Market Research

If Market Research is a career you want to pursue, then consider checking out MRA- The Management Association, a small market research firm. Eric Nuelk, a former Creative Marketing Unlimited president, is a Survey/Research Systems Analyst at MRA and has offered some of his insights on his current job and advice for students.

Eric chose market research because it blends his creative and analytical side. When he was with CMU, he began to look at how research was conducted and how to draw conclusions on findings from that research. After he graduated, he got an internship at Colony Brands in the housefile/ circulation department. After that position, he got a job at the small research firm as a programmer and now he is an analyst. He thinks the process of learning how to conduct research and pushing himself to be more analytical has allowed him to succeed in his positions. CMU helped lay the groundwork for his future success in the professional environment.

MRA-The Management Association is a non-profit trade association (501(c)6). It was founded in 1901 by 23 business leaders who were convinced of the advantages of a united approach to problem solving. By pooling information, exchanging ideas, and conducting educational programs and meetings in a voluntary association, employers recognize mutual problems and find ways to resolve or avoid these problems.

Eric’s position's primary responsibility is to collect and compile compensation information from member companies through a variety of surveys they host throughout the year. A secondary focus of his role is to work towards improving data collection processes and standardize data cleaning procedures. Finally, they conduct additional “custom” research for companies on an as requested basis.  His department publishes compensation reports for the Midwest and has reports on many positions including:

• Industrial
• Production Trades
• Managerial
• Office Clerical Technical
• IT & Engineering
• Sales

http://www.mranet.org/Pay-Benefits/Surveys/Learn-About-Surveys - You can learn more about his department here.

Some Important Advice From Eric:

Learn the basics. You need to learn how sounds research is conducted. This is groundwork for more advanced analysis and pushing forward with your career. Also, don’t be afraid to fail. Sometimes making a mistake can set you back, but it shouldn’t discourage you. Also remember, Everyone views things differently and this is a good thing. Differing views can help get you to the best solution for a problem. And the most important thing you need to remember is to have fun!