A Career in Statistics: Beyond the Numbers [Brossura]

First let me say that I have a positive bias toward this book. Gerry Hahn is a good friend of mine and in my opinion a very good author. He invited me, among others, to review a draft version of the book. I made many suggestions and provided some quotes that were used in the book and I got a very nice acknowledgement in the preface. So that is worth keeping in mind when you read the review. Those of you that know me and my reviews probably realize that I take the reviewing process very seriously and mainly review books that I like and think I can help prospective readers decide if the book is right for them. Some books are more suited for technical audiences, others for the general public and others cater to a special group.

"Careers in Statistics: Beyond the Numbers" is geared toward undergraduate or graduate students considering a career in statistics. It is also useful to those think of a career change. As you can see from the back cover Gerry worked for GE for practically his entire career (an amazing 46 years) and he managed the statistical research group there for 28 years. At one time I was considering taken a position working for him at GE. He is now retired but is providing a great service to other statisticians by writing books about his experience as a statistician. Necip Doganaksoy is a colleague of Gerry's who worked for Gerry at GE for many years and continues to work there for Roger Hoerl since Gerry's retirement. Hahn and Doganaksoy also recently published a book together titled "The Role of Statistics in Business and Industry." Gerry and Necip definitely have the knowledge and experience to write an authoritative book about what it is like to be a statistician in industry.

This book covers what a statistician in business and industry does on a daily basis including what skills are required and what degrees might be needed. That is covered in the first section "The Work of a Statistician." The section also describes the differences between careers in health, national defense, academia and the social and behavioral sciences.

The second section "Preparing for a Successful Career in Statistics" covers the attributes that comprise a successful statistician and what courses and degrees to obtain for a career in statistics.

The third section discusses what it takes to move from an initial position to a successful career in the field making the book also attractive to current statisticians. The fourth section provides additional perspectives on the differences between careers in academia and industry and how to continue to develop as a statistician.

There is great practical advice and insight in the book coming mainly from Gerry and Necip but also from the five other statisticians that they invited to contribute to the writing of the book. These statisticians also provide great insight from a variety of perspectives. They are Carol Blumberg, Leonard Gaines,Lynne Hare, Bill Meeker and Josef Schmee. As can be seen from the acknowledgement there were many others besides me that contributed to the review of the book and several who provided quotes that were used in the book.

I often get asked by young prospective statisticians what it is like to have a career as a statistician. They have many questions and I try to give good answers. This book however is unique as a text that provides such guidance and from now on whenever someone asks me about a career in statistics I will point them to this book which I think addresses their questions and concerns much better than I could with just my personal account.

"A Career in Statistics: Beyond the Numbers" has the look and feel of a textbook. It includes advice for instructors, chapter summaries, and chapter-end discussion questions, and it's published by a textbook publisher. It also reads like a (good) textbook, which means that it is well-written, well-organized, and fairly dry. That's the way it goes. If "A Career in Statistics" is required for a class you're taking, just bite the bullet and buy the book.

Most other potential purchasers will be reading "A Career in Statistics" because they're looking for some specific advice. They may want to know whether they have what it takes to be a successful statistician (ch. 6) and whether any of the career options available to statisticians appeal to them (ch. 2-4, 12-13). They may want to know whether they should pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree, or whether an MA/MS makes more sense than a PhD (ch. 7). They may already be statisticians who are trying to land a job (ch. 8) or hoping for advice on how to function more effectively and advance their professional careers (ch. 5, 9-10, 14).

To sum up what the authors have to say in a few sentences: A statistical career is for people who enjoy doing math and love solving problems. It is not for asocial nerds, however; especially outside of academia, being able to communicate simply and clearly and to cooperate with others is essential. An undergraduate degree in statistics is worthwhile, but you will get much farther with a graduate degree. Unless you want to be an academic theoretician (and it's fine if you do), pick up substantive knowledge in a secondary field that interests you, whether it's health or business or whatever. Once you have a job, do your best to convince non-statistician colleagues and managers (where applicable) that statisticians need to be brought in during the design phase of research projects; too often, statisticians are treated like alchemists who can turn garbage (terrible data) into shining treasure. (They see the lack of quality data as such a problem that the only truly statistical chapter in the whole book, ch. 12, has data gathering as its topic.) Communication skills are as important as statistical skills; be sure you understand what you're being asked to do before you begin to do it, and be sure once you're done that you can explain your results in non-technical language (and graphics). Don't compromise on ethics; if you're being asked to slant conclusions, refuse or resign. At the same time, put organizational needs ahead of the desire to use the most sophisticated or fashionable statistical method wherever practical. Cultivate relationships with mentors, and be on the look-out for new ways to use statistical knowledge and research to advance organizational objectives. Use a sensible model for planning projects (see the book for details). Be active in professional associations.

Note that much of the authors' advice is of the "under-promise and over-deliver" variety, which you can get anywhere. However, even in their fairly general chapters on job search and on being successful in academia, they add substantial value with statistics-specific pointers.

Note also that I am not a statistician; I am a PhD-level sociologist with experience using statistics in government and academia. I requested the book because I am considering additional education in statistics. The book has given me much to think about while providing me with sound advice on work/career-related topics that, I'm sure, will prove valuable later.

Bottom line: Recommended for the book's target audiences -- students considering a career in statistics, graduates just embarking on a career, and journeyman statisticians looking for advice on advancing their careers. May also be of interest to non-statisticians like myself who use or expect to use statistics regularly in their work, as well as to non-statisticians who manage statisticians.

P.S. I forgot to mention two book highlights: First, many of the sections begin with amusing or provocative quotations. My favorite is: "If you don't like sampling, next time you take a blood test, tell them to take it all" (attributed to CBS News). Second, the authors interviewed a number of professional statisticians for the book and quote them occasionally. You can find a particularly helpful block of interview excerpts discussing tips for aspiring statisticians on pp. 190-193.

This book delivers exactly what it promises. It is very detailed and thorough. My favorite part was how it described jobs in various fields (government, academic, etc).