Undergraduate Career Panel
Undergraduate Career Panel Offers Students Inspiration and Real-World Insight
On April 11, the School of Statistics hosted an engaging Undergraduate Career Panel, bringing together five professionals with diverse career paths, all united by a background in statistics. From academia to entrepreneurship and industry, the panelists shared how a degree in statistics can open doors across countless fields.
Students heard from alumni and professionals holding bachelor’s, master’s, and PhDs, each with unique experiences in data science, teaching, consulting, and business. The event offered a dynamic mix of advice, encouragement, and practical tips for students considering their next steps after graduation.
Pictured from left to right: Linda Yang, Rich Scamehorn, Nathen Hubbell, Sara Algeri, Dae Young Ham |
“Find what you’re interested in outside of statistics, this field can pair with almost any industry,” said Rich Scharmahorn, emphasizing the flexibility and reach of a statistics degree.
Dae Young, who is graduating this spring and heading to University of Texas at San Antonio as an assistant professor, reminded students to lean into their passions. “When you’re excited about what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. Learning and Teaching something you love is energizing.”
One student asked about work-life balance in the field. Linda Yang stressed the importance of company culture and finding an environment that matches your personal needs. Another student asked about the value of a masters in statistics compared to a masters in a more specialized field. Christina Knudson advised students “Ask some people who work in the job or field that interests you. You can think about the field that you might want to work in, look for UMN alumni or LinkedIn connections in those jobs, and ask them if they could spare 30 minutes for an informational interview. Then you can ask them questions, like the degrees or experience they’d recommend.”
Christina Knudson and Nathan Hubbell encouraged students to tap into the UMN alumni network and consider setting up informational interviews. “Don’t just ask for a job,” they advised. “Start a conversation. Learn what people do. Build relationships.” Find a job or field you're interested in and look up companies on Linkedin, look for UMN Alumni and ask for advice or an information interview.
The overall takeaway? There’s no one-size-fits-all path for statistics majors. Whether you're drawn to public health, finance, education, or AI, the skills you’re building now can take you just about anywhere. It’s less about picking the perfect subfield and more about staying curious, adaptable, and willing to learn. In a world where technology is changing fast, employers value how you approach problems, even more than whether you know the answer right away. It’s about knowing how to figure things out when you don’t.
As Linda Yang pointed out, “Start getting experience now.” She encouraged students to take advantage of undergraduate research opportunities and internships to build hands-on skills. Summer is a great time to dive in. More information on the 2025 undergraduate consulting program:
Interested in getting involved this summer?
Summer Consulting program, more info found on this document, Application to join the consulting program.
Other opportunities and internships.
Visit the School of Statistics advising page, help finding other opportunities with CLA and UMN wide.
