Market and Survey Researchers

How much do teens spend on video games? What kinds of movies are most popular with college students? How much is too much for a hot cup of coffee? Market researchers and survey researchers uncover the answers to questions like these. Their methods include everything from telephone and Internet surveys to focus groups to studies of past sales.

Once these answers are discovered, they're used to create better products, ad campaigns, promotions, and more. In short, it’s the mission of market and survey researchers to know everything there is to know about customer satisfaction.

Market and survey researchers both collect information about the public. Market researchers also analyze information, including business statistics.

Are You Ready To...?

• Conduct interviews
• Create surveys
• Crunch numbers
• Form opinions based on statistics
• Write reports
• Communicate results with others
• Travel and work overtime

It Helps To Be...

A clear communicator who is good with numbers and able to draw conclusions from facts.

Make High School Count

• Take advantage of math and statistics. As a market or survey researcher, you’ll need to crunch numbers and data all the time.
• Pay attention in English, drama, and speech courses. Market and survey researchers must communicate their findings to people daily.
• Sign up for psychology. Part of being a good market or survey researcher is understanding what makes people tick.
• Master the computer. Market and survey researchers must be familiar with a wide range of software.
• Try your hand at research: take polls at school or in your neighborhood and use what you learn in research assignments, oral presentations, or an article for the school paper.
• Get involved in DECA and learn about marketing.