Former Statistics Students
Maaike Vreede
MApplStats (Massey 2000)
Doing undergraduate and postgraduate papers in Statistics has opened up many
opportunities for me. When looking for a job I found that there was a wide variety
of jobs requiring statistical skills, and that they were not difficult to get.
While studying, there was no shortage of part-time and short-term work. Because
statistics can be applied to almost anything, I worked on topics as diverse as
left and right handedness and earthquake prediction. As well as providing extra
income, this part time work gave me valuable work experience. Currently, I am
working as a biometrician for Crop and Food Research. I enjoy using statistical
techniques to extract information, as they are tools which help to provide objectivity
and focus. I would agree that data analysis is very much like detective work
- getting to the bottom of things is both challenging and very satisfying when
accomplished.
Sharon Clark
BInfSc(Stats) (Massey 1998)
The Information Sciences degree gave me an excellent combination of first
year information based subjects on which to build further study. A broad framework
of Maths, Statistics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Operations Research
and Communication is extremely valuable in today's fast moving business world.
I appreciated being able to tailor my degree to suit my interests, including
taking a couple of 'interest' papers, dipping into second year study in a few
areas, while gaining strong depth of knowledge in my chosen major, Statistics.
Studying a large number and range of third year papers in Statistics was a good
foundation for my current position as a mathematical statistician at Statistics
New Zealand in Wellington. The degree had the flexibility to adapt to my own
unique requirements while providing me with the practical and problem-solving
skills necessary to face a variety of challenges in the workplace.
Vicki Seager
MApplStat (Massey) 2001
2008 position: Specialist Consultant for Solutions
in Seafood (SIS) Ltd, Nelson
Formerly
Aquaculture Technical
Manager, NRM NZ Ltd, Nelson
Main involvement since graduating has been in the developing Aquaculture industry
in New Zealand. Currently working for NRM in joint partnership with the NZ King
Salmon Company addressing aspects of Salmon farming, growth and Nutrition. Involvement
in the whole business from Raw Material analysis and quality through feed production,
to involvement in all technical aspects of Salmon farming. Research is related
to Salmon Production, Feed Performance, and Feed Production. Often in sole charge
of the whole process from conception of ideas, to evaluation, design of experiments,
running of experiments, data collection and analysis. I have found that Statistics
is central to many modern business operations, not just R&D.
I utilise Statistics
in Quality Control (ISO) of production processes and calibration of analytical
equipment. Two vital pieces of equipment for me are the NIR, which allows instant
measurement of chemical constituents in feed and a Fat meter which is used to
measure the carcass composition of live fish. Both are based upon application
of statistical principles. Feed formulations utilise least costs analysis, also
based upon statistical theory. Modern computing systems offer powerful tools
for using the information all around us in constructive ways. In today's fast
paced competitive business environment correct and timely decisions are essential
to survive. A clear understanding of how Statistic tools can be used correctly
in day to day business can be the difference between making a good or bad decision.
John Williamson
MAgrSc (Massey) 1993, MApplStat (Massey) 1997
1996 position: Technician, Farm Services Department, Massey University
I completed an MAgrSc in the Animal Science Department at Massey in 1993,
and was employed in the Farm Services Department as a technician. I
studied part-time towards a MApplStat. My intention is to continue
with a research career and to travel, and I see an applied statistics course
as being particularly useful because statistics is applicable to a wide range
of research fields and disciplines, and is an international language. Even if
you are unsure where your career is heading, a grounding in statistics is sure
to be worthwhile in the future.
Richard Parker
MErg (Massey 2001)
Researcher, LIRO Ltd, Rotorua
I have a background in Zoology and Agricultural Science and currently am
a Human Factors and Ergonomics researcher involved in providing solutions to
problems which affect people working in the forest industry. Areas of work include
occupational injury, decision making in the demanding forest environment, body
armour and the systems of work used with large and complex forest harvesting
machines. A sound knowledge of statistics is essential in industrial research.
Collecting data in the forest is expensive and every project has a budget. By
using the correct statistical methods, the resources used to complete the study
can be reduced. It is an easy matter to continued collecting data, but it is
more valuable to know when to stop. In industry, decisions involving millions
of dollars can be made on the results of an analysis. The researcher must have
enough statistical knowledge to correctly interpret the results of data analysis.
Sylvia Nichol
BSc (1982)
2008 position: Atmospheric Scientist, NIWA, Wellington
Sylvia Nichol has enrolled in the MApplStat. Sylvia works as an atmospheric
scientist for the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. Her main
interest is in ozone research. This involves some fieldwork, with taking part
in trace gas measurement campaigns. However since most of her time is spent processing
and analysing the data, she has decided to further her studies in statistics
to help with this aspect of her work.
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