“Measure what is measurable, and make measurable what is not so.” - Galileo Galilei
Statistics is the study of data for the purpose of analysis and interpretation. It includes collecting, organizing, analyzing, interpreting and presenting numerical data. Statistics also includes the detailed study of the various methods and ways through which data can be collected and analyzed. It is considered to be a separate mathematical science rather than a part of mathematics because it includes the study of the various ways through which data can be collected, verified etc. Practitioners of this science are called Statisticians.
Statisticians practice applied and inferential statistics to come up with logical and meaningful conclusions. Statistics as a career option can be very beneficial. It is a career that is growing at a steady rate and has a bright future. Statisticians are well paid professionals who work in a variety of fields such as Governmental organizations, Business organizations, NGOs etc.
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What do Statisticians do?
Statistics is a very old field of study and Statisticians were hired by Kings to study phenomena like migration, taxes etc. Statisticians today study data and look for patterns and instances through which they can draw suitable conclusions. They are involved in coming up with opinion polls, future growth predictions etc.
Statisticians decide the purpose of their research, and then decide upon the sources and methods through which the data will be collected. They take into account many ethical and legal considerations while deciding upon the sources and methods.
Statistics relies heavily on sampling. As it is not possible or practical to go to each person and collect data, sample quantities of people are used to represent everybody. For example, if Statisticians have to find out about the years in which the maximum amount of migrants came to a city, they will go to migrant colonies and ask questions from a certain amount of people, say 1000. These 1000 people are the sample. They will act as a representative of the total migrant population of that city. It is absolutely essential for Statisticians to choose appropriate sample sizes for their research.
After deciding upon a sample size, Statisticians physically collect and verify the data. This can include going door to door in order to collect information or using information from other sources like the internet etc. They have to verify whether this data is accurate or not.
Statisticians also organize the collected data. Organizing includes sorting the data out in various models so that the analysis becomes easier and faster. This might include excluding irrelevant data, highlighting important data etc.
One of the main jobs of a Statistician is to analyze and assess the collected data. This includes looking for patterns, spotting important instances etc. This is the main part of a Statistician’s research.
Statisticians have to interpret the data and come up with suitable conclusions once they have analyzed the data. This is the purpose of their research. These interpretations and conclusions are aimed at explaining occurrences and understanding the cause of events. Statisticians have to write reports about their interpretations and conclusions and explain them in detail.
Statisticians are also heavily involved in their independent research work. This includes coming up with different types of data collecting models. They work towards coming up with new and better ways to collect and utilize data.
Many Statisticians are also involved in advising clients and their superiors. Based on their inferences, they give advice regarding what actions should be take right now to have a secure future. This is prevalent in both Government as well as private jobs.
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There are many new and upcoming career avenues for Statisticians such as:
Analytics – Analytics is the ability to collect data and use that data to come up with suitable interpretations that can help us in making decisions. It is widely used in the online world by websites to calculate many details like the amount of clicks on a particular link, the amount of visitors, the amount of people who browsed on the site for long etc. Such information is used by Statisticians to calculate the effective of ad campaigns and know more about the users of the website.
Biostatistics – Biostatistics is basically the use of Statistics in medicine and biological research. It is very helpful in designing and carrying out biological experiments, as the quantification of data can help Statisticians come up with suitable inferences that are accurate and helpful to humanity.
Market Research – Market Research is the process of gathering suitable information about customers, demand and supply through the use of Statistics. The main aim of market research is to increase the total profit by increasing the amount of customers. Statisticians often carry out market research for business organizations and come up with good advice for them regarding their business strategies.
Election Polls and Online Surveys – Statisticians often work in Governmental organizations like the Election commission etc. to calculate census and election poll results. Such polls help change the future of the country and it is the job of the Statistician to accurately come up with results. They often use these polls to draw inferences as to where and what led to the result. A lot of Statisticians also work in creating and studying the results of Online Surveys. Such surveys are carried out for a variety of reasons and Statisticians use the collected data to come up with interpretations that can be used as advice.
How to become a Statistician?
Statistics is a mathematical science that is applicable almost everywhere. Every company uses samples and surveys to gather information. They use statistics to find out whether there is a genuine demand for a product or not. Statisticians are hard – working professionals, with a lot of academic knowledge.
To become a Statistician, you need to start concentrating on your studies from school itself. Focus on subjects like Math, Science and Computers. Choose the Science stream after your 10th and take Statistics as a subject if your school provides that option. Physics, Chemistry, Math and Computers are other important subjects.
Once you complete your schooling, you need to get a graduate degree in Statistics, Mathematical Science or a related field. This is considered to be the minimum educational qualification one needs to have in order to become a Statistician. Even though you can get entry –level jobs as a Graduate, most Statisticians study further to get better jobs and salaries. A Master’s in Statistics or a related field can do wonders for your career.
As the job of a Statistician is academically inclined, a lot of Statisticians decide to pursue a Doctorate degree. This is extremely important for Statisticians who want conduct independent research.
Once you complete your PhD, you can choose to do Post – Doctoral jobs in the University till you get a permanent job. These jobs mostly include teaching students and guiding there research. They can also help you sustain yourself while you conduct independent research.
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Experience is a vital component of a good Statistician. Therefore, working as an intern during your school and college years is very helpful. You can find out how professional Statisticians work and assist them in their research at the same time. Internships can also help you make great contacts.
Working and researching on your own is very beneficial if you want to become a Statistician. You can conduct research on smaller scales such as within your colony. Try to get into the habit of seeing the meaning behind numbers. Carry out your own research on different topics to gain experience as well as increase knowledge.
Institutions:
Statistics is a scientific field and there many reputed institutions in the country that offer courses in it. For Undergraduate degrees, the Indian Statistical Institute is a very good option. The Bangalore branch offers a B.Math (Hons.) course and the Kolkata branch offers a B.Stat (Hons.) degree upon graduation. Lady Shriram College, Delhi and St. Xavier’s, Bombay are also very good for undergraduate courses in Statistics. Both offer B.Sc courses in Statistics and related fields. For your Master’s, IIT Kanpur is one of the best institutions. It offers a M.Sc course in Statistics at the post – graduate level and a B.S course in Statistics at the under – graduate level.
What are the skills required to become a Statistician?
Statisticians are very intelligent people with strong analytical skills. They should have a solid knowledge base in Mathematics as well as Science. They should have the ability to think logically and solve problems by making decisions. Statisticians need to have excellent communication skills as they often need to explain their research and observations. They should have the ability to meet deadlines and constantly work under pressure. Statisticians also need to have the ability to work as a team member and an individual. They need to have excellent computer skills as most of their analysis and organizing of data takes place on computers and custom made software. Most of all, Statisticians should be genuinely interested in playing with numbers and studying the meanings behind them to come up with suitable inferences that show the reality.
Is this the right career for me?
Statisticians have normal jobs and work for regular hours but often have to work overtime to meet deadlines. They spend their day in front of computers researching and analyzing data. They lead stressful lives and some Statisticians need to travel to do field work as well. It is a well paying job that provides good growth opportunities.
So if your true passion lies in playing with numbers and revealing truths through them, and if you’re willing to work under constant pressure for the sake of your love for the subject and desire for truth, then this might be the right career for you.
