Sal Guinta, assistant teaching professor at Babson College, is the faculty adviser to the ASA Babson College Student Chapter.
Babson College is filled with tenacious and inspiring entrepreneurs. Our students have the potential and motivation to be future leaders.
As faculty adviser to the newly created American Statistical Association Babson Student Chapter, I remember being involved in many undergraduate clubs and associations as a student. These clubs and associations led to connections that prepared me for life after college. The experiences I gained were invaluable. The ASA offers the same important experiences and an early connection to today’s modern world in which understanding analytics is a must.
Our students wanted to establish an ASA student chapter to bring people from diverse backgrounds with an interest in analytics together. The chapter creates a space for students to apply knowledge from the past and go above and beyond what they cover in their classrooms. Additionally, the ASA network allows members to apply for and partake in internships, which can lead to job opportunities. Being part of a nationally recognized association that connects industry professionals to student chapter members allows students access to guidance and gives them glimpses of potential career paths.
The ASA Babson Student Chapter has three aims: compete in competitions; form partnerships; and learn about real-life applications. Currently, members participate in competitions that test their expertise and validate the chapter’s establishment. We will also form partnerships with other chapters and organizations on Babson’s campus to hold events and competitions. In addition, chapter members aim to learn skills that can be applied to real-life situations and consultancy.
Some of our activities so far include participating in a DataFest competition at Wellesley College and reviewing statistical journals to see which would be good sources for a statistics education-based project.
Going forward, the student chapter will support undergraduate student research and teach students how to present at national conferences. We’re looking forward to upcoming ASA meetings at which Babson students have a chance to present their projects to other chapter members and professionals.
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