SOUTHEAST SAS USER GROUP CONFERENCE

SESUG 2020 Free Virtual Events

While we were unable to gather together in person this year, the committee has been busy planning some virtual events to help everyone stay connected and keep their SAS skills sharp! Please join us for our virtual conference week October 26-30. These virtual events are free and will include the following:

Grand Prize Owl

The grand prize owl, shown below this paragraph, is open to all participants that participate in the virtual event and have a US mailing address. This owl is in addition to the other owls. Although this owl was created by our talented Academic Chair, Richann, the pattern is from 'TheCrochetMan'. Best of luck to all in winning this fun owl!

Virtual Scavenger Hunt

As you know our logo features an owl and at SESUG 2019 we had some of these adorable owls with us. While some of them have found a home, there are others that are still looking for their forever home.

To help find the perfect home for these cute critters, we have decided to host a Virtual Scavenger Hunt. There are different ways to participate in the Virtual Scavenger Hunt. You can choose to participate in one or two or all of them. The more you participate the more entrees you receive for the drawing of one of these owls.

One way to participate is by completing the SESUG Website Scavenger Hunt form and/or SESUG Social Media Scavenger Hunt form. Once you have found the answers and are ready to submit them, you can e-mail Richann Watson (academicchair2020@sesug.org) and Lesa Caves (operationschair2020@sesug.org) your completed forms. For each correct response you will receive an entry into the drawing for an owl. That means with just the two forms you can receive up to 24 entries.

The SESUG 2020 virtual event will include a career panel, virtual code doctors, and several ‘BOFs’ (Birds of Feather). All of these are additional ways to receive an entry. Each of these virtual sessions will provide the attendees with a code word. Once the attendees have participated in the event and received their code word, they can e-mail Richann Watson (academicchair2020@sesug.org) and Lesa Caves (operationschair2020@sesug.org) with the session they attended and the code word. The more sessions you participate in the more entries you receive.

Please have your Scavenger Hunt entries submitted by November 1, 2020 11:59 PM. We will use SAS to randomly select our winners who will be announced by November 4, 2020.

Please note that while we want to welcome everyone to participate even those that live outside of the United States; however, we are only able to ship the owls within the US.

 

Birds of a Feather (BOF) Sessions

The Birds of a Feather sessions are free virtual meetings in which a facilitator will lead a discussion on a particular topic of interest. SESUG is hosting several BOF sessions on a variety of topics:

BOF Topic Description Time Registration
Exploring the Skills Needed by the Data Scientist
(facilitator: Kirk Paul Lafler)
As 2.5 quintillion bytes (1 with 18 zeros) of new data are created each and every day, the age of big data has taken on new meaning. More and more organizations across industries are embracing Data Science / Computer Research Scientist skills resulting in an emerging demand for qualified and experienced talent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the number of data science jobs is expected to grow 19 percent over the next two decades – nearly three times as fast as the average growth rate for all jobs. Energized by this incredible employment outlook, students, young professionals, and other professionals across job functions are preparing for tomorrow’s growing data science demands by acquiring an all-encompassing skill set. To prepare for this growing demand, many colleges, junior colleges, Universities, and vocational training organizations offer comprehensive degrees and certificate programs to fulfill the increasing demand for analytical skills. This presentation explores the skills needed by the Data Scientist / Computer Research Scientist including non-technical skills such as critical thinking; business acumen and communications; and technical skills such as data access; data wrangling; statistics; statistical programming languages like Python, R and SAS®; Structured Query Language (SQL); Microsoft Excel; and data visualization. 10/26/20
10 - 11 AM
ET

10/30/20
4 - 5 PM
ET
Register
What’s Hot – Skills for SAS® Professionals
(facilitator: Kirk Paul Lafler)
As a new generation of SAS user emerges, current and prior generations of users have an extensive array of procedures, programming tools, approaches and techniques to choose from. Topics include identifying and exploring the areas that are hot in the world of the professional SAS user, such as SAS University Edition software, support.sas.com, www.LexJansen.com, SAS Studio, PROC SQL, PROC REPORT, ODS, ODS Excel, Macro Language, and DATA step programming techniques such as dashboards, data-driven programming and hash objects. 10/27/20
2 - 3 PM
ET

