Description
Business professionals who use statistics are not mere number crunchers who are “good at math.” As Jon Kettenring succinctly said, “Industry needs holistic statisticians who are nimble problem solvers” (www.amstat.org).
Consider the criteria listed below:
The ideal statistician
Is technically current (e.g., software-wise)
Communicates well
Is proactive
Has a broad outlook
Is flexible
Focuses on the main problem
Meets deadlines
Knows his/her limitations and is willing to ask for help
Can deal with imperfect information
Has professional integrity
Locate an individual in your company who exemplifies these characteristics and interview them on the importance of understanding statistics and the challenges they may face with data. Ask them how they demonstrate these characteristics in their job.
You may summarize your interview in a brief narrative (250-500 words) or you may audio/video record the interview and upload it for viewing to the discussion forum
