Employees Tag

09 Nov

Posted at 11:01h in Education, Get to Know Us

Education shapes our work and how we view the world. In this blog, Fluent Research team members share some important lessons from their school experiences and offer advice for today’s students. Their reflections highlight the power of curiosity, resilience, and embracing new opportunities. Read below to discover how their academic journeys continue to inspire their professional lives.

Charlotte Beatty – User Experience Researcher 

• Boston University – B.A. Social Anthropology

• Johns Hopkins University – M.B.A. Business Administration

• Maryland Institute College of Art – M.A. Design

What are some lessons or experiences from your time in school that have shaped who you are and how you work today?

Studying anthropology was one of the best decisions I ever made as an undergraduate student. The contemporary school of anthropology exists at the intersection of many other disciplines, namely environmentalism, history, psychology and sociology, and provides useful frameworks for understanding and interpreting the world and culture around us. One of my favorite things about the field is how it both honors and builds off of established theory and frameworks, and also embraces the importance of considering new perspectives, iterating, and creating new frameworks in the world of social science.

These days, I am most excited and inspired by the emerging school of ecological anthropology, led by legends like Anna Tsing, Marisol de la Cadena, and other grassroots environmental activists and researchers. Anthropology inherently questions how and why we build the structures that we build, and embraces critique, plurality, and empathetic investigation as essential tools. Anthropology also deeply centers humans and human experiences by using first person experiences, a wide array of narrative analysis, artistic expressions, design, and plural histories to holistically understand experiences and cultural phenomenon. The field’s ability to embrace the range of human experiences and employ multiple ways of looking at a phenomena are essential in my everyday work as a researcher, and remind m to stay open minded, flexible, and curious in my work.

If you could give one piece of advice to students today, what would it be?

Take as many social science classes as you can, and look for ways you can learn outside of the classroom, whether that is through podcasts, movies, activism, community involvement, or artistic practice. Everything is connected!

Allison Caplovitz – Director of Content Research and Evaluation  

• Cornell University – B.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences

• A semester in Bath, England under the tutelage of Oxford University

• The University of Texas at Austin – M.A, Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Sciences

What are some lessons or experiences from your time in school that have shaped who you are and how you work today?

In order to gain the most out of work, be organized and strategic so that you don’t get overwhelmed and can retain the most out of the knowledge you are gaining,

If you could give one piece of advice to students today, what would it be?

Find something you are passionate about because when you like something it doesn’t feel like work!

Stefanie Cousins – Vice President of Marketing and Communications 

• Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT – B.A. in English and Italian, minor in Art History

• Middlebury College, Florence, Italy – Junior Year Abroad

• UNC-Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health – MPH in Program Development and Leadership

What are some lessons or experiences from your time in school that have shaped who you are and how you work today?

In undergrad, I studied English literature, nonfiction creative writing, and Italian. Beyond my classroom experiences on campus, however, I took advantage of so many opportunities to augment the typical four-year college experience. To build upon my interest in writing and film,  I spent the month of January in my sophomore year working for a film company in New York City and I attended the Breadloaf Writers Conference for nonfiction writing the summer after my senior year. To  improve my proficiency in speaking and writing in Italian, I attended an intensive summer language program at Middlebury and studied in Florence, Italy through Middlebury’s program during my junior year.  These experiences expanded my world and transformed my perspective.   

If you could give one piece of advice to students today, what would it be?

Keep an open mind, try new things, and don’t worry so much about grades as much as what you get out of your courses and the relationships you have with professors mentors, and friends.

Mary Meyn – Research Director and Chief of Staff

• Binghamton University – B.A. in Philosophy, Politics, and Law

• Rutgers University, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy – M.A. in Public Affairs and Politics

What are some lessons or experiences from your time in school that have shaped who you are and how you work today?

We have so much to learn from one another. Students and professors in both my undergraduate and graduate programs had a wide range of perspectives. While I was in school, I loved discussing topics with my classmates and looked forward to hearing what they had to say. Now, my work provides me the opportunity to hear the voices and opinions of people around the world on a wide range of topics, whether it’s qualitative or quantitative insights, and I never lose sight of what a gift it is that people share their thoughts and ideas with me.

If you could give one piece of advice to students today, what would it be?

