Education
Describe the educational path to prepare for a career as a statistician or data scientist.
High School
- Study statistics (if available), mathematics, science, computer science (if available), English, and public speaking.
College
- Major in statistics (if possible), mathematics, applied mathematics, and/or computer science. Minor or do a concentration in statistics if a major is not available.
- Consider double majors and major/minor combinations with the above or with a particular field of interest such as biology, environmental science, business, finance, economics, sociology, and psychology.
- Participate in REUs and internships.
Post-Graduate
- A master’s degree in statistics, biostatistics, or data science can lead to a higher salary.
- Assistantships are often available for study at the master’s or PhD level.
- Investigate if the college of your choice has joint bachelor’s/master’s programs that can be completed in five years. These are sometimes called “five-year master’s degrees” or “4+1 programs.”
Describe the skills you use in your work.
- Quantitative Skills
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Communication Skills
- Programming Skills
- Domain Knowledge - expertise in a particular field such as biology, environmental science, business, finance, economics, sociology, and psychology