Date:         Fri, 5 Sep 2008 14:34:44 -0500
Reply-To:     Mary <mlhoward@avalon.net>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Mary <mlhoward@AVALON.NET>
Subject:      Re: OT:Further Education
Comments: To: Keelin Swizanson <swizans.ke@GMAIL.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

Oklahoma State Univ. has a certificate online in data mining:

http://spears.okstate.edu/future/graduate/degrees/certificate/datamining

Another option, if you couldn't afford that, would be to take the live web
courses at SAS:

http://support.sas.com/training/us/lw/list.html

It would seem like taking classes in SAS SQL, SAS Macro Language, and
statistical classes like Mixed Models and Categorical Data Analysis using
Logistic Regression would be especially helpful.  If you wanted to go beyond
that, courses in Logitudinal analysis and survival analysis would be
helpful.

If you wanted to get a masters degree in statistics to be more marketable,
both Colorado State University and Iowa State University offer fully online
programs.

Perhaps after that you could investigate whether you might be able to get on
with a research position at one of the universities; the University of
Western Ontario and the University of Waterloo both have strong research
programs that probably need SAS statistical programmers, but having a
certificate in data mining or a masters degree in statistics would make you
more marketable.  Always try to build on what you already know.

-Mary
----- Original Message -----
From: Keelin Swizanson
To: SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 1:53 PM
Subject: OT:Further Education


I've been a frequent (albeit quiet) list follower for about a year now
after picking up SAS for a contract job requirement. I have a BSc in
Statistics and thoroughly enjoy programming. My contract is almost up and
after having a rough time trying to find another stats related job in my
area (rural Ontario) I decided now might be the time to pursue some further
education. I have my base SAS certification and am working towards my
advanced, however I was wondering what else I should get...

I think I enjoy the problem solving side of coding... (I do a lot of ad hoc
requests, pulling information from databases and such) so I think maybe data
mining might be something worth looking into.... but I was wondering if that
would make me more marketable, or do I need things like unix/vb? And if so,
what would be the best way to go about getting these certifications?

The main reason I can't find a job is because of my location, but due to my
fiancee's military posting, moving isn't an option... Does anyone know how I
could find information on companies that work remotely?

Any ideas/information you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Keelin