Market Researcher
Specialties:
Shoppers, Survey Questionnaire Editors/Coders.
What do Market Researchers do?
- Market Researchers work to determine whether new products or services
will sell and who will buy the product.
- They use statistical procedures to design data gathering projects, such
as surveys, opinion polls, or questionnaires.
- They gather and analyze data on customer preferences and buying habits,
and on competitors' prices, sales, and methods.
- They prepare reports and graphic illustrations, such as tables and
charts, for follow-up consultations and presentations of their findings.
- They may forecast future marketing trends and make suggestions to
management on how to use their findings.
- Task include: They may work for a client company where the emphasis is
on problem definition and implementation of their findings, for a research
supplier where the emphasis is on data gathering and tabulating collected
data, or an advertising agency where the emphasis is on testing concepts,
products, packaging, and advertising.
- They may specialize in working in the high-tech or financial service
industry.
- They work with a staff of Research Workers, such as Statisticians,
Survey Interviewers, and Office Workers.
Salary and Employment Outlook:
EDD Labor
Market Information
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Career Info Net
Typical Employers:
Many large advertising agencies have their own market research departments.
Manufacturing firms, retail chains, ****s, research consulting services,
advertising agencies and public relations firms, trade associations, radio and
television companies, cable TV companies, newspapers and publishing companies,
government agencies, and university research centers. Others are self-employed.
Preparation:
Many Market Researchers enter this occupation by starting at lower-level
jobs, such as Coding Clerks, Interviewers, Research Assistants, and Junior
Analysts. Some work part-time at these jobs while still in school. For some
jobs, employers provide on-the-job training. A college education from at least
two years and up to four years of education, with a social science and
mathematics background, is usually required for many jobs as Market Researchers.
Some employers require a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
Experience is usually required for these jobs. Coursework in psychology,
sociology, social psychology, advertising, and English provide a good
background. For many jobs, employers provide on-the-job training.
Educational Program(s):
Marketing and Sales
Related Programs: Economics, Interdisciplinary/Liberal Studies