10/29/20
4 - 5 PM
ET
Register
Interfacing SAS with Open Source software technologies
(facilitator: Mel Alexander)
This session is a continuation of a BOF from SESUG 2019. The BOF provides an opportunity to share experiences and dialog about ways to integrate open source software like R, JMP, and Python with base SAS, SAS Viya, SASPy, Jupyter, and R Studio. Also, participants can discuss the pros, cons, and challenges that SAS users face performing specific tasks using SAS and open-source software integration. 10/27/20
7 - 8 PM
ET
Register
Using the SAS ODS EXCEL Destination
(facilitator: William E. Benjamin, Jr.)
SAS is a powerful system of tools and programming features, however many management personnel are not computer programmers. But, they have used Microsoft EXCEL and only want a “SPREADSHEET” so they can do their job. The SAS ODS EXCEL Destination is a powerful tool that can aid the programming staff in providing the spreadsheets requested by management and other employees. The overwhelming number of options can be combined in thousands of ways to produce production or delivery ready output. I wrote a book about how you can do this and we can discuss those options in this Bird’s of a Feather on-line get together. 10/28/20
11 AM - 12 PM
ET

10/29/20
11 AM - 12 PM
ET
Register
How to Set Yourself Up for Analytics Success
(facilitator: Stephanie Thompson)
Have you ever jumped into a project with great enthusiasm only to end up wondering how everything got so disorganized? Maybe you worked on a project diligently and were then told that it was not what the requester wanted. I would say these and similar things have happened to everyone at some point in their career. Let's get together to talk about the steps you can take to make sure your next project does not go off the rails. I will share stories and tips gained from years of experience that will help you avoid the problems I have seen. Bring you own challenges and we can work together to set you up for success. 10/30/20
9 - 10 AM
ET
Register

*"Register" links will redirect you to signup.com to sign up for the free virtual event. After registering for the session you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to attend the event.

 

Code Doctor Sessions

Is your code making you sick? Are you having trouble finding the cure? Let the Code Doctors help. This year the Code Doctors are here to help you virtually! The 2020 Code Doctors can provide expert guidance on almost any of your code woes!

Doctor on Call Time Registration
William E. Benjamin, Jr. William E. Benjamin, Jr., owns Owl Computer Consultancy, LLC, and works as a consultant, trainer, and author. His expertise includes Base SAS® Software, and SAS Macros, and many other computer languages. William has a BS degree in computer science from Arizona State University and an MBA from Western International University. He has been a SAS software user since 1983 and a computer programmer since 1973. His programming experience spans from vacuum tube mainframes, to current PC computers. William has written two books published by SAS Press. They are "Exchanging Data between SAS and Microsoft Excel: Tips and Techniques to Transfer and Manage Data More Efficiently" and his new book "Exchanging Data From SAS to Excel: The ODS Excel Destination". He has been the Chair of the Valley of the Sun SAS User’s group in Phoenix Arizona since 2007. He has written and presented papers for SAS Global Forum, as well as many regional and local SAS users groups. 10/26/20
1 - 2 PM
ET

10/30/20
11 AM - 12 PM
ET
Register
Brian Varney Brian Varney has been a SAS consultant, trainer, and senior technical manager for over 30 years with the Experis Business Analytics Group, a SAS Consulting Alliance Partner. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, he keeps busy with providing SAS training, consulting support and business development (plus a few hours a week for rugby and soccer). 10/27/20
12 - 1 PM
ET
Cancelled
Stephanie Thompson Stephanie Thompson has over twenty years of experience in applying statistical and modeling techniques to solve business problems in various commercial and academic environments. Strong understanding of data structures, a variety of analytical tools, and operating environments. Views problems (opportunities?) in a broad context by examining the interrelations between issues and the local and broader operational framework. Demonstrated skill at effectively communicating and working across multiple functional areas and at all organizational levels. Stephanie has made dozens of presentations at local, regional, and international meetings and conferences to technical and non-technical audiences. As a Code Doctor she specializes in Base SAS and the Data Step, PROC SQL, Macro, and other sundry PROCs along with Enterprise Guide and Enterprise Miner. 10/28/20
4 - 5 PM
ET
Register
Rachel Straney Rachel Straney is an analyst/programmer at the University of Central Florida. Her main responsibilities include the administration, collection, and reporting of student surveys. She also serves as a statistician to conduct assessments and evaluations which support decision making for university operations and student learning. She has been programming in SAS for over 15 years. As a Code Doctor she specializes in SAS Macros, reporting procedures like PROC TABULATE, and statistical procedures like PROC LOGISTIC, PROC REG, PROC NPAR1WAY. She also is experienced in the development of dynamic web driven reports using SAS/IntrNet. 10/29/20
2 - 3 PM
ET
Register

*"Register" links will redirect you to signup.com to sign up for the free virtual event. After registering for the session you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to attend the event.

