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Statisticians Launch Effort to Highlight Fast-Growing but Little-Known STEM CareerWASHINGTON --(Business Wire)-- The American Statistical Association (ASA), the oldest and largest organization of professional statisticians, today launches an effort to educate students, parents, teachers and counselors about careers in statistics. The rapidly growing field offers a variety of lucrative job opportunities in a broad array of sectors including technology, media, finance, medicine, politics and even professional sports, yet often remains overlooked in discussions about STEM education and careers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for statisticians will grow 27 percent between 2012 and 2022, much faster than the growth rate of 18 percent for computer occupations, and 11 percent for all occupations. The median salary for data scientists with less than three years of experience is $80,000 and $150,000 for those with nine or more years of experience, according to the Burtch Works 2014 report. Despite these promising factors, the McKinsey Global Institute predicts by 2018 the U.S. will need up to 190,000 new professionals with analytical skills to manage and support the Big Data operations of private companies and nonprofit organizations. To help recruit the next generation of professional statisticians, the American Statistical Association built an informational website, thisisstatistics.org, introducing students to the field of statistics, including what statisticians do and where they work. It includes video interviews of up-and-coming statisticians, career and salary information, sectors that employ statisticians and an interactive map of select organizations across the world where statisticians work. In addition, parents, teachers and counselors will find resources they can share with students. "We want to show students who think statistics isn't for them that it is worth a closer look," said Ron Wasserstein, Executive Director of ASA. "A degree in statistics opens doors to virtually any industry sector, anywhere in the world, and gives young people an opportunity to make a difference while also making a great salary and doing interesting work." The profession of statistics has been around for centuries and has always been essential to combating disease, making drugs effective and safe, and understanding people and society. But it's also becoming part of the fabric of nearly every sector of the economy. To learn more about careers in statistics, visit www.ThisisStatistics.org. About the American Statistical Association The American Statistical Association is the world's largest community of statisticians and the second-oldest continuously operating professional society in the United States. Its members serve in industry, government and academia in more than 90 countries, advancing research and promoting sound statistical practice to inform public policy and improve human welfare. For additional information about the American Statistical Association, please visit the ASA website at www.amstat.org.
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