How to become a Researcher

How to become a Researcher Enjoy looking for answers? Then look no further; put your natural curiosity to good use and become a Researcher…A Researcher collects information and studies data in their chosen field, which can be used to make informed political, social, and economic decisions.Potential specialisms for a Researcher to move into range from scientific research, such as helping to develop medical products by conducting scientific experiments, to social and even television research, which help inform the nation’s favourite TV shows.Although specific responsibilities vary dependant on industry, general tasks for a Researcher include:Meeting and communicating with clients to discuss project plansUsing electronic databases to collect informationSpotting trends in dataUsing statistical software to manage and organise materialBuilding research proposals and detailed reportsPresenting findings to the client or senior managementIs it right for me?Regardless of the sector you’re involved in, a great amou nt of patience, not to mention a keen eye for detail, are absolutely essential attributes for a Researcher to have.Because of the analytical nature of the role, you must be methodical in the way you carry out tasks and be able to provide valid, proven evidence behind your theories.A good Researcher should also be:Resourceful and creativePersistent and self-confidentProficient in maths and literacyAble to take responsibility for their work and handle working under pressurePassionate about the use of statisticsCareer Progression? Research AssistantUp to 25,000 ResearcherUp to 35,000 Senior ResearcherUp to 50,000What's it really like? As a Scientific Researcher, my main role is to carry out various experiments, which give me a good opportunity to learn new things. Specialising in diseases and how they affect the brain, my job is to examine the damage and present my findings in a coherent format. Although the job can be full-on at times, when you’re really dedicated to an experiment you find yourself looking forward to the outcome, and at that point, all of your hard work becomes worthwhile. It’s also pretty cool to be able to tell people that you’re basically a Scientist. Get qualifiedTo become a Researcher, you will need to have completed a related degree ideally in the field of research you’d like to enter e.g. social sciences, business and economics, or science. There are also various courses available specialising in qualitative and quantitative research which could help you break into the industry.