A quantitative researcher by day, a qualitative researcher by night

Recently, I was challenged by my manager on how I can use what I've learned in my academic career and utilize it in the business setting, specifically for our line of business. So, it got me thinking (with a little nudge from my tribe) on what skillsets I've learned in school and if and how I use them at work on a daily basis. Just a brief background on my skillset in academia, specifically for my dissertation research, I use qualitative methodology, BUT we are required to take quantitative courses. Not to mention, I have a background in behavior analysis, which is very quantitative driven. So I'm very familiar with quantitative methodology approaches, however, my dissertation research will be qualitative, which was a whole new world (cue Aladdin and Jasmine singing) to me!

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So for the longest, I couldn't see how what I've learned in school could be applied to what I do at work because of my multiple degrees in psychology. But then, I had a lightbulb moment where it finally clicked, leaving my manager to say "what took you so long?!" When I had quantitative-focused courses, I was definitely focused on what was statistically significant and what wasn't, along with any trends I noticed when doing data analysis of the different data points. I realized I can take that same thought process and apply it in my current full-time role where I normally just build different tools for the business while working with developers and other analysts.

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The moral of the post is, even if you're not in a position that you don't want to be in long-term, think of what you've learned in school and how you can use different principles, methods, and approaches to make that business, department/area, tools and more better. I challenge you to change your thought process like I have.

The moral

of the post is, even if you're not in a position that you don't want to be in long-term, think of what you've learned in school and how you can use different principles, methods, and approaches to make that business, department/area, tools and better. I challenge you to change your thought process as I have.