Work Experience

MissMiami

In September, I'll be entering my final year of college and I will be specialising in marketing as I hope to pursue a career as a marketing research analyst.

I realise that this is a very difficult area to get in to and I understand that I will probably have to work my way up from carrying out market research before I will be qualified to analyse it.

I hope to do voluntary work experience in a company just so that I can get an idea of how the process works.

Should I apply to only market research companies or would hotels, festival organisers or big retail companies (eg. Dunnes) have a marketing research department and take someone on?
Is there any other businesses I could apply to?

Thanks.

finisklin

Perhaps look at an industry or particular sector that you would like to work in ideally - FMCG, Telecoms, Pharma, etc. Once decided on the industry, look at the main competitors and research companies that support this industry. For example, in FMCG you have the retailers, suppliers (Unilever, P&G, Kelloggs etc.) and then the market research companies that support them.

Also, what does a marketing research analyst do? Researching the market? What aspects of research do you prefer - qualitative or quantitative?

Its no harm sending speculative application's, however be prepared for the worst (or no response). Do you know anybody working in any of these industries/sectors? Friends or family? can your lecturer direct you to someone? If so, ask there advice.

It is worthwhile having a plan B, and that should be where you take a sector that you have an interest in and go and research a particular aspect of it with a view to sharing the findings with a company that will aprreciate the results. This may be company specific, where a company needs a particular problems/market opportunity researched. Or it can be research on a particular market.

Perhaps you have a question or a curiosity about why something regarding a product is displayed, packaged in a particular way? Maybe you can see an opportuinty for a company and you can present solid information to substantiate the proposal?

Your aim has to be to do a meaningful project that will hoperfully get you a permanent job.....tease this out more with your lecturer and perhaps some self reflection on your own interests and career will illuminate you further.

At least you have one year in college to, hopefully, see out the recession!

Best of luck.