Submitted by the 2024 ASA Committee on Member Retention and Recruitment (CMRR)
For those in their last years of college or just starting on their career path, American Statistical Association meetings are a springboard of opportunity. They offer powerful learning experiences, career services, mentoring programs, and events designed to help build a wide network.
The ASA hosts the following meetings that welcome students and early-career statisticians and data scientists:
- Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM)
- ASA Biopharmaceutical Section Regulatory-Industry Statistics Workshop (Biopharm)
- Women in Statistics and Data Science Conference (WSDS)
- International Conference on Health Policy Statistics (ICHPS)
To assist members, the ASA Committee on Membership Retention and Recruitment recently summarized and provided insights for each of the ASA’s meetings.
Joint Statistical Meetings
The Joint Statistical Meetings is held jointly by 14 statistical organizations and societies throughout the world and is the largest gathering of statisticians and data scientists in North America, boasting more than 5,000 attendees. It is also one of the broadest meetings for this community—topics range from statistical applications to methodology and theory to the expanding boundaries of statistics.
JSM is a place for everyone—from seasoned professionals to students—to network, connect with friends, and celebrate the profession during featured events such as the First-Time Attendee Orientation and Reception, Opening Mixer and Invited Poster Session, Student Mixer, and Dance Party.
Students and early-career professionals often register for the Career Service to connect with top employers in statistics and data science. It is not a typical career fair—instead, it is a focused recruiting and interviewing center designed to get candidates face-to-face with potential employers.
A variety of professional development, continuing education, and professional skills courses are also offered alongside poster presentations and roundtables, during which discussions are held on cutting-edge research.
ASA Biopharmaceutical Section Regulatory-Industry Statistics Workshop
The ASA Biopharmaceutical Section Regulatory-Industry Statistics Workshop is sponsored by the Biopharmaceutical Section in cooperation with the FDA Statistical Association. It is usually held in the fall and sells out nearly every year.
More than 1,000 attendees—including statistical practitioners in the biopharmaceutical arena from industry, academia, and regulatory agencies—gather for sessions, plenaries, posters, short courses, and roundtables.
Networking opportunities include the annual mixer and poster sessions, during which refreshments are served and attendees can engage one-on-one with presenters and fellow participants. The program offers opportunities for attendees across a variety of interest areas and levels of expertise.
Biopharm offers student travel grants. Up to $500 per student, by reimbursement, is available to support students’ participation as presenters at the workshop.
International Conference on Health Policy Statistics
For more than 20 years, the International Conference on Health Policy Statistics—organized by the Health Policy Statistics Section—has played a vital role in the dissemination of health policy and health services statistics.
A biennial event, ICHPS draws hundreds of practitioners, methodologists, health service researchers, health economists, and policy analysts to exchange and build on ideas they will disseminate to the broader health policy community.
Typically, 80–100 students participate and connect with friends and potential colleagues during the welcome reception and poster sessions. ICHPS has a student committee and, traditionally, a student lunch is offered. Student travel awards are available, as well.
Women in Statistics and Data Science Conference
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Women in Statistics and Data Science Conference brings together hundreds of statistical practitioners and data scientists while highlighting the achievements and career interests of women in the field. Senior, mid-level, and junior stars representing industrial, academic, and government communities unite to present their life’s work and share their perspectives on the role of women in today’s statistics and data science fields.
WSDS is a smaller, more intimate conference with a focus on building knowledge, community, and influence. It hosts several informal networking opportunities, including breakfasts, a welcome reception, poster presentations, and an EXPO, where attendees can also connect with industry experts and recruiters. WSDS features a career service, an online system that runs concurrently throughout the conference, as well.
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