apply statistical techniques to solve problems in areas such as business, finance, education, agriculture, engineering, the sciences and government.

  A statistician should be enthusiastic, perceptive, logical and methodical, and have the ability to work with large quantities of numerical data and translate them into ideas and words. They should also be able to communicate effectively to explain statistical information and ideas to others in the simplest of ways.

  Pursue a career in statistics if you are a logical person who is interested in working with numerical data and people to find practical solutions to real world problems.
  

• What does a Statistician do?

  Statisticians may do some or all of the following:

  • design methods of gathering data such as surveys, experiments and questionnaires
  • collect data or supervise and provide guidance to workers who collect them
  • analyze and interpret data
  • use data to make forecasts and solve problems
  • prepare reports of statistical analyses
  • stay-up-to-date with developments in the field

• Where does a Statistician work?

  Places of work for statisticians include:

  • Engineering companies
  • Information technology companies
  • Government agencies
  • Sport agencies
  • Environmental agencies
  • Banks and investment firms
  • Medical research firms
  • Market research firms
  • Psychological research firms
  • Colleges and universities

• Working Conditions

  Statisticians usually work normal business hours, but may sometimes work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines. They work indoors in offices and classrooms, and outdoors conducting or supervising surveys to gather data.

• What is Required to Become a Statistician?

  To become a statistician, you will need to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in statistics or a closely related discipline.

• Modules

  Just to give you an idea, some of the classes that you’ll be taking in college may include:

  • Multivariable calculus
  • Linear algebra
  • Computing and computational techniques
  • Mathematical analysis
  • Theory and applications of probability
  • Theory of statistical inference
  • Methods and practice of data analysis

• Specializations

  A statistician may specialize to become any of the following:

  • Applied statistician – a person who applies statistics to solve problems in areas such as business, medicine or engineering
  • Mathematical statistician – a person who develops new statistical theories and methodologies

• Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

  Statisticians need to have:

  • patience
  • adaptability
  • persistence
  • precision
  • self-confidence
  • creativity and innovation
  • good memory
  • good attention to detail
  • good interpersonal skills
  • good judgment and decision making skills
  • good listening and communication skills
  • analytical and problem solving skills
  • computer and programming skills
  • time-management and organizational skills
  • the ability to ask the right questions
  • the ability to work calmly under pressure
  • the ability to concentrate for long periods of time
  • the ability to work with large quantities of numerical data
  • the ability to apply mathematical and statistical principles and theories to solve problems
  • knowledge of statistical sampling and survey methodology
  • knowledge of SAS programming and/or other statistical software
  • knowledge of statistical research principles, methods, procedures and standards.

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