Rick White

June 2006

Job title and general description

I work in the department of statistics at UBC. My title is Managing Director of the Statistics Consult and Research Lab.

The main focus of my work is to develop and apply statistical methodology for scientific experiments. This includes experimental design, statistical analysis of data and presentation of results for research projects. I work on a wide range of projects including large-scale genomic studies. Details such as how the data is collected and how it is randomized must be assessed in order to remove any bias.

Some of the types of projects I have worked on include: air pollution and human health, pharmaceutical trials, software development, CDC biostatistics, ICBC, and genomics for Conifer Forest health using microarrays.

What specific skills and qualities are needed to do your job?

To work in this field you must be very good with numbers and math. Abstract thinking is essential. You have to be able to work independently and to be confident in your ability to trouble shoot new challenges. You must be able to defend your ideas while at the same time, be able to listen to new ideas and make adjustment accordingly. The work skills necessary include a broad range of computer programming skills and very good communication skills in order to work well with various groups of people.

What do you like most about your work?

I love the freedom of my job. I work on my own and make my own schedule. I enjoy the independence. My job also gives me the freedom to approach projects in my own way.

What don’t you like about your job?

The academic setting does not pay as well as the private sector does. However, I feel that the flexibility and freedom of this work environment makes up for that.

Where do you see your career going from here?

I am very happy with my current employment. The job is always changing as new projects and tasks come up. There is no shortage of new challenges to keep me interested.

What is the range in salary that comes with your job?

The range in salary for this type of job goes from $50,000 through to $100,000 based on the job grid and the research category of the work involved.

When did you know you wanted to work in math/sciences?

I have always been strong in math. It came very easily to me in school. I made adjustments to my career path as I went through school as new opportunities and areas of interest came up. I had planned on working in actuarial sciences but when I was approached to do a Masters degree and work on new projects I chose to move into this application of statistics.

What is your educational background? Degrees?

I started at Okanagan College with Science transfer courses. I finished my BSc at UBC in Math with a stats option. I continued at UBC with my Masters degree studying the detection of points in multidimensional space.

What was your favorite course(s) and why?

I believe in learning as much as possible. When I was doing my degrees I took every course available in Stats even though I didn’t need them all to make up my credits.

What other hobbies and interests do you have?

I enjoy playing war board games in my spare time. I also like to work out and go for bike rides.

Do you have any advice for young people thinking about getting into your line of work?

I found if helpful to start at college where the classes are smaller and it’s a more relaxed setting for trying out different things. Make sure that when you move on to university you are prepared to apply yourself to your chosen field. Don’t just go because others tell you to. Make sure you are ready and have found a focus.

While you’re at school be committed to your studies. Be there to learn and develop yourself for a career. Go to university with the attitude that you are there to get as much as you can out of it. Don’t just take electives that will be easy and give you a good mark…. take ones that interest you and will add to your goals. If a course looks like it would be interesting, take it even if it is not required. Be focused on why you are there, not just on getting enough credits to finish.

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