<p>First, what should you major in if you want to go into a career in statistics, and how hard is it to be a statistician in the world of sports?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>Statistics is offered as a major or minor course of study at many universities usually as part of the math department. Statistics majors often seek and get very high paying work as actuaries in the risk management/insurance industry.</p>
<p>Statistics is a great profession, and can lead to successful careers in many related areas. Take a look at the American Statistical Association website (<a href=“http://www.amstat.org%5B/url%5D”>www.amstat.org</a>) for lots of info about schools, majors, and careers. There is a section on Sports Statistics within the membership; you might be able to get info on your question there.</p>
<p>Also, this depends on what type of personality you have but… if you wanted to keep your options open in the quantitative world, you would probably be better off majoring in Math (either pure or applied), with which of course you would be prepared for actuarial study…however, actuarial work is heavy on probability, so if you major in math, you would be better off taking extra classes, like some upper division probability course, and the related.</p>
<p>If you want to be a statistician you’re looking at “Applied Statistics” which will focus on more the methodology and applications. (This would apply to the world of sports). BTW, if you haven’t already read it, I suggest picking up Moneyball- a bestseller on statistics in baseball.</p>
<p>If you want to becoe an actuary or a risk manager, you will likely need more mathematical rigor and will study “Mathematical Statistics”- such as calculus-based probability and eventually Stochastic processes and onward.</p>