Category Archives: Minors

Business, Government, Graduate School, Healthcare, Majors, Minors, Occupations

Majoring in Statistics

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The career counselors were recently paid a visit by Dr. Jane Harvill, Associate Professor of Statistical Science at Baylor.  She wowed us with stories of six figure salaries, telecommuting, and a broad range of employers where statisticians can work.  Here are some things to keep in mind if you are interested in applying your mathematical skills to help people make decisions.

First of all, the undergraduate major in statistics is appropriate for those who are strong in math.  That does not simply mean that you prefer math over English.  Statistics majors must take three calculus courses and linear algebra.  This major might especially appeal to students who enjoyed AP Statistics in high school.

Second, the list of fields in which statistics are used is endless, and many students choose to double major.  There is also a statistics minor available.  Dr. Harvill told us that statisticians work in government, quality control, market research, the pharmaceutical industry, academics, law, and the insurance and credit card industries…just to name a few.  Students majoring in biology, chemistry, astrophysics, sociology, and economics might find a statistics major or minor to be a nice complement to their studies.

Students with a bachelor’s degree in statistics can apply for jobs as technicians, but students are encouraged to pursue a master’s degree in statistics.  Two more years of school can lead to significantly higher salaries.  As an example, Dr. Harvill told us that technicians may earn a starting salary of $50,000 per year.  However, statisticians with master’s degrees may have six figure salaries.

Interested in learning more?  You can visit the Department of Statistical Science on the web.

Business, Career Exploration, Government, Majors, Minors, Web Resources

Planning for an International Career

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Many students come to Career Counseling uncertain about their majors and career goals, but confident in their desire to work in other countries or do work that is on a global scale.  Here are a few possibilities to consider:

Majors and Minors

Students who would like a major that is focused on other cultures and countries might want to explore:

Minors are available in Arabic, Asian Studies, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin American Studies, Middle East Studies, Russian, Spanish, and World Affairs.

Of course, students in other majors can use their education and skills in other countries or for international organizations, too.

Check out the Meet the Majors podcast series for more information on many of these programs.

Getting Experience Abroad

If you want to work abroad, one of the best things you can do as a student is to acquire international experience.  Baylor offers many study abroad programs, which allow you to live in another country and earn course credit.  Visit this page for more information, and consider attending an information session.

An internship abroad is another option for learning more about working in another country, while beefing up your resume at the same time.  The friendly staff of Career Services can help you explore international opportunities related to your major area of study.

If your schedule limits you from taking advantage of these experiences, you can also add to your experiences by participating in cross-cultural experiences here in the United States.  There are even student organizations and programs devoted to these types of experiences on the Baylor campus!

Additional Resources

Goinglobal is a fantastic resource provided by the Career Services office.  Of particular interest might be the country guides, which explain hiring trends in those countries, as well as links for job postings in those countries.  If you have trouble getting connected to the site, please contact Career Services.

If you are feeling confused about what major might be best for your specific career goals, or you want to discover what international career might be the best fit for you, Career Counseling is available to guide you in your exploration.  We would be happy for you to begin your international journey here!

Minors

Forensic Science Minor

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Inspired by television shows such as CSI and Bones, students often come to us with interests in forensic science.  Baylor offers a minor in forensic science for students with serious aspirations in this area.

Students are required to complete the following courses:

  • FORS 1390: Suvey of Forensic
  • FORS 2357: Crime Scene Investigation

The minor is rounded out with a student’s selection of FORS classes to fulfill the minimum number of hours, including advanced hours, for the minor.  Students can view the details of the minor on page 74 of the 2011-12 Undergraduate Catalog.  Possible courses a student could choose from are:

  • Human Osteology
  • Forensic DNA Analysis
  • Death, Injury, and Physical Remains

Baylor’s Department of Anthropology, Forensic Science, and Archaeology (which houses the minor) emphasizes that the minor is only appropriate for those with a hard science background.  The department’s website states the following:

“It is suggested that students consider a BS major in Biology, Chemistry, Anthropology or Psychology.”

Click here for information from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences about pursuing a career as a forensic scientist.

Still interested in bringing criminals to justice, but not strong in the hard sciences?  Perhaps the criminal justice minor is for you.