Mathematical Statisticians at the US Census Bureau Jim Farber US Census Bureau Presented at Penn State Stat Club Career Exploration Event November 7, 2015

Outline What do we do in the other 9 years??? How to get a job at Census Examples of Census Bureau work Thoughts and advice Q & A

What do we do in the other 9 years??? The Census Bureau is a lot more than “the census” Decennial census every 10 years statisticians research and develop operations, and evaluate data quality Demographic and economic surveys statisticians design and select samples, conduct estimation, and evaluate data quality Statistical and methodological research

What do we do in the other 9 years??? Thousands of Census Bureau employees in Suitland, MD and around the nation Programmers Field interviewers Administrative, etc. <10% are mathematical statisticians Math stat work is fundamental to all Census programs

How to get a job at Census Hand-out in your folder Full-time and internship opportunities Primary method is to apply at usajobs.gov We regularly review resumes and bring in candidates for interviews

How to apply for a full-time job Go to www.usajobs.gov Search “census mathematical statician” in location “washington dc” Select the continuously-open Mathematical Statistician link

How to apply for a full-time job

How to apply for an internship Pathways semester internships check Census internet site for open dates (generally 3-4 months before semester) apply at usajobs.gov interns can be easily converted to full-time after graduation JPSM Junior Fellows summer internships google “JPSM junior fellows” and click the University of Maryland link housing is included

Some advice on getting a job Helpful classes: sampling and estimation, regression and modeling, data visualization, categorical data analysis, SAS and R Writing ability: technical and analytical Demonstrated teamwork Demonstrated understanding about what the Census Bureau does

Examples of Census Bureau Work Some of my experiences with Decennial work: Sampling and estimation in tests before Census 2000 Sample design to evaluate quality of Census 2000 Data analysis and documentation of census quality

Examples of Census Bureau Work Some of my experiences with Demographic work: Research and application of administrative records in surveys and decennial census Redesigning major demographic surveys Managing production and research on major demographic surveys

Examples of Census Bureau Work Some of the demographic surveys I work on: Current Population Survey: estimates include the monthly unemployment rate National Health Interview Survey: estimates include health insurance coverage and health indicators Survey of Income and Program Participation: estimates include poverty

Examples of Census Bureau Work One example of a current project: National Health Interview Survey wanted better estimates for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) We developed a frame and sample design Sample yielded fewer NHPI than expected (~40% not in target population) Now we’re investigating the potential causes

Thoughts and Advice Statistics is an intellectually rewarding career You can make valuable contributions, even early in your career Wide variety of applications can keep your career fresh and interesting But it can become routine (e.g., monthly survey production) Mostly low stress, except before big deadlines Census Bureau has all of the above

Thoughts and Advice A few personal random observations … Pick an organization or industry that will meet the needs most important to you Don’t work for a bad boss (if you can) The money will be fine Keep your technical skills sharp as you move up Make presentations about your work Work/life balance, size, and diversity of Census have been most important to me Be totally honest when applying and interviewing – but don’t sell yourself short or be too humble!

Q & A Feel free to contact me about Census jobs, internships, work, etc. Thank you! Jim Farber James.Farber@census.gov