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Roger Bezdek, Management Information Services, Inc.

Hiring Context

Management Information Services, Inc. is a Washington, D.C.-based economic and energy research firm. They employ economists, engineers, and scientists in a number of fields. Most of the firm's current employees have advanced degrees, primarily Ph.D.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Geoscience knowledge and skills

All employees expected to have basic geosciences knowledge and new employees should bring knowledge of all aspects of the energy and environmental industries with them when they are hired. This kind of expertise is necessary in order for employees to provide the level of services that retain current clients and generate new ones.

Other skills and abilities

New employees need to be able to demonstrate strong independent thinking, effective written communication skills and the capability to do high-quality research. Given the nature of their business, there is also a strong need for employees to have well-developed quantitative skills. Complementing the need for written communication skills, employees in this sector need to demonstrate the interpersonal skills to work effectively and professionally with a wide range of clients. They should also have a strong work ethic and a willingness to keep a flexible schedule depending on the needs of their current projects.

Successful employees in consulting tend to be those with a level of self-direction and ambition that allows them to not only deliver on their current responsibilities but also seek out and bring in new clients for the business.

Future Horizon

What do you see as future trends in your workforce?

It is becoming increasingly difficult to find employee candidates with the right mix of qualifications to be successful in the research and consulting sector.

What can higher education do to prepare students for these future trends?

Prepare them for the real world of the 21st century where they will have to make their own success.