2024 Fall Career Panel

October 11, 2024

2024 Fall Career Panel

We had a fantastic career panel discussion today, packed with great insights from leading statisticians. A big thank you to our panelists—Jeff Lande, Xiaoyi Zhu, Paul Boruta, and Nathan Hubbell—who brought diverse backgrounds in academia, industry, and entrepreneurship. As a mix of Advisory Board members and alumni, they generously shared their experiences and advice. Thank you to our moderator and organizer, Adam Rothman.

In today’s highly competitive job market, the panelists provided valuable tips, including the importance of a balanced approach to job searching. When interviewing and looking for jobs, it's important to be able to discuss your projects in technical detail while also providing context for those who may not be experts in the field. Recruiters often value the ability to communicate your work in layman’s terms.

Another key takeaway? Start networking early! Building connections can make all the difference in your job search.. Nathan Hubbell remarked:

"I used to respond to LinkedIn messages as a recruiting tool, but now it feels more like spam. The best way to find interns has been through career fairs and in-person events."

Nathan Hubbell

The discussion also emphasized the need for a combination of strong technical skills and the ability to communicate effectively. Panelists stressed the importance of being a self-starter, capable of answering both technical questions and explaining the reasoning behind them. They also encouraged students to present themselves honestly on their resumes. Don’t claim to be an expert if you’re not. Lean into what you’re good at and what you enjoy.