1. My Career at the US Census Bureau
Jim Farber
US Census Bureau
Presented at
Penn State Stat Club Career Exploration Event
October 11, 2014

2. Outline A little about me How to get a job at Census
Overview of Census Bureau work
Thoughts and advice
Q & A

3. About Me State College High class of ‘87
BA in Economics, Columbia, 1991
MA in Statistics, Penn State, 1996
Mathematical Statistician at Census, 1995-now
Three boys: ages 12, 11, 7
Enjoy coaching, tutoring, reading, soccer, running, trivia, learning

4. How to Get a Job at Census
Hand-out in your folder
Full-time and internship opportunities
Apply at usajobs.gov
We periodically review resumes and bring in candidates for interviews

5. How to Get a Job at Census
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

6. Overview of Census Bureau Work
Thousands of Census Bureau employees in Suitland, MD
<10% are mathematical statisticians
Math stat work is fundamental to Census programs
Three major areas of Census:
Economic
Decennial
Demographic

7. Overview 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

8. Overview 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

9. Overview 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

10. Overview 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

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

12. 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

13. Thank you! Jim Farber James.Farber@census.gov
Q & A
Thank you! Jim Farber