The American Statistical Association (ASA) recently held StatFest, an event aimed at encouraging students – high school, undergraduate, and graduate – from historically underrepresented groups to consider careers in statistics.
This year, SAS was chosen to host StatFest. SAS Software Development Engineering in Test Manager Portia Exum helped plan and execute the event, which she says has been four or five years in the making because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Because we are a staple in the statistical community, it’s so important that we were able to host,” Exum said. “Sharing our ‘home’ was special. And events such as StatFest also help build pipeline for diverse talent.”
Attendees of the American Statistical Association's StatFest 2023Attendees of the American Statistical Association's StatFest 2023
JMP Advanced Analytics R&D Director Nicole Jones (@Nicole_Jones) participated in a panel discussion about career opportunities in the industry.
Jones said she understands the significance of representation and that it was important for her to participate because she wanted to encourage and reassure the students that statistics is a field for them and that their unique perspectives and talents are welcomed and greatly needed in our field.
“I was so honored to share my career journey with the students,” Jones said. “I wanted to leave them with words of encouragement for those days when they doubt themselves and share concrete steps they can take better to position themselves for success in the field of statistics.”
Nicole Jones (back row, second from right, light blue jacket) participated in a panel discussion on career opportunities in the statistics industry at StatFest 2023Nicole Jones (back row, second from right, light blue jacket) participated in a panel discussion on career opportunities in the statistics industry at StatFest 2023
