Skip to main content

What Can I Do with a Major in Statistics?

Careers IN Statistics

Business

Actuaries analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. They use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess the risk that an event will occur and to help businesses and clients develop policies that minimize the cost of that risk.

Budget Analysts develop, analyze and execute budgets, which are used to allocate current resources and estimate future financial needs.

Cost Estimators collect and analyze data to estimate the time, money, resources and labor required for product manufacturing, construction projects or services. Some specialize in a particular industry or product type.

Data Miners analyze data from different perspectives and summarize it into useful information – information that can be used to increase revenue, cut costs or both.

Financial Analysts provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions. They assess the performance of stocks, bonds and other types of investments.

Foreign Exchange Traders look at the various factors that influence local economies and rates of exchange, and then take advantage of any misevaluations of currencies by buying and selling in different foreign exchange markets.

Management Analysts (management consultants) propose ways to improve an organization’s efficiency. They advise managers on how to make organizations more profitable through reduced costs and increased revenues.

Operations Research Analysts use advanced methods of analysis to help organizations solve problems and make better decisions.

Personal Financial Advisors give financial advice to people. They help with investments, taxes and insurance decisions.

Quantitative Financial Market Analysts work in finance using numerical or quantitative techniques.

Education

Science Writers describe discoveries and commercial developments in all branches of science, engineering, medicine and environmental science. They explain the impact these discoveries have on the lives of average individuals.

Environment

Remote Sensing Scientists use sensors to analyze data and solve regional, national, and global problems in areas such as natural resource management, urban planning and climate and weather prediction.

Health

Public Health

Public health is the science of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities. This work is achieved by promoting healthy lifestyles, researching disease and injury prevention, and detecting, preventing and responding to infectious diseases.

Biostatisticians design research studies and analyze data related to human health, animals, or plants.

Epidemiologists are medical scientists who investigate and describe factors that influence the development of disease, disability and other health outcomes. They formulate means for prevention and control.

Law and Government

Intelligence Analysts gather, analyze or evaluate information from a variety of sources, such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks or geographic information systems.

Science Policymakers serve as the bridge between researchers and the public, using their talents to find ways to translate esoteric, often highly technical scientific issues into something that can be sold as good policy.

Research and Development

Astronauts train to pilot a spacecraft, travel in a spacecraft or work in space.

Bioinformatics Scientists (computational biologists) work at the intersection of biology, computer science and information technology (IT), helping identify the genetic causes of human, animal and plant development and disease.

Market Research Analysts analyze data to figure out what products are in demand, who wants them and what consumers are willing to pay for them.

Statisticians develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret and summon numerical data to provide usable information. They may specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agriculture, business, or economics.

Survey Researchers design or conduct surveys and analyze survey data. Many groups use surveys to collect factual data. Many groups use surveys to collect factual data, such as employment and salary information or to ask questions that help them understand people’s opinions, attitudes, beliefs or desires.

Other

Insurance Underwriters decide whether to provide and under what terms. They evaluate insurance applications and determine coverage amounts and premiums.

Psychometricians practice the science of measurement, or psychometrics.

Sports Statisticians analyze data pertaining to sporting events, usually for major sports such as baseball, football or basketball. Sometimes called a scorer, sports statisticians record data live as it occurs.

Careers that USE Statistics

Jianxi Su and an undergraduate student.

Jianxi Su, assistant professor of statistics, meets with an undergraduate student to discuss a project.

Business

Commodities Traders (brokers) purchase and sell products and securities futures on the exchange markets.

Compensation & Benefits Managers plan, direct and coordinate how and how much an organization pays its employees. They also do the same for retirement plans, health insurance and other benefits an organization offers its employees.

Stockbrokers invest in the stock market for individuals or corporations. They often advise and counsel their clients on appropriate investments. 

Education

Math Teachers love mathematics and understand it well, but much more than that, they enjoy sharing their enthusiasm for the language of numbers with students.

Environment

Geographers study not only the physical details of the environment but also its impact on human and wildlife ecologies, weather and climate patterns, economics and culture.

Law and Government

Attorneys act as both advocates and advisors in our society.

Forensic Analysts use scientific techniques to solve criminal cases.

Research and Development

Economists study how society distributes resources, such as land, labor, raw materials and machinery, to produce goods and services.

Political Scientists study the structure and theory of government and seek practical and theoretical solutions to political problems.

Technology

Technical Writers design, write, create, maintain and update technical documentation – including online help, user guides, white papers, design specifications, system manuals and other documents.

Other

Air Traffic Controllers coordinate the movement of air traffic to make certain that planes say a safe distance apart.

Architects design buildings and other structures. They make sure buildings are functional, safe, and economical.

Purdue University College of Science, 150 N. University St, West Lafayette, IN 47907 • Phone: (765) 494-1729, Fax: (765) 494-1736

Student Advising Office: (765) 494-1771, Fax: (765) 496-3015 • Science IT, (765) 494-4488

© 2023 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints

Trouble with this page? Disability-related accessibility issue? Please contact the College of Science Webmaster.