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Market Researcher Training and Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree is usually sufficient for entry-level market and survey
research positions. Higher degrees may be required for some positions, however.
Continuing education and keeping current with the latest methods of developing,
conducting, and analyzing surveys and other data also is important for
advancement.
Education and training. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum
educational requirement for many market and survey research jobs. However, a
master’s degree may be required, especially for technical positions.
In addition to completing courses in business, marketing, and consumer
behavior, prospective market and survey researchers should take other liberal
arts and social science courses, including economics, psychology, English, and
sociology. Because of the importance of quantitative skills to market and survey
researchers, courses in mathematics, statistics, sampling theory and survey
design, and computer science are extremely helpful. Market and survey
researchers often earn advanced degrees in business administration, marketing,
statistics, communications, or other closely related disciplines.
While in college, aspiring market and survey researchers should gain
experience gathering and analyzing data, conducting interviews or surveys, and
writing reports on their findings. This experience can prove invaluable later in
obtaining a full-time position in the field, because much of the initial work
may center on these duties. Some schools help graduate students find internships
or part-time employment in government agencies, consulting firms, financial
institutions, or marketing research firms prior to graduation.
Other qualifications. Market and survey researchers spend a lot
of time performing precise data analysis, so those considering careers in the
occupation should be able to pay attention to detail. Patience and persistence
are also necessary qualities because these workers must spend long hours on
independent study and problem solving. At the same time, they must work well
with others; often, market and survey researchers oversee the interviewing of a
wide variety of individuals. Communication skills are important, too, because
researchers must be able to present their findings well both orally and in
writing.
Certification and advancement. The Marketing Research
Association (MRA) offers a certification program for professional researchers
who wish to demonstrate their expertise. Certification is based on education and
experience and requires ongoing continuing education.
Researchers and analysts often begin by assisting others. With experience,
market and survey analysts are eventually are assigned their own research
projects. Continuing education and advanced degrees will be helpful to those
looking to advance to more responsible positions in this occupation. It also is
important to keep current with the latest methods of developing, conducting, and
analyzing surveys and other data.
Some people with expertise in marketing or survey research choose to teach
others these skills. A master’s degree usually is the minimum educational
requirement for a job as a marketing or survey research instructor in junior and
community colleges. In most colleges and universities, however, a Ph.D. is
necessary for appointment as an instructor. A Ph.D. and extensive publications
in academic journals are required for professorship, tenure, and promotion.
Others advance to supervisory or managerial positions. Many corporation and
government executives have a strong background in marketing.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
Find related resources below:
Market Researcher Job
Outlook Market Researcher Income
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