Offered by the American Statistical Association, the Graduate Statistician accreditation recognizes academic achievement in statistics and provides early-career professionals a way to demonstrate their training, connect with the broader statistical community, and begin building professional credibility.
We reached out to a few ASA members who earned their GStat credential to find out why they chose to pursue the GStat and how it has benefited them.
Carlon Zephirin
Carlon Zephirin is a statistical programming manager at Genmab with more than a decade of experience in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. His work focuses on clinical trial data, including CDISC standards, regulatory submissions, and statistical programming using SAS and R. He earned his bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences and psychology, as well as a master’s degree in biomedical science and health. He is passionate about advancing data-driven decision-making in healthcare and continues to grow in leadership and management within the field.
When did you earn your GStat?
I earned my GStat accreditation in 2018. I was working as a statistical analyst at Hershey Medical center, and I was building my foundation in statistical programming.
What motivated you to pursue the GStat accreditation?
I pursued the GStat accreditation to distinguish myself in a competitive job market and to become more actively involved in the statistical community, particularly through the American Statistical Association.
At the time, I was working in clinical programming and saw firsthand how important it was to pair technical execution with a strong understanding of statistical principles. The GStat provided a way to formally demonstrate that foundation while signaling my long-term commitment to the field.
Has the GStat helped enhance your career or created opportunities you might not have had otherwise?
While the GStat has not directly led to specific opportunities, it has strengthened my professional profile in more subtle but meaningful ways. It has been a consistent way to demonstrate my commitment to the field, particularly as I continue progressing toward a statistician-focused career path.
In a space like clinical research—where credibility and rigor are essential—the designation reinforces that my work is grounded in both technical skill and statistical understanding.
How do you explain the value of GStat to colleagues or supervisors who might not be familiar with it?
I describe the GStat as a professional credential that validates a strong academic foundation in statistics and a commitment to the profession.
For colleagues and supervisors, I often frame it in practical terms—it shows that my work goes beyond programming and is rooted in statistical thinking, which is especially important in regulated environments like clinical trials. It also reflects ongoing engagement with the broader statistical community through organizations like the American Statistical Association.
Do you hold or plan to pursue the Professional Statistician (PStat) accreditation? Why or why not?
Yes, I do plan to pursue the PStat accreditation. As I’ve gained more experience and taken on greater responsibility, pursuing PStat feels like a natural next step.
It will allow me to formally demonstrate not only my technical and statistical knowledge but also my applied experience and professional contributions. More broadly, it aligns with my long-term goal of continuing to grow into a statistician role.
What advice would you give to other early-career statisticians considering the GStat accreditation?
I would strongly recommend the GStat accreditation to early-career statisticians. It’s a valuable way to differentiate yourself in a competitive job market and to demonstrate initiative early on.
My advice would be to view it not just as a credential, but as part of a broader career strategy. It may not create immediate opportunities on its own, but it consistently signals commitment, credibility, and direction. Over time, those signals matter—and they can help position you for the next steps in your career.
McBeth Ahortor
McBeth Ahortor earned his master’s degree in statistics in May 2023 and is currently a PhD candidate at Montana State University. His research focuses on high-dimensional statistical inference within online multiple hypothesis testing frameworks. Outside of his research, McBeth is a soccer enthusiast who enjoys playing and watching soccer.
When did you earn your GStat?
I officially transitioned into the Graduate Statistician (GStat) cohort on November 6, 2025.
What motivated you to pursue the GStat accreditation?
For me, the motivation was a desire to bridge the gap between academic theory and professional practice. My PhD training provides mathematical depth and statistical modeling. I wanted a credential that spoke to my commitment to the ethical and professional standards of the field.
Has the GStat helped enhance your career or created opportunities you might not have had otherwise?
It adds significant weight when applying for internships. It distinguishes my profile in a competitive field as employers immediately recognize that I have met a trusted professional benchmark.
How do you explain the value of GStat to colleagues or supervisors who might not be familiar with it?
I describe it as a seal of integrity for the data era. GStat moves you from the role of student to that of practitioner in the eyes of your peers since it identifies you as someone who is already invested in the long-term standards of the statistical community.
Do you hold or plan to pursue the Professional Statistician (PStat) accreditation? Why or why not?
I definitely plan to pursue the PStat once I have the necessary post-degree experience. If the GStat is the foundation of my career, the PStat is the capstone.
What advice would you give to other early-career statisticians considering the GStat accreditation?
