As the month of May quickly approaches, it reminds me that I graduated college 25 years ago! Wow a long time ago. During that time a lot has happened with many changes. I have gotten married, have three kids and moved a number of times. No matter what changes have happened, one thing has always been constant. I have always worked in the Marketing Research Industry. Like most, my arrival to the industry came by surprise–frankly a pleasant surprise. You always dream (or at least I did) about working in the same industry for your entire career (have you done the same thing?) and to be able to do that for twenty-five years is something very special and something I am very proud of. Here is why I love the Marketing Research Industry:
- It is always changing. In the morning you could be working with clients in the financial services industry and then two hours later, with clients from the travel industry.
- We are ahead of the market. I like knowing what products and services are coming out on the market prior to their arrival.
- The people! To have met people along this journey like Ed Sugar, Jeffrey Lorber, Sandy Schwartz, Dan Krason, Janet Savoie and Steve Schlesinger (and way too many others to list all of them) and be able to call them friends is something that is so important to me!
- I love the size of the industry. The fact is that the US research industry is less than 9 billion dollars makes it very appealing to me. This great industry is very small and allows you the opportunity to know so many people in so many different and types of companies.
Now your turn.
- How long have you been in your industry?
- What has made you stay in the industry?
- Do you love your industry as much as I do?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Christine Cook says:
I too have been in marketing research for over 25 years. I started in 1981 and was working as a manager in a call center putting myself through college. I earned my degree in accounting and just couldn’t give up the research so I worked FT doing Accounting and ran the call center at night. I did this for several years before having my twins (who are graduating in a couple weeks from college). I left research after maternity leave for one year. It’s all I could stand. I loved what I did and so I went back and have been doing marketing research ever since. I have a theory about this…while other little kids are playing doctor and nurse…marketing researcher were playing report! I probably holler from my office or walking down the hall “I love this job” about 3-4 times a week. It’s a crazy business at time, but I can honestly say I do love what I do and I try to give back to our industry by volunteering my time and finances whenever possible. Thanks for a great topic Merrill. I consider you a true friend that I have met along the way.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Christine,
Appreciate your comments and over the years I have met so many talented and passionate people like yourself that I call friends as well.
If the Mavs meet the Nuggets we will need to have a friendly wager.
Enjoy the weekend.
Merrill
Christine Cook says:
You’re on! It’s a bet!
Merrill Dubrow says:
I ACCEPT – MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW!
MERRILL
janet says:
Thank you Merrill. I consider myself the luckiest person in the world to be counted as one of your friends. I love you, man,,,,,and I love this industry!!
Paul Kirch says:
Great topic. I joined MR back in 1990 as a telephone interviewer. I have filled a lot of roles over the 18+ years, but went into sales back in 2000. I have gone through periods where I felt I was ready to move on to another industry, but over the last few years I have truly grown to love this industry and feel I’ve been blessed in many ways. I’ve met some amazing people, I’ve been able to contribute in many capacities and couldn’t imagine leaving now. I’m currently President of the NorthWest MRA and through my involvement in many of the organizations, I’ve gained many great connections and through giving back, have gained so much.
There have been a lot of changes since I joined this industry and especially since I went into sales. I have concerns about some of the directions and issues we all face, but I do love this industry and am excited for my future within it. Thanks to some great mentors (yes, Merrill, you’re included in that list), I’ve learned a lot and try to pass that on to those who reach out to me. I’ve found a lot of personal fulfillment through this industry and hope others have had similar experiences.
Magda Cooling says:
Wow, to think that I started in 1984 as an Interviewer on the Phones and yes I did Mall Intercepts too. Look at where I am now. Worked my way up from the Interviewer to Supervisor to Asst. Manager to Manager at another company – certainly learned quite a bit along the way. Hugh and I have owned Opinions… of Sacramento for 16 years! YES, I LOVE THIS INDUSTRY! It’s difficult, it’s stressful, it’s FUN, it’s rewarding and you make life long friends all over the world. You can either survive this Industry and be a Lifer or you can’t.
