Statistician

Statistics is a branch of mathematics that deals with the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of masses of numerical data. Statisticians collect, verify and interpret data and use the same to solve problems in a wide variety of fields. The services of a statistician are required in every field right from government offices to international sporting events. The job of statistician is not something out of the world, but something that affects each one of us in one way or the other. Different areas of statistics are crime statistics, census statistics, ecological statistics, medical statistics, statistics on job-seekers, on education, film statistics, cricket statistics, oil statistics, market statistics, accident statistics, labour statistics, population statistics, election statistics, district-city-state statistics, tourism statistics etc. All these areas require the analytical brain and comprehending ability of a statistician to interpret numerical data and explain to the common public what the numbers mean and how it can be beneficial to the common man. Statisticians make use of various methods like questionnaires, surveys and diagnostics tests to study real life problems in a broad range of disciplines like biology, economics, engineering, medicine, physics, sociology and psychology. They collect data from reliable sources, evaluate it using scientific methods, make use of statistical tools and present their findings in the form of graphs, charts, tables etc. On the basis of their findings they suggest potential applications of the results of their survey and help to find solutions to the problem at hand. A wide variety of job opportunities exist for trained statisticians both in the private as well as government sectors. They may work individually or as part of interdisciplinary teams. Teaching and research field are open to candidates with a master's degree and doctorate. While a statistician's job may appear to be boring and monotonous to an outsider, it is not so. Some amount of work may require a statistician to work in the comforts of a proper office environment. However, fieldwork may be required in some cases and this may involve a lot of traveling for collection of data. Almost every country in this world has their own statistical agencies or bureaus. The apex body of the official statistical system in India is the Department of Statistics in the Ministry of Planning and Programme Implementation. This department acts as the nodal agency for the planned development of the country's statistical system. It comprises the Central Statistical Organisation, the National Sample Survey Organisation etc. This body also administers the Indian Statistical Institutes - the most prestigious statistical studies institutes in the country. Eligibility The minimum educational qualification required in this field is a bachelor's degree with a major in statistics or mathematics. A Master's degree or Ph.D. is very helpful and often recommended or required for higher-level positions. A bachelor's degree with a major in related field such as economics or natural science and a minor in statistics is preferred for some jobs. A combination of statistical skills with other subjects such as economics, operational research, computer science, business administration can give one a competitive advantage while seeking employment. Job opportunities in industrial research require the candidate to have a master's degree and several years of experience. A high level of specialised training has to be obtained in order to be well placed in industry. Course Areas : BSc and MSc Statistic courses are available in most universities across India. Duration : The duration of a normal undergraduate programme is three years and that of post graduate course is two years. Selection : Candidates who wish to apply for Undergraduate course in Statistics should have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination securing a minimum of 50% marks in the aggregate in the subjects Physics, Maths plus any one of the following: Chemistry, Statistics, Computer Science. For admission to MSc courses students who have passed B. Sc./ B. A. , with Mathematics/ Statistics as one of the subjects , or has passed B. Sc in Computer Science with minimum 50 % marks in aggregate, are considered eligible. Some Universities and Institutes conduct specific entrance tests to gauge the aptitude of the aspirants. These are only general information regarding the eligibility criteria and it would be good if the aspirants check with the concerned institutions and universities regarding their admission criteria and procedure. Personal Skills : Statisticians must have good reasoning ability, persistence and the ability to apply principles to new types of problems. They should have a mathematical aptitude and be able to reason logically . Statisticians need to be flexible and have a curious and disciplined mind. It is very important to have a good background in computers as statisticians use computers a lot. It is imperative that those interested in making a career in this field have good verbal and writing skills. Besides they should also have intellectual creativity, patience & persistence, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, logic, and ability to take decisions independently.