Don’t wait until you think you’re “ready.” The process itself helps make you ready. The GStat is a low-barrier, high-impact way to begin building your professional brand while you are still in school. It shifts your perspective from passing the next exam to participating in a global professional community. It’s a small investment in your future that pays dividends in how you carry yourself as a professional from day one.
Sarah Mensah
Sarah Mensah is a PhD student in statistics at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. Her research focuses on analyzing high-dimensional data, with an emphasis on functional data analysis. Much of her work is motivated by aging-related conditions such as osteoarthritis. She earned her master’s in statistics from Montana State University in May 2024.
When did you earn your GStat?
I earned my GStat accreditation on November 3, 2025.
What motivated you to pursue the GStat accreditation?
I met a friend at JSM with a GStat ribbon, and they explained that it helps start conversations and build trust with employers. It also seemed like a good way to meet and connect with other statisticians, so I decided to go for it.
Has the GStat helped enhance your career or created opportunities you might not have had otherwise?
It is still pretty new for me, so I haven’t seen any major changes yet. But I believe it adds some credibility, especially when talking to people outside of statistics. It is also a way to show potential employers that my training has been recognized by a professional organization.
How do you explain the value of GStat to colleagues or supervisors who might not be familiar with it?
The GStat accreditation shows you have reached a good level of preparation and are committed to the statistics field.
Do you hold or plan to pursue Professional Statistician (PStat) accreditation? Why or why not?
Yes, I plan to pursue the PStat. The GStat accreditation will make that process much easier once I have the required work experience.
What advice would you give to other early-career statisticians considering the GStat accreditation?
If you are already putting in the work to build your statistical skills, I’d say go for it. It gives you more confidence when talking about your background, gives your résumé a nice boost, and could make conversations with employers a bit easier.
Theophilus Gyedu Baidoo
Theophilus Baidoo is a PhD candidate in biostatistics at Indiana University Bloomington and a Pfizer Fellow for the 2025–2026 academic year. His work centers on developing statistical methods for complex biomedical and public health data, and he has interests in genomics, survival analysis, and causal inference. He holds a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from the University of Energy and Natural Resources (Ghana) and a master’s in applied statistics and data Science from the University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley.
When did you earn your GStat?
I earned my GStat accreditation from the American Statistical Association in July 2025.
What motivated you to pursue the GStat accreditation?
I pursued the GStat accreditation because I wanted formal recognition of my graduate-level training in statistics and a credential that reflected my commitment to the profession. As an early-career statistician, I viewed the GStat as an important step in demonstrating both my academic preparation and my dedication to applying statistical knowledge responsibly. I was also motivated by the connection between the GStat and the broader professional standards of the American Statistical Association. Earning the credential allowed me to show my commitment to ethical practice, continued learning, and professional growth as I continue developing my career in statistics.
How do you explain the value of GStat to colleagues or supervisors who might not be familiar with it?
I describe the GStat as a credential from the American Statistical Association that recognizes graduate-level preparation in statistics. For colleagues or supervisors who may not be familiar with it, I explain that it provides an external validation of my statistical training and reflects a recognized professional standard. I also emphasize that the value of the GStat goes beyond the credential itself. It signals a commitment to professionalism, ethical statistical practice, and continued development in the field. For employers and collaborators, it offers additional confidence that I have a strong foundation for contributing to statistical work in a responsible and meaningful way.
What advice would you give to other early-career statisticians considering the GStat accreditation?
My advice would be to consider the GStat if you are looking for a meaningful way to mark your early professional development in statistics. It can be especially helpful if you want a credential that reflects your preparation and helps you communicate your qualifications more clearly. I would also encourage early-career statisticians to think of the GStat as part of a larger professional journey. The process is a good opportunity to reflect on your training, your goals, and the kind of statistician you want to become. It is not just about adding a credential; it is about being intentional about your growth in the field.
Do you hold or plan to pursue the Professional Statistician (PStat) accreditation? Why or why not?
I do plan to pursue the Professional Statistician accreditation in the future. At this stage in my career, I am focused on gaining the professional experience and applied practice needed to support that next step. I view the PStat as an important recognition of professional growth in statistics. It reflects the ability to apply statistical methods thoughtfully, exercise sound judgment, communicate effectively, and contribute to real-world work with professionalism. When I have developed the depth of experience needed, I would be proud to pursue the PStat as a continued step in my career.
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