Madalina Mirigel, our Research Executive has 14+ years of experience in Market Research and Project Management. She's passionate about human thinking and behaviour, patient, and likes mathematics.
If you would like to know what she's planning to do in her next vacation or what her most precious memory is, then keep on reading this interview.
What does working in the market research industry mean to you?
It feeds my curiosity about how the human brain works.
From whom in the market research industry have you learned most in your career?
I’ve learned a lot from many people I’ve met on the way, but one particular manager I had the chance to work with has helped me see things in a more practical way, understand the numbers, and put them into words and colors.
What's the biggest mistake you've ever made in your career?
My biggest mistake was that I did not start to work earlier, while still in university, but only in the last year of my master's program.
What does success mean to you?
In order to be successful, you have to practice what makes you happy and earn enough from it to live a healthy and happy life.
What do you do to move forward in the profession you have chosen?
To stay up to date with the latest industry trends, I gather new information by meeting new people, and I listen to the ideas that I encounter around me.
How would you describe the market research industry in Romania?
I’ve met this great opportunity of working in a young and thus fresh company, but with an awesome drive and vibe, together with specialists that I would not want to compete against.
The market research industry looks quite mature, I would choose the challenges wisely and invest more in the people resource, the way we do here at DataDiggers.
If you were able to meet yourself, at the moment when you first got hired, what advice would you give to your younger self?
That was 15 years ago, after just finishing school. I’d advise myself to keep my promise and question myself about a change in jobs after the first year.
If you were to give advice to one of your former managers, what would that be?
I advise her to reconsider not making friends at work. Perhaps you might find friends for life this close to you.
Why did you choose to work in the market research industry?
I originally chose something different during my college days, but always returned to market research as life threw me back into. I turned out to be happy with my life choices.
What advice would you give to someone starting in the market research industry?
It takes patience and an open mind to explore just about every treasure that a collection of (supposedly) random numbers can hide.
What was your ‘dream career’ when you were little?
A master chef. Perhaps had a low opinion of what my father cooked when it was his turn since I always hoped to cook for him as a young kid.
What do you think is the most important thing in life?
To feel good about your present self, not regret anything from your past, and always feel trustful in the future.
What are you planning to do on your next vacation?
To lay on the beach for 2 full weeks and enjoy the salty air.
What are your dearest memories, some that you always think of with joy?
When I was 14 years old I had the chance to take horseback riding lessons. The rides in the park and forest were precious.
If you could go anywhere in the world, at any time in the past, what would that be and why?
I’d like to witness the fire invention moment.
Can you name one hobby that you really enjoy?
Driving across the countryside, without a specific purpose, in the absence of busy cities.