I received the following email from a student at a university in another state:

After this semester I will be transfering into the college of science with the major of Statistics. My assignment right now for my undecided class is to interview a statistician, learn about the type of work statisticians do, and about statistics as a career in general. If you could take the time and complete the enclosed interview at your earliest convenience, it would be greatly appreciated.

Here’s the form with my responses interpolated:

Statistician Interview

1) How did you decide upon this occupation? It was easier than physics but still interesting. Statistics connected well to my other interests in life.

2) If you were hiring a person for your job, what are the qualifications for which you would look? Ability to solve problems and to communicate via writing, speaking, and programming.

3) How are you evaluated? Not at all.

4) What do you enjoy about your occupation? What are the personal rewards? I enjoy solving problems and helping students learn.

5) Describe a typical day in your work (or on your job)? Writing, programming, working with students.

6) What are the typical fringe benefits? Summers off, also I can bring my kids to work when necessary.

7) What part-time work experiences could help me get acquainted with this occupation? Working for a company (for example, in survey research or pharmaceuticals) that does statistical data collection and analysis.

8) Does your firm use college interns (continuation of question 7)? Yes.

9) What advice do you have for a person who is considering this occupation? Statistics is a branch of engineering. We solve problems. God is in every leaf of every tree.

10) Please provide your name, e-mail, and the firm/company/employer you work for, and your job title. Andrew Gelman, professor of statistics and political science at Columbia University.