Surveyors Delight

I have a weakness for doing surveys.

Back in my poor college years I worked at the OU Poll for a while as one of my side jobs. I did work-study at the Library and the Poll. We would call random people for surveys. They could be about pretty much anything. Once there was a big, high profile, controversial court case taking place in Cleveland County. The OU Poll office was contracted to take a survey on whether people thought the defendant would get a fair trial because it was so publicized and we're a conservative state. Some of the questions I had to ask people would make you cringe (Personal, racist, ridiculous)! But you wouldn't believe some of the responses I received.

It was a very trying job, considering most people do not take part in surveys and this one was a doozy, and very long....

Sadly I was paid minimum wage, so the small incentive on completions was a big deal. Surveyors are people too, and the information is actually very beneficial. How do you think they get those statistics you find so interesting on the political campaign, and how do you think they build the TV schedule you enjoy/don't enjoy?

Now I can't help but feel bad for the person on the other side of the phone, and fill out the TV surveys, etc, that come in the mail. I know those people. They were just like me. Most likely a poor college student just trying to get by.

Why yes, I do have a moment to complete your survey...

\m/