What the 2025 Global 30 Under 30 teach us about careers, purpose and resilience

Becoming the next generation of insight leaders: how emerging talent found their path, why they believe in this industry and the lessons they learned when things went wrong

The 2025 Global 30 Under 30 cohort reveal a powerful and honest picture of what it really means to build a career in market research, data and insights. Their stories show how people discover this industry in different ways, how curiosity and purpose fuel their commitment to it and how their most difficult moments shaped their resilience and leadership. This is a generation that has grown through challenge, found meaning in their work and now call others to join them.

Careers shaped by curiosity, not a straight line

Across the cohort, few began their studies or early roles intending to work in insights. They arrived here from psychology, business, design, public health, policy, science, sales, engineering and more. What brought them into insights, and what keeps them here, is a shared fascination with understanding people. They describe the moment when curiosity connected with opportunity, when they realised this was a place where they could ask questions, dig into behaviour and explore meaning. Their paths were rarely linear, but they all followed the pull of curiosity. It became their compass, helping them build careers that feel both challenging and purposeful.

Why they believe insights is worth choosing

When asked why someone should consider a career in this industry, their answers are passionate and consistent. First, they highlight the impact. Insights informs decisions that shape products, services, policies and communities. Their work influences everything from global innovation to everyday experiences. Second, they emphasise variety. No two projects feel the same, and no two days look alike. They find energy in switching between audiences, sectors, methods and challenges. Third, they value growth. The industry stretches both emotional intelligence and analytical skill. It develops hybrid thinkers who are equipped for the future. Finally, they speak about the community. Insights is collaborative, supportive and intellectually generous. For many, it is the first time they have felt professionally understood.

Setbacks that shaped who they are now

Behind every achievement in the cohort is a moment when something went wrong. A project fell apart, confidence broke, a plan collapsed or a communication misstep caused tension. These were not moments they celebrate, but they are moments they remember. They learned resilience by navigating uncertainty. They learned adaptability when roles changed suddenly. They learned humility by asking for help. They learned empathy through difficult interactions. And they learned confidence by rebuilding it piece by piece after setbacks. These experiences did not derail their careers, they defined them. They became the moments that transformed potential into capability.

The role of vulnerability in professional growth

A powerful theme is the courage to say “I don’t know yet.” The honourees learned early that pretending to know everything creates more problems than it solves. Vulnerability helped them form stronger relationships, access support and accelerate their growth. By being open about uncertainty, they gained trust and built deeper expertise. This mindset now shapes how they lead and how they support others.

How discomfort sparked new direction

For some, setbacks redirected them into paths they had not considered but now cannot imagine leaving. A difficult project led them to behavioural science. A challenging client pushed them into strategy. A confidence shock moved them toward UX. A role change opened the door to cultural insight or analytics. Discomfort revealed passions they would not have found otherwise.

Leadership shaped by emotional intelligence

These young leaders now carry forward a leadership style shaped by challenge. They value listening, clarity and empathy. They help others feel safe to ask questions and seek support. They know the weight of pressure and the importance of compassion. Their leadership is human first, because their growth was human shaped.

Lessons for the next generation

Their reflections offer clear guidance for those entering the industry.
Be curious, it will guide your path even when the direction is unclear.
Be open, vulnerability accelerates learning.
Be adaptable, your best opportunities may emerge from disruption.
Be brave, discomfort is often a sign that growth is happening.
Be reflective, mistakes become wisdom when you learn from them.
Be community minded, the people around you shape your success as much as your skills do.

Closing, a profession built for people who want to understand and grow

The 2025 Global 30 Under 30 show that insights is a career for thinkers, observers, connectors and explorers. It is a field for people who want to understand the world and help shape it. Their stories prove that challenges do not weaken a career, they strengthen it. Curiosity, purpose and resilience are the qualities that define tomorrow’s leaders. And if these honourees are any indication, the future of the insights industry is bright, human centred and full of possibility.