We're excited to host our first Spring 2025 Industry Seminar, where we invite statisticians and data scientists currently working in the industry to discuss their experiences. Learn about our upcoming speaker below:
Portia Exum, M.S., Portia Exum is a Software Development Manager at SAS Institute Inc. where she enjoys building teams and solving complex problems. She holds both a BA in Mathematics/Statistics and Economics from Smith College and an MS in Statistics from NC State University. With over a decade of Software R&D and Analytics experience, and Analytics experience, she’s served in a variety of analytica software testing, automation, and management roles throughout her career. She is a co-founder of the Black Initiatives Group (BIG) at SAS and a member of the American Statistical Association’s Committee for Minorities and Statistics. She received the 2022 CEO Award of Excellence, a peer nominated award for exhibiting SAS values and demonstrating a commitment to excellence alongside 24 other global receipients. Portia is invested in creating a diverse pipeline into the field and collaborates to recruit, retain, and develop the next generation of statisticians, data scientists, and computer scientists.
Abstract: "As statisticians, we play many diverse and dynamic roles in the tech industry. From sales and consulting to product management and R&D, statisticians contribute to a wide range of functions beyond traditional research. In this presentation, I will share my personal career journey, illustrating how my skills as a statistician have been applied in various capacities within SAS Institute. We will explore the different career paths available, the types of projects statisticians work on, and the essential skills that help drive innovation in tech environments. I hope to provide insights into how statisticians can shape the future of software companies and empower aspiring professionals to navigate the broad and exciting landscape of opportunities in the field."