Swift

Is an Industrial Career in Statistics for Me?: 

Is an Industrial Career in Statistics for Me? Dr. Dionne D. Swift Senior Statistician The Procter & Gamble Company April 27, 2007

Objectives: 

Why I became an industry statistician? What do Statisticians do in industry? What training do industrial Statisticians really need? Why should I consider an industrial career? Objectives

My Background?: 

My Background? B.A. in Mathematics, Oakwood College M.S. in Statistics, The Ohio State University Ph.D. in Statistics, The Ohio State University Senior Statistician in P&G RD 7 yrs at current job assignment

My Personal Career Path : 

My Personal Career Path Dreamed of Becoming An Astronaut High School

My Personal Career Path : 

My Personal Career Path Undergraduate Mathematics Major and Chemistry Minor Considered Engineering and Applied Mathematics for advanced studies The turning point – an internship at Eli Lilly Finally, a career in Statistics

Facts about P&G: 

Facts about P&G 300 Brands in over 140 countries P&G Headquarters in Cincinnati

22 Billion Dollar Brands: 

22 Billion Dollar Brands

Facts about P&G: 

Facts about P&G Annual Sales >$68 Billion Each year we reinvest ~ $2 Billion in R&D We employ >9,000 people worldwide in R&D (~135,000 employees worldwide) >1,100 Ph.D. scientist (~900 in U.S.)

Slide10: 

Research & Development (R&D) at P&G

At P&G, R&D is Global: 

At P&G, R&D is Global

Statistics Group: 

Statistics Group Comprised ~60 statisticians and statistical analysts/ programmers globally. ~ 50% Ph.D.s ~ 40% M.S Provides statistical support across several Business Units Located in 4 countries (US, UK, Japan, China, eventually Belgium) Comprised of Clinical Group, Non-Clinical, and Statistical Computing

What Do I Do?: 

What Do I Do? Help scientists and engineers collect and analyze data to better understand our technology, our products, and our consumers and develop new statistical methodology. More specifically, design experiments and analyze data to….

What Do I Do?Product Development : 

What Do I Do? Product Development Understand the consumers’ (the BOSS) needs and desires. Determine new product effectiveness and viability, and quality improvement of existing products or upgrades. Determine optimal product formulation. Study product safety. Compare products with competitors’. Create, defend and dispute advertising claims through lawsuits and challenges.

What Do I Do?  Technology Development: 

What Do I Do? Technology Development Assess impact of formula changes, process variations, and changes in plant conditions. Evaluate and compare new technologies. Determine sources of variability of test methods or systems and if the test methods/systems meet the intended needs.

What Do I Do? Consumer Research: 

What Do I Do? Consumer Research Identify consumer-relevant product attributes and benefits that lead to product selection. Identify areas of white space for new product development. Build model to predict consumer liking from technical test methods.

What Do I Do?Miscellaneous: 

What Do I Do? Miscellaneous Design and teach statistics courses for engineers and scientists. Build web-based tools for conducting standardized analyses. Attend conferences, seminars, and continuing education activities.

Overall Experience: 

Overall Experience PLENTY OF INDEPENDENT WORK SOMETHING DIFFERENT EACH DAY USE LOGIC ENCOURAGED TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH IDEAS RISK TAKING ENCOURAGED CHALLENGING CONTINUOUS LEARNING WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHERS DAILY TO ATTAIN COMMON GOAL - TEAMWORK!!!! USE RESOURCES VARIETY ! VARIETY ! VARIETY !

My Advice...: 

My Advice... Go for the advanced degree, if you have… A strong undergraduate record The drive and ability to work for a long-term goal The temperament to work on tough problems and solve them High expectations for career opportunities and professional success

Attributes Industry Seeks In New R&D Employees: 

Attributes Industry Seeks In New R&D Employees Technical Mastery Thinking and Problem Solving Initiative and Follow-Through Creativity and Innovation Leadership Working Effectively with Others Communication

Conclusions: 

Conclusions Be honest with yourself – know who you are! Take risks – dream large! Dionne Swift Fabric & Home Care Innovation Center 5299 Spring Grove Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45217 (513) 698-4828