Sharp analytical skills as well as a bachelor's degree in a major in the quantitative sciences are needed in order to become a market researcher. Graduate degrees may be needed for more mathematically based positions as well as any management positions. Market research involves collecting and analyzing data about a company's user base or audience and presenting coherent conclusions on this data to improve marketing strategy. You will also need a good handle on analytical software used by those in this profession. Having internship experience in the field could also prove useful if you would like to become a market researcher.
You will need to get at least a bachelor's degree to be qualified for work in one of the many market researcher careers. Most students who decide to pursue this career path will hone their analytical skills by majoring in a quantitative discipline or a discipline that uses math on a regular basis. Suitable subjects may include statistics, economics, business, and marketing.
After obtaining an undergraduate degree, you have the option of going for a more advanced degrees if you wish to become a market researcher who can perform more complex analysis or who will manage junior level employees. An advanced degree in statistics, computer science, or business management will teach you the mathematics behind research analytics topics, including survey design optimization, sampling theories, and research methodologies. A market researcher with a graduate degree can also command a higher salary than one with only a bachelor's degree.
There are some in-house marketing firms and agencies that will only rely on traditional methods to complete market research projects. These firms are usually small, independent companies. If you want to become a market researcher for larger firms with a digital presence, you will more than likely need to familiarize yourself with market research and user testing software. As users seek products and services online, market researcher duties will become increasingly digital in scope. Your research will involve using both surveying software as well as cloud services to collect, track, and analyze all aspects of your company's market and user base.
An internship in market research is an excellent way to pick up the software, creative, analytical, and writing skills needed to succeed in this field. You can find out about opportunities through your university's career services office. Performing a quick online search will also yield available opportunities for bright market research interns.
