Biometrician Career Plan

In order to succeed as a biometrician, you generally need a graduate school education. Programs can be competitive, so it’s good to get an early start.

1. Begin to distinguish yourself in high school. Take advanced math and science courses.

2. Do some career exploration. Resources include the Area Health Education Center (AHEC), the Health Occupations Students Association (HOSA) and your high school guidance counselor. HOSA currently has a service project in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
   There are a few summer opportunities available to exceptional high schoolers through institutions like the American Cancer Institute. It’s not necessary to intern at this stage, but you’ll learn more about where your passions lay – and the experience will look very good on your applications.

3. Research undergraduate programs. You may want to major in statistics or in a biological science field. Make sure to get your prerequisites in. (You may be expected to have linear algebra and calculus.)

   Featured Programs:

   Sponsored School(s)

   

   Purdue Global

   Featured Program: Online programs at the Certificate (Medical Assisting, Medical Billing & Coding), Associate's (Fire Science and many others), Bachelor's (Fires Science, Fire and Emergency Management, Health & Wellness, Nutrition, Health Care Administration, Health Information Management, Psychology, Legal Studies, and more)

   Request Info

   

   Grand Canyon University

   Featured Program: Online Degrees in Nursing & Health Care

   Request Info

   

   Rasmussen University

   Featured Program: Radiologic Technology Associate’s Degree

   Request Info

   

   Southern New Hampshire University

   Featured Program: Various Degrees in Nursing & Health Care

   Request Info

4. Work hard as an undergraduate, both in the classroom and in the community. Strive for a GPA well above 3.00. You may also want to do some test preparation. You will probably need to take the GRE or another graduate exam.

5. Seek out professional experiences – when you apply to advanced programs, you can expect to write a personal statement and submit references. The American Statistical Association (ASA) has a listing of internships, some of which are available to undergraduates. (A recent example is Dordt College’s Undergraduate Research Program in Statistical Genetics and Biostatistics.)

6. Select a graduate program in biometrics, biostatistics, or combined biometrics/ biostatistics. You will have a lot of options; some programs are housed in schools of public health, others in math departments. Many allow you to select an area of focus.

7. There are more internship opportunities available at the graduate level. You may want to become a member of the ASA, the International Biometric Society, or a public health organization.

8. Seek a position. You may find out about opportunities through your university or your professional organization.

Personality Traits: Biometricians love math, but they’re also well-rounded. They communicate well, orally and in writing, and are good team players.