Statistician

As a graduate in statistics, you have the potential to land a coveted statistician’s job in a reputable private company or public agency. These types of roles typically involve analyzing and assessing data, and utilizing various tools and software to manage data effectively.

With data proliferation and more and more companies/organizations that rely heavily on data analysis, your skills will be valuable in a broad range of fields and industries. Being a statistician mean that you could work for instance as an:

• environmental statistician: analyze data related to environmental issues, such as climate change and pollution, to inform policy and decision-making,
• sports statistician: analyze data related to sports performance, such as player statistics and game outcomes, to inform coaching and strategy decisions,
• government statistician: collect, analyze and interpret data for government agencies and public departments to guide policymakers in their decisions,
• biostatistician: use statistical methods and data analysis techniques to study and interpret medical and (public) health-related data,
• etc.

Statistical expertise is required wherever there is data, so feel free to specialize in the field or industry you care about most!

Data scientist, data/business analyst, data engineer or machine learning engineer

As a relatively new job role in various organizations, data scientists and data analysts are experts in manipulating, analyzing and interpreting data. These roles typically require the analysis of large datasets using statistical methods to assist organizations in making more informed business decisions. These professionals dive into unstructured information to uncover valuable insights for businesses, ultimately increasing their revenue.

To pursue this career, one would usually require a graduate degree in science, statistics, or mathematics, as well as training in data mining. It is also expected that you are familiar with one or several programming languages such as R, Python or SAS.¹

Statistics graduates can also pursue their career as machine learning engineers. Job roles in this field typically involve conducting experiments and implementing machine learning algorithms. Consequently, many organizations hire these professionals to create a wide range of AI products. To do so, they must possess strong programming and statistical skills. Data science and software engineering knowledge are also beneficial.

Actuary or actuarial analyst

Actuaries usually apply statistical modeling tools on data related to retirement, financial/insurance products, accidents or mortality. As an actuary, one would be responsible for analyzing financial costs and risks. It means examining uncertainties associated with investments and other financial products and making predictions about the risks involved in a particular venture.

Actuaries are also in charge of writing insurance proposals, determining policy terms, and calculating premiums for different products, among other responsibilities. You may also play a vital role in deciding whether to accept or reject insurance applications by evaluating their risks. You will draw upon your statistical, actuarial, and background information to accomplish these tasks.

Typically, actuaries have a range of financial companies as clients, and they must identify potential risks and recommend compensation strategies accordingly. It means that their work is closely related to insurance products, as they must assess the likelihood of certain events occurring and the resulting financial impact.

Typically, those who pursue this role hold a degree in actuarial science, mathematics or statistics, and are trained in statistical analysis tools and software. Note that each country has its own specific accreditation related to this profession.

Financial (risk) analyst, investment analyst, financial trader, financial manager or quantitative analyst

As a financial analyst, one is required to gather data from various sources, organize and analyze historical results, and make projections and forecasts. Furthermore, in addition to analyzing data, their role often involves reporting financial results to the board of directors/management to help them in setting the overall strategy and direction of the company.

Investment analysts are experts in evaluating different financial assets such as stocks, securities, and bonds. They do not stop there, though. They also conduct research and make crucial decisions about purchasing business financials.

As a financial trader, you will have a keen understanding of financial markets and the ability to execute trades (i.e., buy or sell shares, bonds, and other assets) on behalf of clients. Note that there are also various sub-roles to explore within this job segment.

Financial managers combine their passion for finance with their love of numbers and statistics. Financial managers are experts at creating and interpreting complex financial reports, providing invaluable insights into a company’s financial health. They can also advise management on investment strategies and assist with vital financial decisions. With their keen analytical skills, financial managers keep a watchful eye on daily financial activities and help ensure a company’s long-term success.

These skills are in high demand in financial organizations, such as banks, actuarial firms, insurance companies (commercial insurance, reinsurance, general insurance, life insurance, car insurance, etc.), and other similar establishments.

The educational background of these professionals is diverse. Graduates in finance, mathematics, and statistics all bring unique perspectives to the table.

Business intelligence analyst

A business intelligence (BI) analyst is responsible for collecting, organizing, analyzing, and presenting large amounts of data from various sources such as databases, spreadsheets, and software applications. They use various tools and techniques to identify trends, patterns, and relationships in the data to create reports, dashboards, and visualizations to communicate their findings to stakeholders. They may also be responsible for monitoring business performance metrics and KPIs, identifying areas for improvement, and making recommendations to optimize business operations.

Additionally, BI analysts may also be involved in the development and implementation of data-driven software applications, such as business intelligence platforms and data warehouses, to improve data accessibility, accuracy, and efficiency. Overall, the role of a BI analyst is crucial in filling the gap between business analysts and the IT team.

The most common software tools and platforms used by BI analysts are, at the time of writing this post, R Shiny, Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, QlikView and SAS BI.

Operational researcher or quality control analyst

Operational researchers are responsible for using mathematical and analytical methods to solve complex problems and optimize business operations. They collect and analyze data, develop models and algorithms, test and validate them, and make recommendations for improvements.

On the other hand, quality control analysts are responsible for ensuring that products or services meet the required standards of quality. They monitor and analyze product or service performance, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies for maintaining or improving quality. They may also work with production teams to develop and implement quality control processes and procedures.

