SEPT 18-19 CLUB SPONSORS STATFEST '21 ATTENDANCE
Sept. 18, 2021, 9:29 a.m. by Katherine Merrill
StatFest 2021 is an annual ASA conference and initiative from the Committee on Minorities in Statistics.
The Stat and Data Science club sponsored this year's virtual conference for any person that wanted to attend.
The conference is "aimed at encouraging undergraduate students from historically underrepresented groups to consider careers and graduate studies in the statistical sciences."
The conference was highlighted by the keynote address from Urban Institute and ASA President Rob Santos.
The format included Lightning Talks and Networking Sessions with Industry, Academia, Government and Non-Profit,
and Expos on Internships, Employers, and Graduate Programs. All this was framed with emphasis on Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion with real people and real stories.
The virtual conference used the Gathering Space platform in tandem with Zoom. Attendees could walk around the
conference, enter rooms, sit on benches and talk with other attendees and presenters (Zoom windows would then pop up).
This was extraordinary and effective.
With the help of CEMS' Office of Equity, Belonging, and Student Engagement promoting the conference, Lilie Correa (CEMS '23, Double Major: Statistics and Mathematics) registered and attended this year's StatFest on September 18-19th.
Here is what Lilie had to say:
What was the highlight of the Conference?
The highlight of the conference was getting to talk to various companies in different industries and talking about what they do on a daily basis. I was able to see what opportunities for jobs there are and also figured out what I would not want to do.
My second favorite thing was listening to a talk from the man who is Joe Biden's pick for the US director of the Census Bureau. His story about how he got there was so fascinating and we were raised in the same town so I knew every place he was talking about. But I also learned that the path is not always easy but so fulfilling in the end.
How did you find it to be supportive?
I now know what opportunities and what exactly people in the field do; something I had no idea before the conference. I also know the path to get there such as applying to graduate school and what that entails. Now I have more clarity about what I need to do from here.
What was an unexpected surprise?
I was not expecting to be able to speak directly with graduate schools and employers about what they look for in their applicants as well as how there programs/jobs are. It was a very natural conversation between everyone which was a breath of fresh air.
Would you recommend attending? Will you attend again?
I would definitely recommend attending. I had learned so much regarding possibilities for the future. I would definitely attend again in order to have more conversations.
This and so much more is offered through the American Statistical Association (ASA). We are a Student Chapter of the ASA. Please consider joining the ASA!
Left to Right: Kaya Daylor (club treasurer), Lilie Correa (attendee), Joe Yando (club president)
SEPT 18-19 CLUB SPONSORS STATFEST '21 ATTENDANCE
Sept. 18, 2021, 9:29 a.m. by Katherine Merrill
StatFest 2021 is an annual ASA conference and initiative from the Committee on Minorities in Statistics.
The Stat and Data Science club sponsored this year's virtual conference for any person that wanted to attend.
The conference is "aimed at encouraging undergraduate students from historically underrepresented groups to consider careers and graduate studies in the statistical sciences."
The conference was highlighted by the keynote address from Urban Institute and ASA President Rob Santos.
The format included Lightning Talks and Networking Sessions with Industry, Academia, Government and Non-Profit,
and Expos on Internships, Employers, and Graduate Programs. All this was framed with emphasis on Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion with real people and real stories.
The virtual conference used the Gathering Space platform in tandem with Zoom. Attendees could walk around the
conference, enter rooms, sit on benches and talk with other attendees and presenters (Zoom windows would then pop up).
This was extraordinary and effective.
With the help of CEMS' Office of Equity, Belonging, and Student Engagement promoting the conference, Lilie Correa (CEMS '23, Double Major: Statistics and Mathematics) registered and attended this year's StatFest on September 18-19th.
Here is what Lilie had to say:
What was the highlight of the Conference?
The highlight of the conference was getting to talk to various companies in different industries and talking about what they do on a daily basis. I was able to see what opportunities for jobs there are and also figured out what I would not want to do.
My second favorite thing was listening to a talk from the man who is Joe Biden's pick for the US director of the Census Bureau. His story about how he got there was so fascinating and we were raised in the same town so I knew every place he was talking about. But I also learned that the path is not always easy but so fulfilling in the end.
How did you find it to be supportive?
I now know what opportunities and what exactly people in the field do; something I had no idea before the conference. I also know the path to get there such as applying to graduate school and what that entails. Now I have more clarity about what I need to do from here.
What was an unexpected surprise?
I was not expecting to be able to speak directly with graduate schools and employers about what they look for in their applicants as well as how there programs/jobs are. It was a very natural conversation between everyone which was a breath of fresh air.
Would you recommend attending? Will you attend again?
I would definitely recommend attending. I had learned so much regarding possibilities for the future. I would definitely attend again in order to have more conversations.
This and so much more is offered through the American Statistical Association (ASA). We are a Student Chapter of the ASA. Please consider joining the ASA!
Left to Right: Kaya Daylor (club treasurer), Lilie Correa (attendee), Joe Yando (club president)