My Research Journey: 5 Lessons I’ve Learned

Making the leap into qualitative research opened my eyes to a field that's both challenging and deeply rewarding.

The biggest lesson? Being adaptable is everything. Interviews take unexpected turns, insights emerge from surprising places, and timelines shift. Learning to flow with these changes while maintaining quality work is both the challenge and the joy of what we do.

Here's what I've learned along the way:

1. Stay curious. Don’t struggle in silence! Ask the question. Often, the most valuable insights come from diving a little deeper into something that catches your attention.

2. Embrace feedback. It’s not criticism – it's how you level up. Seek it out and use it to improve.

3. Build real connections. Market research is fundamentally about understanding people, and that includes your colleagues. The stronger your relationships with your team and clients the richer your work becomes.

4. Find your rhythm. Give yourself time to find what works for you – everyone develops their own way of staying organized and energized, while adjusting to new routines and demands.

5. Trust the process. Even when projects feel complex, remember you have solid training and colleagues to lean on. Some of my proudest moments came from projects that initially seemed daunting.

These lessons continue to shape my journey and I hope they resonate with others. What’s a lesson that’s shaped your career?