If you are interested in learning how to become a market research analyst, you should know that there are several paths you can pursue to accomplish the objective. To learn more about how to begin a career in this exciting, dynamic field, consider the brief outline below.
The Market Research Analyst – Defining the Title
A market research analyst is an individual who studies marketing conditions to make projections regarding the potential sales that could be garnered from the employer’s goods and/or services. Specifically, market research analysts help businesses and organizations understand what types of goods and services the public wants, which target markets will purchase them, and for what prices.
Becoming a Market Research Analyst
If you are interested in becoming a market research analyst, you should know that there are several things you can do to accomplish your objectives. The basic requirements and suggestions for career optimization are found below:
Educational Requirements
Typically, market research analysts will have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Although there is not one specific bachelor’s degree that you must attain to work within this sector, you need to select an educational program that will provide you with knowledge and experience that is transferable to the world of marketing. Here are several degree programs that you should consider:
Marketing
Marketing degree programs provide students with the knowledge and experience necessary for the effective research, marketing, and sale of a business’s products and services.
Advertising
Advertising is a degree program that prepares students to persuade audiences to take a course of action related to services, goods, and/or ideas. To accomplish this objective, advertising degree programs include courses that teach students how to drive consumer behavior in a direction that is conducive to purchasing a product or service.
Business
Earning a degree in business can be a very prudent decision for individuals who wish to become marketing research analysts. This is the case for several reasons, including the fact that business degrees typically provide students with knowledge and experience in time management, organization, and leadership. Each of these skills will help facilitate higher rates of efficacy in the marketing sector.
Skill Set
If you want to become a market research analyst, there are several skills that you should possess. First, you should be able to effectively communicate ideas to others. This will be important when you are communicating with your fellow staff members as well as when you convey information regarding the nature and quality of the goods and/or services that your employer may want to promote. In addition to having excellent communication skills, strong analytical and math skills are necessary to excel in this sector of marketing.
Experience
Although many aspiring market research analysts may be hired right out of college, it is still a good idea to attain as much experience as you can prior to graduation. With this idea in mind, students should look into internships, externships, volunteering, and entry-level positions in order to become more marketable job candidates after graduation.
The Market Research Analyst-Expected Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a market research analyst can expect to earn about $60,300 annually.
Conclusion
If you have given any consideration to becoming a market research analyst, you should know that there are a plethora of wonderful opportunities within this sector. Now that you have a basic understanding of how to become a market research analyst, you can decide whether this vocational path would be an appropriate or ideal one for you to pursue.