<p>Hi I am currently a statistics major student. A junior which makes me feel i should be thinking about graduate schools, however, I am not so sure exactly what kind of jobs I can apply to with only my a BS in stats or if I need to go to graduate school and if so is there anything I need to do before applying? Any adice?</p>
<p>Thank you,</p>
<p>There are definitely some things you can do with a BS in statistics, but the accepted standard for most statistician jobs is an MS.</p>
<p>Some places will hire you on as an entry-level analyst/research associate. Often they are large corporations, non-profits, think tanks, etc. You will usually assist a PhD-level or experienced MS-level statistician in constructing and testing models, analyzing and organizing data, creating visual representations, etc. Some statisticians go on to do risk management and/or insurance work in that industry, as actuaries. If you want to do that, you need to prepare to take some actuarial exams; most new actuaries, IIRC, have taken 1 or 2 of the exams before they get hired.</p>
<p>However, if you want to be a professional statistician you will need an MS. Most statistician jobs call for an MS in stats. Research experience always helps but many professional stats MS programs just want good grades and test scores.</p>
<p>Most grad programs provide a wide range of general courses, but some can provide specialized training and experience in areas such as survey methods or bioinformatics. If you decide to go to grad school, you could ask for advice from your advisor or other professors as well as doing some research on your own. The American Statistical Association should list most programs.</p>