Advice: How to become a stats/data person?

[Forever_Jung]

Anyone know anything about stats, data analysis, whatever it is called?

Context: At the moment, I want to do useful data analysis/statistical reports for the company I work for (it's not in my job description, but I like to do it anyway), but I would also be interested in taking this work to a higher level some day, should it prove to be rewarding.

I'm not sure how hard this road will be, as I don't really have any mathematical education to draw on (aside from grade 11 math) and I don't know anything about computers. Even my knowledge of Excel is pretty limited considering the scope of possibilities it offers (Should I start there?). I'm a 26 year old drop-out, who simply likes thinking about this stuff. Am I doomed?

Should I take night classes? Read books? I have been toying with the idea of going to university and getting a degree heavy on the stats/econ front, with some computer stuff as well.

Extra TL;DR Context:

I was promoted at work a few weeks ago, and I am REALLY enjoying having access to a ton of data that I can play with now. It's not even close to being my job, I'm only supposed to glance at the rather superficial "scorecards" prepared for me, but I have spent much of my free time just playing around with our customer survey data, and seeing what I can dig up, as I try to devise new, more descriptive metrics that could provide us with more useful information. One of my INTP superiors is also a big fan of digging, and has been encouraging me to keep her informed on what I find.

While I have no formal training/knowledge, I feel like I have a pretty natural feel for this kind of work, and have already made a few interesting little discoveries that have led to our store making modest changes to the way it does business. I bet if I took this a little further, I could be even more useful to their efforts.

I also think that statistics are a neat way to slow my hyperactive Ne-dom brain down, and get it to focus on what IS true and accurate rather than what COULD be true. It's very painstaking work and requires a cautious mindset! Sample sizes are everything!

 

[ceecee]

I do data analysis but it's in the medical field. I have a BS in Health Information Management so statistics and analysis are part of the degree. I know a couple people that do statistics strictly. One works for a pharmaceutical company and one works for the health system I work for but both of them are statisticians. They don't have medical background, they don't really need that for their jobs. Take a mathematical statistics course, see what you think. Talk to colleges and see what's out there as far as degrees, there are tons. Having working knowledge of Excel and Access are going to be beneficial to you, no matter the field you work in.

 

[Tellenbach]

I've taken 2 statistics courses; they weren't that difficult. I'd recommend getting a good introductory statistics textbook and a more advanced applied statistics textbook and learning that way. If you're struggling with the textbooks, there are free online statistics courses (MIT has one) that you may want to try.

 

[Forever_Jung]

How did I know that the ITJ's would be the first to answer this question

I do data analysis but it's in the medical field. I have a BS in Health Information Management so statistics and analysis are part of the degree. I know a couple people that do statistics strictly. One works for a pharmaceutical company and one works for the health system I work for but both of them are statisticians. They don't have medical background, they don't really need that for their jobs. Take a mathematical statistics course, see what you think. Talk to colleges and see what's out there as far as degrees, there are tons. Having working knowledge of Excel and Access are going to be beneficial to you, no matter the field you work in.

Thanks a lot, I think you're right, I need to learn a little and see how it goes first. I get way too amped up on my latest intellectual kick and make lots of permanent decisions that stem from temporary cognitive states.

That's solid advice, I appreciate it coming from a professional!

I've taken 2 statistics courses; they weren't that difficult. I'd recommend getting a good introductory statistics textbook and a more advanced applied statistics textbook and learning that way. If you're struggling with the textbooks, there are free online statistics courses (MIT has one) that you may want to try.

Hm, it just so happens I have an intro textbook from a course I dropped out of 5 years ago. I think textbooks just bore me a little, so I am afraid of turning myself off the subject. I hadn't considered the online courses, that may be a better alternative, thanks for taking the time to weigh in!

 

[EJCC]

I agree with [MENTION=4050]ceecee[/MENTION] -- take a course and see what you think -- and check in with your local college career services center to do a little digging. My suspicion would be that the path would be similar to the fairly typical "take classes, do internship or entry level job, graduate, get real job with credentials from school and past job" path. Which is the path I took. I'm not a stats/data person but I'm half-inclined to take some courses in it myself, because it would be useful for my current job -- which is in nonprofit fundraising (direct mail + online appeals + crowdfunding).

 

[epidemiologist]

I am a graduate student in public health - we use a lot of statistics! I find the field fascinating, even though I am not a huge fan of other types of math unless its put into context (For example: I don't like calculus, but enjoy modeling). Have you ever heard or Coursera of EdX, perhaps you could try courses on those! They are great because they are free, but you still get top notch education and if you can manage to finish all the work (I'm always intrigued and then get distracted/bogged down by the details and assignments). There are a lot of different options too, and you may even be able to find a statistics course related to your job.

 

[highlander]

A masters in data analytics looks really fun

 

[SpankyMcFly]

Some general advise that applies here. Have you considered adult school? They have classes that fit most schedules, like nighttime. They are almost always free. You can drop going anytime with no consequences. These qualities are good because it could turn out that you don't like it after all. It's been known to happen no? If it turns out that you like it, well then you can pull the trigger on something more involved or formal.

Excel is sooo useful. Most people with an office job could benefit from a course/certificate in this.

 

[meowington]

It's definitely a career direction that is only gonna grow in importance in the long run.
I'd definitely take excel courses, and specialized excel courses. I just finished an excel power pivot course myself. I'm a school drop out too btw, and proud of it