Market Research is a career that everyone has probably heard of, but how many people actually know what a career in this sector consists of, or how accessible it is? In some circles there appears to be a misconception that the field can be somewhat difficult to get into, but the truth is that as a starting base point there aren’t many better choices than a Market Research career. The skills you’ll take on cover a broad spectrum of sectors and you’ll really be able to hone your craft, so without further ado let’s get started!
How do I create a career in market research?
Firstly, you’ll want to make a decision on which research path you’re going to follow. If your interests or talents lie in your ability to work well with numbers then quantitative research would seem like the logical path to take, as your keen eye will allow you to work well using analytics software and metric-driven data.
If you’d consider yourself as more of a people person, or someone with experience of understanding human behaviours and observing body language, then qualitative research is potentially the path for you to take. A qualitative researcher needs to know the how and why of audience behaviours, offering helpful insight to a business when they’re struggling for answers.
What qualifications do you need to be a market research analyst?
Required qualifications will of course depend on the type of role and level of seniority you’re applying for within the role, but a good general rule to follow would be this:
- Qualitative research roles – Degree or experience in psychology, economics and/or mathematics desired.
- Quantitative research roles – Degree or experience in sociology, geography, anthropology or human studies desired.
Is market research a good career?
Not that we’re biased or anything, but of course! A common cliché in the world of work is that ‘no two days are the same’, but in the Market Research sector the variety of work you’ll be carrying out ensures that this is actually the case.
Due to the diversity of work you’ll be carrying out across a collection of different industries, you’ll quickly find that your pallet of experience in different areas quickly expands. The skills you’ll gain will serve you well in business strategy, communications and even entrepreneurship in future. Not bad, eh?
Where can I apply?
At BEAM we’re always on the lookout for great young talent, and as an ever-growing business it’s vital that we continue to attract the best candidates to add to our already fantastic team. If you’re interested in kickstarting your Market Research career and you think that we could be the right fit for you, please take some time to fill out our contact form in the careers page, making sure to attach a cover letter explaining why you belong in the BEAM team.
We look forward to looking at your wonderful applications!