So I spoke to one of my professors today about going to grad school and he talked about the different opportunities I have available. Im majoring in statistics and have a high overall gpa as well as a high gpa in stat. He listed 3 main options that I should look into. Getting a masters (or more) in statistics, analytics, or operations research. All I really know is that a) i want to make a decent amount of money, b) im very good at calculus as well as statistics, c) abstract stuff isnt really my thing. I dont know a lot about the O.R. or analytics even after reading briefly about them. What does TWW think??

5/28/2008 10:42:58 PM

From what I understand:

Statistics gets much more abstract in grad school. I know about 5 stat's ph.ds on a personal level and all of them have their math undergrad. I think it's because a math degree prepares them more than stats does for abstract thought in grad school.

5/28/2008 10:45:27 PM

Unless you absolutely love what you're going to do and you're very driven, don't fucking do it. Grad school is like a fucking job, but with three times the work and a quarter of the pay. Also, unless you're in a field were a master's degree is a viable substitute for previous work experience(e.g. civil service positions), go for a PhD or don't go at all.

5/28/2008 10:47:34 PM

^not true, a masters in stats can pay $texas

5/28/2008 10:49:58 PM

in the meeting with the professor, he handed me a page that showed some starting salaries for people with a masters in various areas...master in stat gives about 54k while masters in analytics gives 83k.....i know which one i want from that

5/28/2008 10:54:25 PM

1. if you don't know why you want to go to grad school, then you're probably not ready to go to grad school.

2. figure out what you enjoy most about your major and how you can apply it in real life. when you figure that out, then match that up with a graduate program and go from there.

making money is one thing. making money and enjoying what you're doing is a million times better.

5/28/2008 11:48:11 PM

Financial Mathematics

http://www.math.ncsu.edu/finmath/

[Edited on May 29, 2008 at 12:05 AM. Reason : ..]

5/29/2008 12:03:12 AM

nursing

5/29/2008 12:07:37 AM

depends where you get the masters. Some places its not much more work than the undergrad degree. For example, at NCSU with a solid undergrad in math you could pick up a masters in a year. It doesn't have to be super hard. On the other hand, if you are not really interested (intellectually) in the subject those courses immediately become way harder.

An easy job is a job you like. At least that is my take on it. Some people look forward to retirement or vacation. I look forward to my work, every day.

[Edited on May 29, 2008 at 12:21 AM. Reason : . [I mean a masters in math, stats may be a hassel.]]

5/29/2008 12:20:31 AM

Masters is the new bachelors.

5/29/2008 1:23:51 AM

^ that's the truth

also,

Quote :

"Unless you absolutely love what you're going to do and you're very driven, don't fucking do it. Grad school is like a fucking job, but with three times the work and a quarter of the pay."

If you don't absolutely love the field, you're never going to make it.

5/29/2008 8:25:38 AM

^^, indeed.

5/29/2008 12:05:16 PM

I graduated in Stats two years ago. I've been fairly satisfied with my on-campus research job since, but from the little job hunting I've done, I can tell you that you can't do dick in Stats without a Masters. I like doing analysis/programming/interpreting results, but with a BS you can only get grunt work like checking for errors. Maybe you can do something after 5 years of experience, but for now, .

Quote :

"master in stat gives about 54k while masters in analytics gives 83k"

That seems odd, especially since Analytics is so new. Anyways, I didn't get into State's Statistics Masters program, but I am starting the Analytics program in July. They say it's very applied and gets you in well with companies. I hope so.

5/29/2008 12:55:51 PM

^Stats for a while was the highest paying major out of NCSU.

Analytics is a good idea, but if you want to get a Ph.D. it in no way counts towards it.

[Edited on May 29, 2008 at 2:35 PM. Reason : ]

5/29/2008 2:35:17 PM

OR is where it's at

5/29/2008 2:35:38 PM

I'm also starting the Analytics program this year. The Masters of Stats just seems so heavy on theory. Another great thing about the Masters of Analytics is their collaboration with SAS and the available certification exams.

5/29/2008 3:57:23 PM

^how does the difficulty of it compare to the stats masters, avg hours of work per week?

5/29/2008 4:25:03 PM

I don't start until July, but from what I've gathered it is fairly intense workload, but a large emphasis on group work. The website says you take 5 credits SS II, 12 in the Fall, and 13 in the Spring.

