Education · 1 of 4

The path

A bachelor's degree gets you in. A master's degree is the standard ticket for the better paid work.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Calculus, advanced functions and data management if your school offers it. Add computer science.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Statistics, or mathematics with a statistics major. Pick a co-op program if you can, since work terms decide your first job.

3. 3

   Learn the tools properly

   During the degree

   R, Python and databases. Employers test this, not your grade in theory courses.

4. 4

   Master's degree

   1 to 2 years

   Statistics or biostatistics. This is what most postings above the entry level ask for, and many programs are 12 to 16 months.

5. 5

   Accreditation, if you want it

   Later, optional

   The Statistical Society of Canada grants the Professional Statistician (P.Stat) designation after a degree plus several years of practice.