As new members of the ASA’s Committee on Applied Statisticians, Devi Chelluri and Emiliana Patlan are working to represent and promote those starting, growing, and refining their career in applied statistics.

Devi Chelluri works as a statistician II at NORC at the University of Chicago doing applied statistics in health care research. Chelluri earned an MS in biostatistics from the University of Michigan.

Emiliana Patlan has worked in applied statistics and data science in both the financial services and technology industries. She currently works as a lead decision science analyst at USAA after earning an MS in predictive analytics from Northwestern University.

As a JSM veteran (Chelluri) and a newbie (Patlan), we are united in thinking applied and professional skills sessions at this year’s conference have something for everyone. You do not have to be an “applied statistician” to benefit from these types of sessions, and we are excited to share our tips and tricks for infusing your JSM experience with some of these valuable sessions. If it is your first time attending JSM, we recommend going to the First-Time Attendee Orientation and Reception Sunday afternoon.

With more than 6,500 people attending and more than 600 sessions in a week, fitting in sessions and topics that interest you can be daunting. Thankfully, there are several resources at your disposal when trying to winnow the list. Before even arriving at JSM, we recommend searching through the online program. With this year’s theme, #LeadWithStatistics, it’s no surprise there are several sessions about communicating statistical topics to nonstatisticians and increasing statistical literacy.

Keep in mind while searching the program that there are a few symbols that will help you navigate. For example, an “*” shows the session is for an applied topic and an “!” shows the session is related to this year’s theme.

In addition to the sessions, AM and PM roundtable discussions—which allow you to have a more focused discussion—are available for an added fee. If you would like to further your skill set, continuing education sessions (for an added fee) can be included to develop either technical or professional skills.

We also recommend a strategic approach to planning your conference experience. Pace and balance are key to a successful JSM. Resist the urge to attend a session during every timeslot. Allow time to process new information, connect with others in your field, and take advantage of the social events and career opportunities.

It can also be helpful to broaden and balance the sessions you attend. While you may be drawn to sessions in line with your expertise, a session outside your field may present you with a novel approach to an existing problem you have been struggling with. If your studies and career have largely stayed within a single discipline, check out a contributed speed session like “Sports to Fire: Fascinating Applications of Statistics.” Or you may have a roadblock that isn’t related to statistical theory or methods. Maybe you are having issues with collaborators, clients, or advisers. Consider balancing theoretical and technical sessions with a session like “Communication and Technical Skills in Statistical Consulting and Collaboration” or “Graphics in Statistical Practice: Saying It with Pictures in the Classroom, Boardroom, or the Consulting Cube.” Also, the Opening Mixer Sunday night and the Dance Party Tuesday offer an excellent chance to meet other attendees for the first time or catch up with friends made at last year’s JSM.

Last, JSM provides a wonderful opportunity to see how you can contribute by volunteering with sections, chapters, initiatives, or committees. Learn more about these opportunities by attending their meetings. For example, to learn more about CAS and CCD (Committee on Career Development), attend the friends of CAS/CCD mixer July 31 from 2–3 p.m.

We hope these tips and tricks help as you navigate JSM, whether it’s your first time or you’re 15th!

Top Applied Events Recommended by CAS Members

Sunday 2:00 p.m.
Powerful and Practical Skills for Statistical Professionals: Selected Presentations from CSP

Sunday 4:00 p.m.
Skills to Leverage and Gaps to Fill to Thrive in Data Science

Tuesday 10:30 a.m.
Graphics in Statistical Practice: Saying It with Pictures in the Classroom, Boardroom, or the Consulting Cube

Sunday 2:00 p.m.
The World of Data Analysis Professionals

Tuesday 2:00 p.m.
Effectively Explaining Statistical Concepts to Researchers from Other Fields

Monday 8:30 a.m.
Communication and Technical Skills in Statistical Consulting and Collaboration

Wednesday 8:30 a.m.
Getting Shots Inside the Box-Cox: Transformational Soccer Analytics

Wednesday 10:30 a.m.
Leadership at All Levels

Tuesday 10:30 a.m.
Statistical Leadership: Insights from Experiences of Prominent Leaders

Tuesday 10:30 a.m.
Sports to Fire: Fascinating Applications of Statistics

Tuesday 2:00 p.m.
A Life Cycle View of Statistics

Monday 10:30 a.m.
Competing Effectively: Hosting, Designing, and Participating in Kaggle-Style Competitions

Monday 8:30 a.m.
Leading Data Science: Talent, Strategy, and Impact

Monday 12:30 p.m.
Roundtable: How to Teach Essential Collaboration Skills to Undergraduate Statistics Majors

Tuesday 2:00 p.m.
Committees on Applied Statisticians and Career Development Social Mixer