5/29/2008 8:04:33 PM

If you want something that is highly applicable why not look at Machine or Statistical Learning / Classification / Data Mining? I'd imagine with a MS in that you wouldn't have much trouble finding a job.

5/29/2008 9:48:08 PM

The great thing about a stats MS is that you can chose to do almost any phd program/work in any area.

I've met many stats grad students who later focused on physical sciences, economics, social sciences. Also any grad student in those areas have to go through your department to get the phd (they're almost entirely an applied stat's degree/know how to use all the programs).


You can't go wrong picking up the masters and I would get the phd if they're paying for it (stipend, tution, insurance) via TA'ing, RA'ing, or teaching.

[Edited on May 30, 2008 at 12:06 AM. Reason : .]

5/29/2008 11:59:06 PM

PhD in Bioinformatics

http://bioinformatics.ncsu.edu/brcwebsite/phd_in_bioinformatics.php

5/30/2008 10:04:57 PM

^That is similar to what I was suggesting. Its a really interesting field.

5/31/2008 2:38:36 AM

^It pays well in private firms, but it's so blaaaaaah.

5/31/2008 6:44:08 AM

so ive been reading about the analytics program, and based on what im good at...this might be a good fit for me. i def. have the grades to get into a program like this but does anyone know who in that program would be a good person to talk to about the program along with how it relates to me? their site doesnt really have email addresses or that type of contact info. really.

5/31/2008 11:48:27 PM

Shrug, what do you need to know? I'd say you can send a note directly to Dr. Rappa. From everything I've seen, they're always interested in talking to potential students.

6/1/2008 12:34:58 AM

done^

6/1/2008 1:03:18 AM

When do you plan on going into analytics?

6/1/2008 9:40:35 AM

i need 29 hours to graduate, most of which are G.E.R.'s. i plan on graduating in the spring of 2009. the truth is, is i love to teach. i have essentially taught many people calculus 1 and 2 b/c they didnt understand their teacher and told me i should teach. i love teaching calc 1 and 2 and basic stat, not sure if i would be able to get into a role like that going in for a MS in analytics. However, the reason i am not pursuing teaching flat out is because of the money.

6/1/2008 1:04:31 PM

I am looking into Analytics myself also. I'm doing G.E.R's now too, a lot at comm college so they don't kill my GPA.

Analytics would in no way help you teach. It's designed for people who want to work. Remember if you want to teach, you'll have to get a Ph.D. and it will be very abstract course work.

6/1/2008 1:07:10 PM

Contact Dr. Reich, hes like 30 maybe, teaches some lower level graduate statistics courses.

He is getting into biological statistics. I guess doctors contact him with numbers and he runs numbers on research. Sounds like its
a) stat filled
b) well paid

6/12/2008 12:08:12 AM

update :: talked with the analytics program people, pretty much told me i was in if thats what i decide i want to do, and everything about it sounds perfect for me, and the money is insane. the work itself is exactly what i imagined myself doing once i got my degree in stats, im still setting up an appiontment with the operations research people to see if maybe i missed something when looking at their program but not sure about it.

6/12/2008 1:12:40 PM

Quote :

"1. if you don't know why you want to go to grad school, then you're probably not ready to go to grad school."

Absolutely right.

6/12/2008 4:28:16 PM

i feel like im much more prepared and interested about my career after i finish grad school compared to what i think it would be if i just went into the work force right after my undergrad finished with a degree in stat. so im following what looks the best for me.

6/13/2008 1:16:24 AM

I'm considering analytics too actually. Who did you talk to?

6/13/2008 9:20:09 AM

cant remember the name exactly, but i called the number that they have on their contact info and they directed me right to the person who is in charge of admissions. she was useful and nice. they also told me since my gpa is high they waive the GRE and i dont have to take it. also from looking at it you need a bunch of the stat classes that ive taken as a stat major to go into this? could be wrong.

6/13/2008 10:01:33 AM

Masters is the new bachelors? Oh man, there are many many many people only getting a two year associates since the two year associates is the new bachelors.....and the two year associates is the new High School diploma.

So you got a Masters but worked at starbucks during the time...really gonna help yah out.

6/15/2008 8:41:27 PM

and if you knew anything about being a stat. major, it is one of the few majors where going directly to grad. school is the way to go.

6/15/2008 9:21:16 PM