“With a background in anthropology, I wanted to apply my research skills to real-world work. IDR has given me the ownership and variety to grow quickly, take on new challenges and learn from people across different industries and backgrounds.”

I studied anthropology, which is very research-focused, and I really wanted a role where I could apply those skills to real-world projects. IDR felt like the perfect place to put my research abilities into action rather than just keeping them in an academic context. I was also attracted by the exposure the role offers – working across different industries and people globally. It felt like a place where I could learn quickly, contribute meaningfully and see the impact of my work on client projects.

I joined IDR as an analyst and have since been promoted to senior analyst. In my early days, I mainly focused on some tasks that supported a client project. Now I have much more ownership: I oversee entire projects, from start to finish and I deal directly with clients. I’m also training two new team members, which has helped me develop my people-management skills. Overall, the scope and responsibility of my work has expanded significantly.

I would say it’s been my early promotion to senior analyst. In terms of projects, I’m especially proud of a medical project where we had to source experts in Finland. It was a very challenging brief that others struggled to complete, but I was able to deliver on time. I used a mix of techniques: translating my outreach into the local language, sending tailored connection requests, and using multiple outreach channels depending on what I thought would be most effective. Seeing the project through from a difficult start to a successful finish was a huge accomplishment.

My favorite part is the chance to always learn. No two projects are the same, so I’m always exposed to new industries and client briefs; it keeps the work really interesting. On top of that, the team culture makes a big difference. I have developed some close friendships here, and that support system makes work enjoyable. We learn from each other, have fun and still deliver to a high standard. The combination of learning and having a genuinely supportive and friendly team is what I value most.

I’d definitely encourage them to give it a shot, especially if they’re curious, love learning and enjoy figuring things out. At IDR, you get a lot of ownership from day one, with exposure to different industries and the opportunity to connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds while recruiting experts. There are plenty of opportunities to take on new challenges and grow, especially if you’re willing to put yourself out there.