While operational researchers focus on optimizing processes and systems, quality control analysts focus on ensuring that the end product or service meets the required quality standards. Both roles require analytical skills and the ability to work with data, but operational researchers focus more on mathematical modeling and optimization, while quality control analysts focus more on monitoring and improving quality.

Individuals who pursue job roles of this nature typically possess strong mathematical abilities, often having graduated with degrees in statistics or mathematics. They are trained to analyze vast amounts of data and are well-versed in various analytical tools, such as simulation, mathematical modeling, and data science.

Market or survey researcher

Market or survey researchers are professionals who specialize in conducting research to gather information about consumer behavior and preferences, market trends, and competitive landscapes. They use various research methods and techniques to collect and analyze data, and provide insights and recommendations to businesses and organizations.

Market research professionals typically work with marketing agencies on various projects for clients across different sectors. In addition to a degree in statistics, knowledge in marketing and familiarity with the industry is beneficial.

Economist or econometrician

Economists and econometricians study and analyze economic systems, markets, and policies using quantitative methods and models. They collect and analyze data, develop economic models, conduct economic analysis, provide recommendations to policymakers and organizations, and communicate their findings to a variety of audiences. Their role is to inform economic policies and decisions in both public and private sectors.

If you have a background in statistics in addition to knowledge in economics, there is a whole world of vocational opportunities in economics just waiting for you. Indeed, armed with the ability to appropriately analyze data (thanks to your background in statistics) and the ability to understand (socio)economic issues and financial data, you will be a hot commodity as an advisor to governments and businesses on all economic decisions.

(Freelance) consultant

From a general point of view, a consultant (or freelance consultant) is a professional who provides expert advice and guidance to organizations or individuals on a contractual basis. They analyze problems, develop solutions, and provide recommendations to clients in a specific field or industry.

A consultant specializing in statistics provides expert advice and guidance to organizations or individuals on statistical analysis, data management, and modeling. They use statistical tools and techniques to analyze and interpret complex data, and provide insights and recommendations based on their analyses. The role of a statistical consultant may include identifying research questions, designing studies, collecting and managing data, analyzing data using appropriate statistical methods, interpreting results, and presenting findings to clients. They may also assist clients with the implementation of statistical methods and tools, provide training on statistical software and techniques, and develop custom statistical models for specific applications.

As a side note, note that many consultants in statistics provide their service as data visualization consultants. These consultants are responsible for helping clients to effectively communicate complex data through the creation of clear and visually appealing graphics, charts, and other forms of visual representation that can aid in decision-making and enhance understanding.

You can either be a consultant in a consulting firm, or a freelance consultant. If you choose to be a freelance consultant, you can more easily select the projects you want to work on and the industry you want to focus on, but you will also need to take care of all the administrative tasks such as finding and building relationships with clients, do your bookkeeping, etc.

If you are not ready to be a full-time freelance consultant but would like to experience a taste of it, you can always keep your primary job and accept a couple of side projects. This way, you will gradually build your portfolio and create relationships with clients, all that with the advantage of keeping a safe source of income. This is what I am doing with datanalyze.be, and I recommend it to anyone who is considering the option of being a freelance in the future.

Teacher

If you care about education, you like to transmit your knowledge and explain complex things in a simple manner, you may be interested in being a teacher in high school or a university professor. With a degree in statistics, you may be eligible to teach different subjects such as mathematics, statistics, physics, or science in general. Your ultimate goal is to educate and inspire students to develop an understanding and appreciation of these subjects (which are often not well appreciated by students), as well as to develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and scientific literacy.

Like actuaries, note that each country has its own specific accreditation related to this profession.

To know whether this job suits you, you can start by being a private tutor. This way, you will experience what the job is like and you will be more able to tell whether it is the direction you want to take.

To become a university professor, note that a PhD (and even sometimes a postdoc) is usually required. This brings me to the last career option I would like to mention: a PhD.

I do not include a PhD in the list of the 10 potential career options because it is more seen as an additional degree rather than a job, and even for those who see it as a job, it is a temporary one. However, I would still like to mention it because it is worth considering with a degree in statistics (I am of course biased, but my biased opinion may be of interest to some readers).

PhD student

For those who enjoy academic research, pursuing a career as a researcher after taking a statistics degree may be a worthwhile consideration. Typically, pursuing a PhD in statistics involves working in close collaboration with one or two university professors (your supervisors) on a specific topic.

I cannot speak for all PhD students, but I can speak from my experience. It involves conducting original research in statistical theory and methodology, developing new statistical models and methods, and applying statistical techniques to solve real-world problems or to advance knowledge in a specific field. My research focuses on applying biostatistical procedures to cancer patients, so it is a rather applied PhD, but many of my colleagues work on a more theoretical subject.

We also sometimes participate in academic conferences, present our research findings, and collaborate with other researchers in our field of research.

After completing our PhD, we can can continue to evolve in academia (and become a university professor for instance), or decide to work in a private or public research organization. Because professionals with a PhD in statistics become experts in statistical theory and methodology, commercial and public organizations often seek such profiles.

The length of a PhD depends on the country and the type of contract. If you are interested to know more, feel free to contact me, I might be able to help you (at least with how it goes in Belgium). Otherwise, the program director at your university will definitely be able to answer the questions you may have.