You’re looking to get promoted in statistics. What’s the best way to gain experience?

??Learn from industry experts through courses, webinars, and mentorships. ??Focus on areas that align with your career goals in statistics. ??Take on challenging projects to apply theoretical knowledge in practice. ??Network with professionals in your field to gain insights and opportunities. ??Stay updated with the latest tools, techniques, and trends in statistics. ??Seek feedback and continuously improve your skills. ??Document your learnings and experiences to build a portfolio.

In any field, the way to get hired is to have strong technical concepts and a genuine interest in the organisation, but to get promoted it is very important to hone your soft skills like empathy, assertiveness, listening with an open mind to other people's perspectives, being a clear communicator, being able to communicate technical results by stripping it off any unnecessary jargon. If any technical term is needed for communication it is necessary to explain it to a non technical audience before proceeding. Taking the suggestions of colleagues from different teams who are more involved in the business but to know when to stick to the analysis conclusions and when to adjust it based on suggestions is also of paramount importance.

I believe that learning from experienced statisticians is crucial for gaining valuable experience in the field. I seek out online courses, YouTube videos, and blogs that cover theory and practice, and I prioritize attending webinars and conferences to engage with experts. I focus on topics relevant to my bioinformatics research that challenge me to expand my knowledge. Additionally, I find that reading books offers a depth of understanding that enriches my learning and application of statistical concepts.

Some of the best projects that you can work on are those that resolve real world issues. Anyone can find a dataset and derive insights from it. Not everyone can find data and create a solution that impacts others. There are a few ways that you can create impactful projects. I will highlight three: 1) Find an organization that is in need of statistical analysis. Offer your services to them. 2) Think of a problem that you are having that can be resolved through statistical analysis. Plan out a project and document your journey to finding a solution. 3) Volunteer to take on a new project at your job (as long as it does not interfere with your other work). If you do any of the above, you will set yourself apart from the competition.

1. Participate in and present your work at conferences specializing in statistics, data science, or your specific application area. This allows you to meet other professionals, receive constructive feedback & gain recognition within the scientific or professional community. 2. Contribute to open-source projects related to statistics, data science, or data analysis on platforms like GitHub. 3. Write and submit articles to academic journals or professional magazines recognized in the field of statistics or data science. 4. Maintain a specialized blog on statistics where you can regularly publish analyses, reflections on new trends, or case studies based on your own work.

There are a number of ways in which you can explore further opportunities to help advance your career in statistics. 1. Networking: Build connections through in person and online conferences, associations and internal employee groups. 2. Online Presence: Build and maintain a LinkedIn profile showcasing your experience, statistical projects and key achievements/awards. Engage in discussions and connect with industry leaders. 3. Collaborations: Seek collaborative research projects with other individuals. They could be within academia, industry, or non related groups. 4. Speak to an industry expert: Build and maintain a relationship with a headhunter/industry expert that can understand your career goals and offer you advice.