Take a variety of classes and look for the value in them even when they don’t seem directly relevant to your career.

Kelly Sheehan – Senior User Experience Researcher

• Providence College – B.A. in Psychology

• Northwestern University – M.S., Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology

What are some lessons or experiences from your time in school that have shaped who you are and how you work today?

In undergrad, I was considering taking a year off before applying to grad school. My undergraduate advisor told me, “If you’re not going to apply this year because you don’t think you’ll get in, then you’re wrong.” She taught me to not doubt myself and to go after what I really want. In graduate school, my advisor would always share this quote with first-year PhD students, “A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it, it just blooms.” It’s so easy to look at others and feel bad that you’re not doing as well or have not accomplished as much, but we’re all on our own journeys, and success now does not ensure success down the line (or vice versa). All you can do is do your best work and trust in the process!

If you could give one piece of advice to students today, what would it be?

When considering a career or learning area of focus, find something that you not only love but also feel motivated to get better at. You never stop learning, so finding something that you’re inherently interested in will allow continued growth and success down the line!

27 Aug

Posted at 16:14h in Get to Know Us, Quantitative Research

We’re so happy to have Quantitative Researcher Mona El-Hout on the Fluent team! With a diverse background in psychology, statistics, and research design, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. In this interview, we learn about Mona’s journey from academia to the world of quantitative research and the challenges she faced along the way.

1) Tell us a bit about your career journey. What inspired you to become a quantitative researcher? How did you navigate your path to Fluent Research?

My journey started the way most students begin their undergraduate degrees — with no clue what I wanted to do in the future. I took a wide variety of courses over the first couple of years and worked in different research labs through a work-study program. During this time I realized that the classes and research I found most engaging and interesting were all happening in the Psychology Department.

I went on to earn my M.S. in Health Psychology and my PhD in Social Psychology with the intention of one day becoming a professor. I spent two years as a Research Scientist at the University of Washington, where I conducted research on stereotypes, discrimination, and labor market outcomes. I also taught leadership and DEI courses to burgeoning engineers. As much as I enjoyed my time in that position, I realized that my skills, interests, and work-life balance desires were better suited to an industry position.

After a few months of reworking my resume, partaking in informational interviews, making connections with peers and recruiters, and putting my name out there, I landed my first industry position as a Quantitative Researcher with the Reliability User Research team at Apple. My time there was invaluable. It gave me my first taste of the world outside of academia. However, I knew that I wanted to be in a field that would allow me to experience and learn about diverse sectors and work on unique projects.

I began to seek out opportunities in market research. When I got the job alert for a Quantitative Researcher position at Fluent, I knew immediately that this was the job I had been looking for. I connected with our Founder and President Nellie Gregorian on LinkedIn after cold-applying for the position, and the rest is history. I genuinely could not be more thrilled to be one of the newest members of this incredibly intelligent, supportive, and hardworking team.

2) What’s a unique challenge you’ve faced in your career as a quantitative researcher and how did you overcome it?

There were two main challenges I had to overcome on my path to becoming a quantitative researcher. First, I had spent nearly a decade studying and working with the sole intention of one day becoming a professor. Choosing to switch gears away from academia took a lot of time, mental energy, and pros-and-cons lists. It felt like an identity crisis and a huge decision to make after what felt like a sunk-cost experience in the last decade of my life. Once I made the decision, though, I felt extremely relieved and I was able to focus on my new path forward.

What I didn’t anticipate was the next major challenge on my journey: the extremely tough job market I was entering that only got tougher as the years went by. Major layoffs were happening at massive and impressive tech companies, filling the job market with thousands of experienced individuals. Getting noticed in such a crowded market felt nearly impossible. Nevertheless, I knew that my time would come if I kept applying for jobs, making personal connections, and showcasing my skills, passion, and commitment to excellence.

3) With your extensive background in psychology, statistics, and research design, what advice do you have for those looking to pursue a career in quantitative research?

My first piece of advice is to acquire the necessary skills for a career in quantitative research. This could be through higher education courses focused on research design, methods, statistics, etc. It could also be through free or low-cost self-paced online courses, certificate programs, or even free websites and YouTube videos with tons of helpful tutorials and examples. There are a multitude of ways to learn quantitative research skills right at our fingertips. Take advantage of whatever opportunities are available to you to learn what you need to get your foot in the door.

