In the fast-paced world of market research, establishing a robust professional network is as essential as mastering the intricacies of the industry itself. This blog aims to guide you through the effective use of LinkedIn and the myriad networking opportunities provided by market research firms to accelerate your career in this dynamic field.

Beyond merely listing skills, highlight your proficiency in market research-related competencies. If actively seeking employment, make use of the “Open to Work” feature to signal to recruiters that you are open to new opportunities. When connecting with professionals, send personalized requests expressing genuine interest in forging meaningful connections.

Active engagement is the key on LinkedIn. Join industry-specific groups to participate in discussions. Share pertinent content, such as reports and articles, to showcase your expertise. Follow market research firms, industry associations, and companies to stay updated on industry developments and job opportunities.

**Navigating Networking Opportunities with Market Research Firms**

Market research firms offer a plethora of networking opportunities that can significantly elevate your career trajectory.

Attending conferences and events hosted by these firms provides a unique chance to network with professionals and gain firsthand insights into industry trends. Explore webinars and workshops for interactive learning and the opportunity to connect with industry experts.

Networking events, both organized by firms and within the industry, offer a more informal setting for professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and foster lasting relationships. Engage in online forums and communities facilitated by market research firms to participate in discussions and connect with industry peers.

Professional associations, such as the Insights Association or ESOMAR, play a pivotal role in connecting professionals in the market research field. Joining these associations opens doors to exclusive events, conferences, and webinars, creating ample networking opportunities.

Social media groups and vendor exhibitions provide additional channels for connecting with professionals and vendors in the industry. Participate in collaborative research projects and consider attending recruitment events or career fairs hosted by market research firms to explore job opportunities.

 

1. What did you already know?
   1. I already knew the importance of experience in the field of data analytics. I already knew to network with people in my field. 
2. What did you learn?
   1. ChatGPT implies that networking through LinkedIn will give you a great competitive advantage. A lot of interaction with people in the CIS field on LinkedIn seems like the way to go, especially in my case in which I’m commuting to campus two days a week it isn’t feasible for me to attend the career fairs catered to my major since they are mostly on days I’m not down there.
3. What do you need to do/learn next?
   1. My next course of action is to update my LinkedIn profile. I need to update my headshot, connect with more people, and set more specific preferences for the jobs I want to apply for.
4. How are you feeling about all this at this point?
   1. I’m feeling good about the job search. My main focus is to optimize all of the skills and resources I have now and to present it in an effective way to employers.

1. A paragraph about how you did the research for this week’s assignment — be specific and detailed. What websites did you use? What search terms? Were you looking locally nationally or globally? How many relevant opportunities did you find? And so on.

For this week’s assignment, i decided to use handshake.com. Handshake is an employment available to all GSU students. Here it’s easier to set your job preferences when searching for entry-level positions or specific companies. My search terms were data analyst and business analyst, preferably any job focusing on the degree I’m getting (Computer Information Systems). Internships are my main focus, particularly during the summer months. Summer internship applications are due starting in May. I’m also looking at entry-level full-time jobs. I decided to look locally (specifically in Atlanta within a 25-mile radius) because I plan to work in the city after graduation. Some jobs fit my qualifications that were outside of the state however most of them did not provide a housing benefit. I ended up finding a decent amount of relevant opportunities all located in Atlanta and all looking for a CIS major.

 

2. A paragraph (or three) in which you lay out the qualifications, responsibilities, and software expectations you have discovered as well as anything else you think is important.
   

Qualifications:

All jobs require a fundamental understanding of college-level mathematics as well as the ability to juggle and execute multiple tasks. Computer programming knowledge and skills are also required. Since most internships require teamwork, they mostly require the ability to collaborate with other team members and have dedication to meeting and exceeding their expectations. However, it will be a lot of responsibilities therefore they require strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Most jobs I applied to require you to clear a pre-employment drug test.

Responsibilities:

The role involves providing analytical support for the preparation of asset business plans. This includes the extraction, review, analysis, and interpretation of various financial and operational documents such as financial statements, rent rolls, third-party reports, tenant lease agreements, surveys, title reports, zoning reports, property insurance policies, credit reports, and other due diligence requirements. Additionally, the responsibilities extend to researching, analyzing, and summarizing tenant-level information, including financial trends and credit ratings. Market and submarket information, encompassing inventory, absorption, new/proposed development, rent, and vacancy trends, is also a focal point for analysis. The extraction of pertinent data from appraisal, engineering, environmental, and other reports is crucial. The role further involves writing property, market, borrower/sponsor descriptions, and third-party report summaries for inclusion in credit memos and asset summary reports. Beyond these tasks, the position requires a comprehensive understanding of the company’s overall concept, including its brand, customer base, product goals, and service aspects. The intern is expected to rotate through various company divisions, contributing ideas to enhance business growth and improvement. Designated business-focused projects are assigned, involving research, proposal development, and presentation during the internship. Engaging with office employees and clients to provide strategic opinions and support is part of the role. Moreover, the intern is encouraged to offer suggestions to management for enhancing factory building project processes and perform other related duties as assigned by their manager.

Software Expectations:

MS Office

Tableau

R Studio

Python SQL

PowerBI

 

3. A list of all of the specific abilities employers are looking for.

Understanding of Agile methodology

Manual Testing, APIs, Data Validation, Test Automation tools Understanding of statistical analysis

Working knowledge of software design technologies, best practices, etc.

 

4. A list of your documents, videos, images, etc. that will demonstrate one or more of the specific abilities they are looking for.

Understanding of Agile Methodology:

• Project Backlogs: Demonstrate proficiency in creating and managing Agile project backlogs, showcasing prioritization skills.
• Sprint Planning Documents: Provide examples of sprint planning documents that illustrate your ability to break down tasks and estimate work effort.

Manual Testing, APIs, Data Validation, and Test Automation Tools:

API Testing Reports: Share reports from API testing exercises, indicating proficiency in testing endpoints and data validation.

Understanding of Statistical Analysis:

• Data Analysis Reports: Share reports or presentations where statistical analysis was applied to draw meaningful insights from datasets.
• Statistical Models: Showcase any developed statistical models, such as regression analysis or predictive modeling, to demonstrate analytical skills.
• Data Visualization: Present visuals like charts or graphs that effectively communicate statistical findings.

Working Knowledge of Software Design Technologies, Best Practices, etc.:

• Code Samples: Share snippets of code written in relevant programming languages, demonstrating adherence to software design best practices. 

 

5. A list of the documents, videos, images, etc. between now and when you graduate you need to create.

Data Analysis Reports: Share reports or presentations where statistical analysis was applied to draw meaningful insights from datasets.

Statistical Models: Showcase any developed statistical models, such as regression analysis or predictive modeling, to demonstrate analytical skills.

 

6. Finally, write a paragraph reflecting on your experience doing this research. What did you learn, what did you know that was reinforced, and what do you want to do/learn next? How are you feeling about all this at this point?

The main thing I expected going into my research was that most companies are seeking strong-minded people with a will to be well-organized and committed to detail. One thing I’ve learned is that companies are expecting you to have already done some sort of work in that field as that would provide you with an advantage in the screening process and eventually later on once you get accepted. My next course of action in pursuit of a job is to start a personal project that shows my expertise in data science to add to my portfolio. I feel as though I have my work cut out for me this semester if I plan on taking on this personal project because that’ll require me squeezing it into an already tight schedule.