 

Career Panel

Time: 10/27/20 12 - 1 PM ET and 10/29/20 5 - 6 PM ET
Register

As part of SESUG’s virtual offering, we are hosting a career panel to discuss the intersection of SAS, the workplace, and your career. Panelists come from a variety of backgrounds including Academia, Banking, Government, and Pharmaceuticals. Panel discussion will focus on identifying and cultivating your own particular brand as a SAS skilled professional. Panelists will share experiences and insight on getting started, career trajectory, and career-long education and development. The panel will also explore the differences in applying SAS skills to different content areas and the future outlook for SAS professionals.

*"Register" links will redirect you to signup.com to sign up for the free virtual event. After registering for the session you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to attend the event.

Panelist Industry Experience
Jason Brinkley Biostatistics/
Healthcare
Jason Brinkley, Ph.D., is a biostatistician, data scientist and health researcher who leads the Research Design and Analytics team in Abt’s Data Science, Surveys and Enabling Technologies division. Brinkley has expertise in a wide range of analytic methods, and he specializes in machine learning, customized data visualizations, maps and dash-boarding. He balances research time between examining theoretical ways to assess the impact of medical interventions on public health and developing best practices for using statistical software.
Venita DePuy Consulting/
Contracting
Venita DePuy, Ph.D., is the owner and lead biostatistician of Bowden Analytics, a consulting agency based in Raleigh, NC. She has contracted both as a SAS programmer and a statistician, although her primary focus is statistics. Her clientele typically includes pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies, and clinical trial organizations (CROs), as well as veterinary medicine researchers. She originally began contracting to have greater flexibility (a full-time CRO job was not conducive to completing her dissertation in a timely fashion)... 10 years later, she continues to enjoy the work/life balance that flexibility provides.
Darryl Putnam Banking and FinanceDarryl Putnam is currently an information architect with Bank of America. He has over 25 years experience designing and implementing statistical and data analyses systems to solve business problems in a wide variety of industries. Mr. Putnam has specialized in designing and implementing the SAS software solution suite to build information decision support systems for his clients. These solutions range from statistical quality control systems, geo-demographic mapping systems, behavioral modeling systems, and enterprise wide production systems.
Kelly Smith Higher EducationKelly Smith works at Central Piedmont Community College in North Carolina as an institutional researcher. Institutional Research is actually her third career - she started as a forensic DNA analyst, shifted teaching high school science, and about five years ago decided to enter the field of higher education while still teaching General Chemistry as an adjunct. Over the last year, she has broken down and rebuilt legacy SAS code and used it to build and track student momentum metrics.
Mark Stevens Information Technology/
SAS Certification Development
Mark Stevens is the Lead Certification Developer on the SAS Global Certification Team. Mark has a 25 year career in IT, working with telecommunications and computer software companies. For the past 10 years, Mark has been developing certification exams at SAS. Developing certifications provides a wonderful opportunity to work with groups across SAS and our customers to develop exam content to assess skills in a wide variety of technology: from programming, to analytics to system administration. In addition to working in assessment, Mark’s career trajectory has been enhanced by holding IT certifications.
Abbas Tavakoli Higher Education/
Healthcare
Abbas Tavakoli currently works as a Professor with the college of Nursing at the University of South Carolina. He has worked with office of research College of Nursing since 1992. He worked with Health Statistics at Raleigh (NC) from 1990 to 1992. His job entails teaching, involves with research, and using many statistical procedures. He has taught Statistics courses for undergraduate and graduate programs since 2004. He has served as a data manager, biostatistician, and research team member for seven previous NIH-funded R01 grants and many smaller grants that have required data management, display and analysis plans.