Who wants to be a statistician? An analysis of ACT-tested public school students

This study examines predictors of statistics as occupation choice while in high school. The overall rate of choosing statistics was 1 per 1,681 students. Females, Asian students, students from the southern United States, and students from rural schools were less likely to choose statistics, and there was an increase in statistics choice rates between 2014 and 2017. Differences across other socio-demographic groups were small after accounting for other predictors. The strongest predictors of statistics choice were ACT Mathematics score and a measure of vocational interests corresponding to Holland's Conventional personality type. The results of the study can be used to identify high school students with interest and achievement profiles that are common among prospective statisticians, and to gain a better understanding of factors that affect statistics occupation choice.

本研究旨在探讨高中生选择统计学作为职业的预测变量。整体而言，选择统计学作为职业的学生占比为每1681名学生中1人。女性学生、亚裔学生、美国南部地区学生及农村学校学生选择统计学作为职业的概率显著更低；2014年至2017年间，统计学职业选择率呈上升趋势。在控制其他预测变量后，其余社会人口学群体间的选择差异相对较小。影响统计学职业选择的最强预测变量为美国大学入学考试（ACT）数学成绩，以及与霍兰德常规型人格特质（Holland's Conventional Personality Type）对应的职业兴趣量表得分。本研究结果可用于识别具备潜在统计学家常见兴趣与成就特征的高中生，并深化对影响统计学职业选择的各类因素的认知。