You’re considering a career in market research. How can you be sure it’s the right fit for you?

2 What are your goals and values?

Market research can offer you various opportunities to advance your career and achieve your goals. You can work in different sectors, such as consumer goods, healthcare, education, or technology, and specialize in different areas, such as market segmentation, product development, customer satisfaction, or brand strategy. You can also choose to work in different settings, such as agencies, consultancies, corporations, or nonprofits. Depending on your preferences, you can have more or less autonomy, flexibility, and responsibility in your role. You should consider what kind of work environment, culture, and impact aligns with your goals and values, and look for market research positions that suit you.

3 What are the challenges and rewards?

Market research is not a walk in the park. It can be demanding, stressful, and competitive. You will have to deal with tight deadlines, complex data, changing client expectations, and ethical dilemmas. You will have to constantly update your knowledge, skills, and tools, as the market research industry evolves rapidly. You will also have to balance your passion and professionalism, as you may not always agree with or like the results or recommendations of your research. However, market research can also be very rewarding. You will have the chance to work on interesting and meaningful projects, to collaborate with talented and diverse people, and to influence strategic decisions that can make a difference. You will also have the satisfaction of seeing your research results being used and appreciated by your clients and stakeholders.

4 How can you prepare and learn?

If you are serious about pursuing a career in market research, you should start preparing and learning as soon as possible. You can take courses, read books, watch videos, listen to podcasts, or attend webinars on market research topics and techniques. You can also join professional associations, networks, or communities, such as the American Marketing Association, the Insights Association, or Quirk's Media, where you can find resources, events, and mentorship opportunities. You can also look for internships, volunteer work, or freelance projects that can give you hands-on experience and exposure to market research. You can also reach out to market researchers you admire or respect, and ask them for advice, feedback, or referrals.

Market research is a dynamic and rewarding career that can suit different personalities, skills, and aspirations. However, it is not for everyone. You should carefully assess your fit, goals, and expectations before you decide to pursue it. By asking yourself these questions, you can get a clearer picture of whether market research is the right career for you.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?