Todd Hansen says:
The PEOPLE for sure are the best part recruiting in the market research field. In my 7 years The technical backgrounds of the professionals I have met are very entertaining yet the consultative nature of our industry makes people all that more open and fun to talk to. A great story supporting this is a couple years ago when I was playing in a Texas Hold’em tournament at a company function. I was at a table with a PhD in Statistics and another who had their PhD in Psychology – What a challenge! Do I play the odds or try bluffing? I didn’t do either and just sat their watched and folded every hand until I only had only enough to put in my blind. Amazingly, I think I only played a total of three hands and still had the best time playing cards! Its not that I can’t play (I had terrible cards) but I was having fun just being around the people at my table. My strategy worked too as I placed third and won my money back!!!
Tammie Frost-Norton says:
I guess true love is being unemployed for 9 months and still Chapter President, and still on a bi-weekly phone call for a national MRA workgroup. I just can’t get enough! This industry, and MRA seems to be in my blood. I can’t imagine how people are in this industry and not part of MRA volunteering! I started in the Field in 1991, and became a member in ’95 I believe, and have never looked back. It is a stressful career at times, but the people, the constant change, and the great insights from influencer’s like Merrill about our industry is what keeps me involved, feeling valued, and convinced it all makes a difference.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Tammie,
I love your commitment and energy! When you get a minute please send me your resume and see how i might be able to help.
Thanks.
Merrill
Amy Shields says:
This crazy and incredible profession undoubtedly helped define who I was as a young professional and gave me a kind of ambition I’m not sure I would have found elsewhere. I began in 1993 and have worked in quantitative and qualitative data collection/consulting and never cease to be amazed by the diversity of research; emerging methodologies and techniques, etc. Because of this industry, I don’t think there’s a state in the U.S. that I don’t have a cherished friend. Do I think that’s unique? You bet! This career has also seen me become a mother for the 4th time and a LOLA for the first time…my children only remember me as a researcher, and while my 18 year old thinks I have the most boring job ever, she will soon understand how important it is to find something you have a passion for and to go for it full-force.
Willie Martin says:
Hi Merrill!
For 30 years I have made the restaurant service industry my vocation for better or worse. Even now, it gladdens me all the great people whose path I have crossed frokm many walks of life. I like to think I do a little more than provide food and drink.
Much like your industry, I have seconds to anticipate the needs of a customer while trying to maintain brevity and courtesy. Its a juggling act but I still enjoy it.
I thank you for your loyalty for the last five years. Nioce job on the Yankee sweep. Told you so!
Take care friend!
Jim Quilty says:
Merrill,
Not only are we blessed to be in this dynamic industry, but to be in it now, during this global economic downturn, is truly fascinating. Once we get past all the downsized client budgets and deferred programs, we realize we have the opportunity to help our clients shape the future of their industries – more so than in the solid economic times.
Being a relative newbie to the industry (5 years), I still hold firm to notion that I cannot imagine how any company can make a strategic decision without first listening to their customers. I expect I’ll feel that way in 20 years also.
And of course, I’ve met great people. Some of them (gasp!) are even Boston Red Sox fans.
Jim
Krista Joyce says:
HEY – A NEW PIC OF MERRILL – WOW!!!
Back to the topic :o)
~I HEART Market Research~
(I have the IIR sticker on my laptop to prove it)
I’m having a BLAST in MR – still one of the ‘new kids on the block” (2+ yrs) but this industry is hands down the best fit for my skill set and interests.
The variety in sales/management from supplier, to technology, to full service and more is certainly unique compared to any other industry I’ve been in before.
The opportunity to network with super sharp folks that have been doing this in their sleep for several years (all whom I tremendously admire)- coupled with my fresh perspective on the industry/trends has me in some pretty exciting times.
So much to learn/share and knowing that aspect will never become stagnant in this industry is priceless!
Dusten says:
Great article…
I joined marketing research as a recruiter (JRA) at the tender age of 16… not b/c i needed a job but b/c my friend got a job there and It was the cool thing to do then. haha
Irony, that 16 years later… I’m still in Market Research even after going to college for elementary education. 🙂