My second piece of advice is not to give up when it starts feeling impossible and to think more broadly about companies and positions that would benefit from the skillset researchers offer. Coming out of academia, the only non-academic career path I ever heard about was UX Research, so that’s what I looked for when I began my job search. But there are so many ways to apply research skills across different industries, and a multitude of job titles other than UX Researcher that conduct impactful research and utilize the same skillset. Do your research (it’s what we’re good at, after all) and figure out what keywords to look for on your job search that will land you the career you want. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to others for help along the way.

4) What’s your go-to hobby or activity outside of work that brings you joy?

I like to consider myself a dabbler in a lot of hobbies. I love to read or listen to audiobooks. I picked up painting during the pandemic. I used to do a lot of hiking when I lived in the Pacific Northwest. Lately, I’ve been really enjoying baking and experimenting in the kitchen. My favorite thing to do, though, is to travel with my husband, exploring new countries and cities. With the right person, even a coffee shop down the road that we have yet to try or a trip to the grocery store can be fun.

5) What are you most excited about in your new role at Fluent Research?

The work that Fluent has done and continues to do is so impactful, both to our clients and their users. A great portion of our work directly benefits families, children, and their collective wellbeing. The Fluent team is also extremely supportive of professional growth and learning opportunities, which is one of the things that attracted me to this position. It’s wonderful to be a part of a firm that cares about its clients, users, and team members. I am excited to dive into a wide variety of projects all the while learning from my talented colleagues!

Connect with Mona on LinkedIn!

16 Oct

Posted at 21:01h in Employee News, Get to Know Us

Welcome to Fluent Research’s special Boss’s Day celebration! We couldn’t resist the opportunity to reflect on what makes our boss, Nellie Gregorian, unique. Join us as we share our favorite things about working with Nellie — it’s a refreshing reminder that a kind leader creates an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and ready to give their best.

Lia Abrams, User Experience Researcher

Nellie is such a joy to work with! She is an inspiration to me as a woman who is confident, personable, has an entrepreneurial spirit, and yet encourages us to enjoy the little things in life. I love seeing her in the office and catching up about our lives. She has an abundance of knowledge and wisdom and I have learned so much from her.

Charlotte Beatty, User Experience Researcher

Nellie is creative, positive, and knows how to make work fun!

Farrah Brensinger, Senior User Experience Researcher

Nellie believes that everyone has something important to bring to the table. Despite leveraging our strengths, she makes sure to provide opportunities that stretch us. I love that Nellie is intentional about hearing from each team member on a regular basis, whether in a small 1:1 meeting or in a larger group setting. Her leadership helps me hone the things I already do well, and challenges me to develop skills in other areas.

Allison Caplovitz, Director, Content Research & Evaluation

Nellie is a smart, fearless leader who trusts the work of others. She values professional development and roots for everyone to succeed. AND, she knows how to have a good time!

Stefanie Cousins, Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Nellie has a leadership style that encourages the people who work for her to grow, develop, and become even better versions of themselves. She respects her staff and sees everyone’s potential. Nellie cares about our wellbeing and wants to make sure we are finding balance in our lives. Yes, she is a fantastic boss!

Heath Cozens, Director, Productions

The genuine care she has for the staff! And her hilariously black sense of humor 🙂

Tom Fuller, Vice President, Business Development

Nellie’s the best boss I have ever had. She’s fair and generous and works very hard.

Evelin Garcia, User Experience Researcher

I really enjoy working with Nellie. She actually cares about us as people and not just employees. She’s always asking how we are doing, encouraging us to take care of ourselves, and supporting our professional and personal growth. I think Nellie really prioritizes our wellbeing, which is really refreshing and hard to find in many professional spaces.







Sofia Polo, Director, Research Strategy




She has very chill vibes and believes in all her employees!


Amy Warren, Senior Child Development Researcher 


Nellie embodies the values that guide Fluent’s work and empowers us to do the same. Wellbeing, innovation, equity, and access are not just missions we advance, but are woven into the culture of Fluent, into the way we work, the way we relate to one another and to our clients, the way we evolve as a company. That is integrity in its highest form. That is Nellie.






Dan Warren, Director, Youth Development & Education


Nellie has taught me to be open to and listen for helpful advice, even when it stings a bit.




