Jobs for the Major
How this major affects a job search
Pick a field, any field. We're not joking. Go for it.
We have no idea what you picked, or even if you're presently talking to your computer (if you are, don't worry, we all do it). Whatever you picked, there's a position for a statistician there. Just about any area you're passionate about has data that needs to be analyzed. And who knows how to analyze data with an eye for predictive trends?
You. Go ahead, pat yourself on the back.
When you're looking for a job, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the dizzying array of options. Go for what you're into. You've spent the time to get your degree; you know what you're doing. You're a lean, mean, number-crunching machine...actually, that's your laptop. But you are the master of the laptop.
Common Career Fields
Forensic Statistician. Got a crime fighter in you? Not of the Batman variety, unless you're calculating the chance of Batman punching a criminal in the face (95%, if you're wondering). Either way, there's a place for statisticians in the justice system. In this case, you're applying your statistical prowess to forensic evidence and specifically contributing to the credibility of whoever's team you're on: the prosecution or the defense. Side benefit: You might get a show based on you, featuring a quirky-yet-good-looking statistician who prevents crime with math.
Sports Statistician. The demand for statisticians in sports is a little crazy. TV channels need statisticians for analyses. Teams need them to make sure a player is being valued correctly. Fantasy leagues live in terror of the statistician coming in and winning every year. You can be the one they fear.
Actuary. This sounds like a member of the Enterprise's bridge crew. Honestly, they could use an actuary, if only to tell Kirk he's being crazy again. It's an actuary's job to assess risk. They're usually hired by private corporations to determine if a particular course of action is a good idea or not. "Should we keep attempting to dance with this grizzly bear, Mr. Actuary?" "Well, based on the number of bear attacks during dancing...no. Of course you shouldn't." Bam. Risk assessed.
Medical Statistician. Oh yeah, statisticians are vital in the medical industry, too. As you can imagine, risk assessment is important in a place where people are routinely cut open. Sometimes it involves something as simple as, "How many people really die from licking cell phones?" And sometimes it's a little more complex, like, "Just how dangerous is this medication?"
Political Statistician. Election coverage is an everyday occurrence these days. This one can't be a surprise. You know how they always have the percentages of voters backing issues before the voting even happens? That's thanks to statisticians collecting the data (using the arcane method of "asking people nicely"), and then doing the math.
Education. From the high school level to the college level, teaching is always a great place for statisticians. Here's the thing, though: you don't even necessarily have to teach statistics. Sure, if a college hires you, that's probably what it'll be for. But statisticians are equipped to teach most math that's out there. Plus, most programs will give you a minor in biology, chemistry, or some other science. If teaching is your passion, but you want the option to sell out for the big bucks, statistics is a good fit.
Market Research. This is probably the career that you had in your head the minute you read the title. It's a big one, too, where a lot of the financial reward comes in. Basically, these people make sure that corporations are selling things people want to buy. From cars to potato chips, from to movies to domestic penguins, market researchers make sure there's enough of a market to justify the product. When some CEO decides he wants Owl 'n' Onion potato chips, the market researcher is there to shake their head sadly and point to some numbers. No one wants owl flavoring in their chips, CEO person. No one.
Current unemployment of the major
5.0%Percentage of majors who get a higher degree after college
20%Stats obtained from this source.