Opportunities galore for statisticians

Statistics is the science of collection, compilation, organization, analysis and presentation of numerical data. Statisticians are professionals who collect, verify and interpret data and use it to solve problems in a variety of fields.

The different areas of statistics are census statistics, ecological statistics, crime statistics, medical statistics, market statistics, population statistics, election statistics, tourism statistics etc. This field requires an analytical brain and comprehending ability to interpret numerical data and give an explanation to the general public in simple words. Various methods like surveys, questionnaires are used to study real life problems.

Today the world around us is changing rapidly – the data revolution has replaced the lives. To benefit from the globalization – words like big data, meta-data, spatial data, para-data are part of the every day.

Performance and growth of industry in India.

In today’s world every country has its own statistical agencies. Department of Statistics in the Ministry of Planning and Programme implementation is the apex body of the official system in India. There is a huge demand of statisticians in the country.

A qualified statistician can find various job opportunities in private, public sector, financial institutions and major corporate. They can also apply for the Indian Statistical Services, Civil Services and Indian Economic Services exams.

They can work as statistical researcher, consultant, econometrician, biostatistician, research analyst, medical statistician, epidemiologist etc.

The other fields in which statisticians works are Government operation, surveys, business, scientific research, planning commission, Institute of applied manpower research, banks and public sector undertaking etc.

Statisticians use sampling techniques to determine sizes of relative populations and demographics. This process is achieved by surveying portions of large groups.

They determine the size of group samples and the methods for carrying these samples out. This includes stylizing the instructions and questions to be used in surveys. Finally, statisticians summarize, analyze, and interpret the resultant data.

Statisticians are also heavily involved in the development of products and quality factors. They often work for automobile, pharmaceutical, or computer software companies in trial testing and product evaluation.

Apart from development, statisticians are also involved with the manufacturing, asset, liability, and risk management, and marketing departments of firms.

Most government organizations and agencies hire statisticians to evaluate population, demographic, and economic measurements. Many other environmental, scientific, and agricultural agencies hire statisticians for similar type of work in their respective fields.

Even national defense organizations hire statisticians to assess weapons and strategy effectiveness.
Different job titles exist for different statistical specializations. Biostatisticians and epidemiologists are two examples of job titles within the health industry.

Econometricians work in areas involving economic research and data.
Over the course of the next decade, job growth is likely to decline. Many opportunities should nonetheless be open to job seekers with the appropriate degree.

Instead of having a typical statistician job profile, however, these workers may instead work in analysis areas for science, computer and business fields. Although job growth is not likely to expand, opportunities are still afforded through employee turnovers and career transfers.

The most qualified candidates for such jobs are those with a graduate education in statistics relating to finance, engineering, computer science, and biology. Government has many openings for statisticians within its different departments, and these jobs are considered to be highly competitive due to their lower expectation and requirements for beginner jobs.

Statisticians work for manufacturing firms in areas such as aircraft, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, food and chemicals. A pharmaceutical firm may employ a statistician to evaluate drug efficiency. A motor vehicle company may hire statistician for quality control purposes in testing automobiles. They may also work with scientists and engineers in researching and analyzing new product development.

Many software firms also hire statisticians for quality control and software development.Businesses work with statisticians in evaluating overall business-run efficiency and profit.

Statisticians in this field also offer consulting services to another business. Generally, statisticians ought to have current computer skills and awareness, including programming and software equipment.

Become an analytical expert.

A statistician's role is to give life to data, literally. Using statistical methods interprets numerical facts and creates valuable information backed by summary of data and findings.

Statistics is a field which helps us to differentiate. It substantiates your findings and helps you state results, objectively. Statistical analysis is like gospel for decision making for research, industrial planning or policy formulation. (The writer is Deputy Statistical Officer, Planning Department, Telangana Secretariat.

By:Gudipati Rajendera Kumar