Statistics uses data from past experiences to make predictions about the future and assess the reliability of those predictions. Statistics is used to assess the potential impact of various activities and materials on our environment. Statistics is used to determine if new medical procedures and new drugs are both safe and effective. Statistics is used in manufacturing to maintain quality control and to determine the reliability both the products themselves and the process by which they are manufactured. Statistics is used in the insurance industry to determine the rates to be charged for the various policies and to insure that the insurance companies will be able to pay all legitimate claims that they might receive.
Statistics is used in government to assess the potential impact of new laws.
Statistics is used in business to determine if financial reports are accurate. Statistics is also an important tool in operations research. An example of this is determining where to locate the ambulances in a large city so as to minimize the average response time to emergency calls. Job opportunities for statisticians have been steady over the years. Statistician have always been among the best paid scientific and technical personnel in the United States.