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. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.