Dean Dan Solomon (left) chats with NC State Department of Statistics Attendees of the GIT anniversary celebration mingle during the event.
Head Sastry Pantula.
is then set up between the university and the company, money is of training, a large graduate program like ours can continue to help
sent to the university, and the trainee is appointed by the depart- all of these sectors [in the] future.”
ment. Stipend, tuition, and health insurance are covered. The Bob Rodriguez of SAS, a strong supporter of the GIT program,
department also receives support for graduate programs to help spoke about the benefits of having trainees at his company. He
recruit, retain, and graduate students, as well as to send students mentioned the following:
to professional meetings.
GIT students arrive well trained in statistics
Having a number of companies and organizations in the Research
Triangle area is one of the keys to the success of the program. The
GIT students quickly learn what’s expected; they don’t require
traineeships are different from summer internships in that train-
tight supervision and they often contribute in their first week
ees remain full-time students while working 20 hours a week at
the company. This allows students to work with mentors for longer
GIT students are highly motivated to experience a
than a short summer experience, but not delay their graduation.
corporate environment and are excited about learning
In terms of weekly time commitment, it is similar to a teaching or new areas
research assistant position. In some cases, it is mutually desirable for
the trainee to work more in the summer, in which case the contract
GIT students complement the work of full-time employees,
may include up to 40 hours per week in the summer months.
making it possible to accomplish discretionary goals that
The mentoring trainees receive in the GIT program is another
might not otherwise be attempted
key to training successful graduates with excellent communication
skills. Trainees work closely with statisticians and other scientists at
The GIT program provides a unique, in-depth opportunity to
the company in teams. Regular communication between the DGPs
evaluate and consider students for full-time positions
and mentors is important. Though it is not an expectation of the Another long-time supporter of the GIT program is
program, some trainees are offered full-time, permanent positions. GlaxoSmithKline. Buffy Hudson-Curtis, who earned her
These trainees often become managers and mentors. PhD in statistics from NC State and has become a manager at
GlaxoSmithKline, is a mentor of several trainees from the depart-
Back to the Anniversary
ment. She spoke about her experiences as a trainee in the program,
Solomon welcomed guests and emphasized the importance of the mentioning she was a reluctant participant because she wanted to
partnerships among industry, government, and academic insti- be a professor. She added, however, that “Without realizing it, the
tutions. NC State Department of Statistics Head Sastry Pantula GIT experience had become as much a part of my education as the
thanked the mentors for their support of the program. As former courses and research I was doing at State. The homework problems
director of graduate programs, Pantula helped grow the GIT pro- and materials from class were no longer just academic exercises;
gram and continues to emphasize its benefits. To the mentors in each week I saw the ideas and principles put into action. And, in
the audience, Pantula said, “You should be proud of yourself for addition to learning statistical techniques, I received trai ning on
training the critical thinkers and problemsolvers that our coun- interacting with scientists and working as a consulting statistician.
try and our world needs. With NISS and SAMSI, and over 100 I learned the importance of analyzing data and presenting results
top technology companies and government agencies here, much- in a client-friendly way.”
needed, cross-sectoral training is flourishing in this area. In addi- Potential employers continue to ask for graduates who have
tion to academia, both industry and government are looking for “soft skills” in addition to strong technical skills. These employers
well-trained statisticians. With help from the GIT program and recognize the value of the type of hands-on training and long-term
NSF-VIGRE and NIH training grants that emphasize broadening mentoring students receive in the GIT program. ■
6 AMSTAT NEWS FEBRUARY 2008
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