This presentation will describe emerging career opportunities for statisticians in global business environments where statistical modeling and analysis of large volumes of data are driving business performance and value. In sectors such as financial services and the retail industry, there is a high demand for statistical problem solvers who can collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and apply a blend of analytical approaches. The presentation will discuss graduate coursework, training in statistical computing and related technology, and soft skills that will equip students to succeed in the world of business analytics.

Biography: Robert N. Rodriguez is senior director of statistical research and development SAS Institute, where he is responsible for the development of statistical software. Prior to joining SAS in 1983, he worked as a research statistician at General Motors Research Laboratories. He received his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is the president-elect of the American Statistical Association during 2011.