How Do You Know When You Are Ready to Fly Solo?

• Activity Number: 382
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Consulting
• Author(s): Kerry B. Hafner*+ and Janet Myhre*+ and Murray Clayton*+ and Matthew S. Mayo*+
• Companies: PRA International and Mathematical Analysis Research Corporation and University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Kansas Medical Center
• Keywords: Applied statistics ; Career ; Job interview ; Promotion ; Training

Abstract

Transitions through various phases of a career in applied statistics can be daunting. First and foremost is the transition from a learner in an educational and training setting into the workforce. Once in the workforce the transitions continue. Examples of transitions include: moving from being supervised to working more independently; working independently to supervising and training others; and transitioning from one area of statistical applications to another-or perhaps even to a different job. In this panel, leaders from both industry and academia will respond to a series of questions (like those that follow) to help individuals as they consider their own career transitions. What questions do you ask of job applicants? How do you make people ready to work alone? How do you make people ready to lead or train others? What are some important differences between the materials learned from textbooks and reality?