Kelly Hall

What do you do as an Innovation Demand Analyst?

At Nielsen, I provide actionable consumer insights to a variety of Consumer Packaged Goods industry clients to maximize the potential of new products.

Why did you choose to major in Psychology and how has that affected your career thus far?
I’ve always been greatly interested in human behavior, and studying Psychology seemed to be the best way to explore the reasons why people act the way they do. I found Psychology to be highly applicable to all parts of life, from work to friendship.

What was your career path like? 

Like many freshmen, I entered college with no idea what I wanted to do. I knew I had two main interests, writing and marketing, so I explored those through extracurricular organizations and class.

I was a senior editor and sports writer for The Michigan Daily, which helped me grow into a better communicator. While there, I learned that I loved to write stories about others. I also participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and helped conduct marketing research in the business school.

After junior year, I interned as a marketing and merchandising intern at Meijer headquarters in Grand Rapids, and realized my interest in consumer behavior. I used Nielsen data to help improve marketing strategies at Meijer, which is what led me to Nielsen at the Fall Career Expo my senior year. Lucky for me, things worked out, and now I help our clients develop new products and brands while providing consumer insights.

What advice do you have both professionally and personally for students and recent alumni who are interested in pursuing a career similar to yours?

My main piece of advice to current students is to get engaged and join any organization on campus that you might be interested in. I learned through trial and error what I enjoyed, and while I learned a great deal from my Psychology education, I learned just as much through the people who surrounded me in class, at the Daily, and in other clubs. Also, there are plentiful career resources on campus, from the Psychology department to the LSA Opportunity Hub. Even if you’re unsure of what you want to do in the future, there are people whose main job is to help you figure that out. Take advantage of them! 

What is the best career advice that you have received?

Ask questions. It’s not very original, but that’s because it’s so vital. You’ll never find out if something is truly for you unless you try new things and ask questions as you go. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there by asking tough questions. It will not only help you find what’s right for you, but it will likely impress the person you’re questioning as well.

Why do you love Michigan?

At Michigan, I always felt inspired by the knowledge of the people around me. Many of my professors helped contribute to groundbreaking research in social and organizational psychology as well as in marketing, but they still made themselves very accessible to students like me. On a personal level, my peers became some of my best friends, and I can only hope they’ll be lifelong friends. Memories of the Big House and Crisler and the Student Publications Building make up some of my favorite moments. The University opened up so many doors to me, and I’ll always be grateful that I grew up in a state with such an incredible public university.