30Under30 Honouree: Rebecca Strangio

Great to hear from Significant Insights Global 30 under 30 honouree Rebecca Strangio, who you’ll never find without an iced caramel macchiato in her hand every morning. Client Solutions Manager who strives to encourage positivity & optimism amongst her team and deliver the highest quality data & services to her clients.

So, how did you get into the industry, and take us through how you got to this point?

During grad school, I took a course called ‘Data & Decision Making,’ which was my first real introduction to research and sparked an interest. It opened the door to an industry I hadn’t initially considered. Like many in Market Research, my path here wasn’t entirely planned, but it’s been incredibly rewarding.

My first role was on the operational side of a recruitment platform, which was a great learning experience. But I always knew I wanted something more client-facing, where I could directly influence outcomes and make a bigger impact. That desire brought me to Emporia Research, where every day is dynamic, challenging, and full of opportunities to learn & grow.

Why should anyone consider a career in market research, data and insights?

A career in market research, data, and insights is like being the brains behind the operation—discovering what people think, feel, and want and then turning that into action. It’s where curiosity meets strategy, and data meets storytelling. 

Every time that I see a new commercial or billboard, I always think about whether they did any brand awareness or perception testing before giving the green light. What insights did they gather from their clients or customers to learn what the brand lacked or already had an abundance of? Did they survey or interview folks? What are they trying to make viewers feel or perhaps change the way viewers feel? If you want to be impactful in so many different ways, this industry is the place for you. 

Career paths are rarely without challenges. Can you share an honest moment from your career when things didn’t go quite according to plan, but the lessons remain with you to this day?

Absolutely. Early in my career, I was working on a project where I underestimated the complexity of the client’s needs and overpromised on a timeline. Things quickly became challenging when unexpected obstacles arose, & I realized I hadn’t accounted for enough buffer time or set clear enough expectations upfront. It was stressful, but it taught & reminded me of two valuable lessons: the importance of transparent communication and the power of saying ‘no’ or ‘not yet’ when necessary. Now, I make sure to fully understand the scope of a project and align expectations early on.

What two things should junior researchers focus on as they progress in their careers?

First, master the art of asking great questions— it’s the “Why” behind every statement or response that matters. Whether you’re collaborating on a survey design, conducting an interview, or analyzing the results of a quantitative survey. The ability to dig deeper and challenge surface-level assumptions is what sets researchers apart. Learn to ask the questions that make people pause and think, & you’ll uncover insights that truly matter.

Second, developing & honing in on your communication skills. It’s really applicable to every industry or job. Strong communication skills help you present your findings clearly, connect with clients or stakeholders, and collaborate effectively with your team. 

Do you have any advice for our sector?

Quality over quantity! Quality matters. As we all know, fraud is huge in Market Research. People are willing to go to extreme lengths to pass a survey (we see you, survey imposters). This is why tools like Emporia’s LinkedIn Verification are absolute game-changers.

And let’s talk about the rise of qualitative research. Sure, I might be biased (Qual is totally my jam!), but it’s not just me—more and more of our clients are embracing the ‘less is more’ approach. Whether it’s a startup interviewing 10 key customers or a big brand diving deep with IT decision-makers, these thoughtful, in-depth conversations have the power to deliver richer, more intuitive insights. Don’t get me wrong, there’s undoubtedly a time & place for quantitative methods; there’s just something magical about qualitative interviews—they bring out insights you just can’t get any other way. It’s like peeling back the curtain to find the why behind the data. 

And do you have anyone who has helped your career so far that you’d like to acknowledge and say thanks or give a shout-out to?

I’ve been so lucky to have so many impactful mentors throughout my career. I do have to say that the 3 most impactful have been Michael Hess, Jake Roeland, & Mark Hannan. During my two years at Emporia, these 3 didn’t just show me the basics—they equipped me with the skills and knowledge to overcome challenges & obstacles, make informed decisions, and grow both personally and professionally. Last but not least, conquer the Excel formulas that are practically a second language (looking at you, VLOOKUP). I’m so grateful that they believed in me & gave me the opportunity!

I really wouldn’t be where I am today without my entire team at Emporia! Truly the dream team!