Statistics Major Careers

Area

Employer

Information/Strategies

Government

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Census Bureau
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Energy, Office of Energy Research
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Food and Drug Administration
• National Institutes of Health
• National Science Foundation
• National Institute of Standards and Technology
• National Security Agency
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Office of Naval Research
• Army Research Office
• State and local government

• Approximately 20% of statisticians work for the federal government, and they are found in nearly all agencies and departments. An additional 10% work in state and local governments.
• Plan to earn a master’s or doctoral degree to qualify for most “statistician” jobs.
• Some positions are available for students with bachelor’s degrees in statistics.
• Develop a strong background in computers because they are used extensively for statistical applications.
• Complete an internship with a government organization.
• Learn about the government hiring process and plan to apply early. Research special hiring authorizations to be hired and promoted more quickly.

Business and Industry

• Manufacturers
• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms
• Communications industry
• Consumer marking firms
• Consulting firms
• Research centers and laboratories
• Utility companies
• Environmental clean-up firms
• Software developers
• Engineering firms
• Transportation companies
• Financial institutions
• Insurance companies
• Nonprofit organizations

• Take a well-rounded selection of business and computer courses.
• Plan to earn a master’s or doctoral degree for higher level positions.
• Gain relevant experience through internships.
• Develop a strong background in computers because they are used extensively for statistical applications.
• Learn to work well both independently and on interdisciplinary teams.
• Develop the ability to communicate statistical aspects of business decisions to a wide array of people.

Health and Medicine

• Pharmaceutical companies
• Biotechnology firms
• Hospitals
• National laboratories
• Government agencies such as:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Food and Drug Administration
  • National Institutes of Health
• Research universities
• Animal health industry
• Scientific journals

• Supplement curriculum with courses such as biology, chemistry, biostatistics, and other natural sciences.
• Learn to work well on interdisciplinary teams.
• Complete a relevant internship.
• Develop strong written and verbal communication skills. Statisticians in this field may frequently write technical reports.

Insurance

• Insurance carriers
• Insurance agents and brokers
• Professional, scientific, and technical consulting firms
• Government agencies

• Take additional courses in mathematics and finance.
• Complete an internship with an insurance agency to gain relevant experience.
• Talk to professionals in the industry to learn more about claims, underwriting, and risk management.
• Many entry-level positions exist in these areas.
• Develop strong communication skills, as many positions require interaction with others and the ability to explain information clearly and concisely.
• Learn how to use statistical analysis software and various computer programming languages.
• More than half of actuaries work for insurance carriers.
• Plan to take a series of actuarial exams to gain licensure from either the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society. The type of insurance you deal with will determine which path to pursue. Most actuaries take these exams while working full-time, and the process takes several years.

Operations Management

• Operations Research Analysis:
  • Business strategy
  • Facilities layout
  • Inventory control
  • Personnel scheduling
• Production Management:
  • Line supervision
  • Manufacturing management
  • Production planning
  • Quality assurance
• Materials Management:
  • Purchasing/buying
  • Traffic management
  • Inventory management

• Manufacturers
• Industrial organizations
• Service organizations

• Develop strong analytical skills and a logical approach to problem solving.
• Take additional courses in management.
• Acquire skills in budgeting and cost management.
• Learn to manage multiple situations and problems.
• Learn to communicate effectively with different types of people in various functional areas.
• Earn an MBA to reach higher levels of operations management.

Banking and Finance

• Commercial banks
• Credit unions
• Savings and loan associations
• Savings banks
• Mortgage banks
• Captive finance companies
• Regulatory agencies including:
  • Federal Reserve
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
  • Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
  • Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS)
• Brokerage firms

• Build a solid background in business including marketing, finance, and accounting.
• Gain experience through part-time, summer or internship positions in a financial service firm.
• Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills in order to work well with a diverse clientele.
• Plan to earn an MBA to enter investment banking.

Education

• Plan to earn a doctoral degree.
• Maintain a high undergraduate g.p.a. and secure strong recommendations from faculty.
• Volunteer to assist a faculty member with his or her research or find a part-time job as a research assistant.