 



                                                    

                                
                            

                        					

				

			

		

		

                    		

			

									

						
					

								

					

						
04 Feb 

						

							Posted at 18:10h
							in Market Research, Meditations                            																														
													

						
As I reflect on my first year working at Fluent Research, I am grateful for the valuable lessons I have learned from my colleagues who work in market research. Their expertise and experience have given me a new perspective on the industry and helped me grow as a marketer. Here are some of the key things I have learned from my market research colleagues in my first year in marketing.


1. Understanding the customer


My colleagues in market research have taught me that the key to successful marketing is understanding the customer. They have shown me that the customer is not just a demographic, but a unique individual with unique needs, wants, and motivations. To truly understand the customer, it is essential to go beyond simple data analysis and dive into their experiences, emotions, and behaviors.


2. The power of data


Data is the backbone of market research, and my colleagues have taught me the importance of using data to inform marketing decisions. They have shown me that the key to unlocking the power of data is to approach it with a critical eye, asking questions and looking for patterns and relationships that can inform decision-making.


3. The importance of collaboration


Day in and day out, I see my colleagues working together as if marketing research were a team sport. They have shown me that the best insights and recommendations come from working with others and combining different perspectives and skill sets. Whether it’s working with designers, product managers, or other researchers, collaboration is essential for producing high-quality research that leads to actionable insights.


4. The need for creativity


Market research is not just about gathering data, but also about interpreting it in a meaningful and compelling way. My colleagues have taught me the importance of presenting findings and recommendations in a way that resonates with stakeholders, using creative and visually engaging methods.


5. The importance of staying current


The market research industry is constantly changing, and staying current with new techniques and technologies is essential for success. My market research colleagues have taught me the importance of attending conferences, reading industry publications, and engaging with other researchers to stay up-to-date and continuously improve my skills.


My first year as a marketer in the market research industry has been a journey of learning and growth, thanks in part to the valuable lessons I have learned from my colleagues. Their expertise and experience have given me a new perspective on the industry and helped me grow as a marketer. I am eager to continue learning and collaborating with my colleagues in market research, and I am confident that the next year will bring even more exciting opportunities and insights.


By Stefanie Cousins.

                                                    

                                
                            

                        					

				

			

		

		

                    		

			

									

						
					

								

					

						
10 Jan 

						

							Posted at 17:48h
							in Employee News                            																														
													

						
January 10, 2022 (New York, NY) – Fluent Research, a data and insights-driven strategic consulting firm, announced today that Sofia Polo has been promoted to Senior Research Strategist. In this role, Sofia will oversee a wide range of global research studies, informing the development of products and programs that benefit children, youth, and families.


“Sofia has been an invaluable asset to our team, and her promotion acknowledges her contribution to our success and continuing growth,” said Nellie Gregorian, Founder and President of Fluent Research. “After her exceptional work on topics ranging from early childhood education to mental health and emotional well-being of children and teens to technology innovations, Sofia is well poised to effectively work with our leadership on shaping our research agenda in a rapidly changing environment.”


Sofia joined Fluent Research in April 2019 in the role of Research Strategist. She has a strong interest in leveraging research to promote education, health and mental health of children, youth, and families. A native Spanish speaker, Sofia is committed to amplifying the voices of the Latinx communities and advocating an equitable approach to research practices.


Prior to joining Fluent, Sofia worked as a health research training consultant at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Urban Environmental Policy from Occidental College, and her Master of Public Health in Sociomedical Sciences from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.


About Fluent Research

Fluent Research is a data and insights-driven strategic consulting firm. Since 2006 Fluent has leveraged understanding of human behavior to help the world’s best-known brands and organizations advance worthy causes, innovate transformational products, and successfully navigate change. Fluent’s work centers around three practice areas: thought leadership research, formative research and evaluation, and social impact assessment. Fluent has applied rigorous and innovative research solutions in service of promoting children’s access to and quality of education, and gender equality in the U.S. and in over 70 countries around the world. Fluent’s creative arm, Fluent Productions, is an award-winning producer of original documentary content that harnesses the power of visual storytelling to bring attention to important issues facing our society, to build empathy and inspire action.


Contact: Stefanie Cousins

[email protected]