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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. How to apply for a full-time job

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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!

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