<p>I've been leaning toward going for a career in Market Research Analysis when I graduate. I've been reading a lot about how it's a growing field but you don't hear too many people talk about it. Do you think it would be better to get a business degree with a concentration in Marketing since it teaches you a lot about marketing or concentration in Business Economics and taking the Marketing Research course as one of my 2 electives since that would help me with my analytical skills and knowledge of how markets function? I'm leaning strongly toward Business Economics but I'm not certain yet.</p>
<p>Why not get both? Does your school allow you to do this?</p>
<p>I thought about it. I have an appointment with a counselor next week so I’ll ask about that possibility. This is my 1st semester at this school so I haven’t figured out whether or not they allow it yet. I do know that every concentration requires you take 2 electives selected from business major courses.</p>
<p>This thread caught my eye so I will chime in…</p>
<p>More and more market research is done using analytical methods closer to what scientists/engineers use nowadays. That market research course is just the “tip of the iceberg” as far as the statistical and probability methods use today.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to major in both, I would suggest taking on the Economic major, and take on a marketing research internship or a marketing internship that involves analyzing. With marketing positions (not including sales), if you don’t have it, they expect you to have some sort of marketing experience to compensate.</p>
<p>Thank you. That’s what I was leaning toward but I wanted opinions of other people who have more knowledge. I don’t have any real business experience, I’ve been doing labor since I’ve been in the workforce with the exception of volunteering on political campaigns a couple years ago so I planned on trying to land an internship or 2 as soon as I get some more econ classes under my belt. Would my work experience hurt me in landing those types of internships?</p>
<p>There’s really two types of market research: quantitative and qualitative. </p>
<p>I worked for a market research firm after completing my BS in Statistics. The quantitative side is where all of the “scientific” (to quote GlobalTraveler) research is done. It’s all based on random probability sampling to collect the data and other statistical techniques to analyze the data. Take a class in sample survey methods, probability theory, and perhaps categorical data analysis to help you in those areas.</p>
<p>The “qualitative” side of things is much less technical. That’s where a background in marketing may help you. I actually think a background in psychology/behavioral science is best for the qualitative side of market research. IMO, the guys that I worked with in market research that had a degree in marketing always struggled to grasp the science behind market research.</p>
<p>Also, you have to be an extremely effective communicator in market research. I wrote lengthy report after lengthy report depending on the project. A class in technical writing goes a very long way in market research.</p>