Career advice needed\question about polls and pollsters

[taught_me_patience]

7. I worked for a market research company at the start of my career

Political polling is a small portion of their total business. Most of the polling you do will be for customer service or government. The size of the company will determine the roles you can play.

Answers to your questions:
1) They like statisticians but will recruit out of all fields if the candidate shows knowledge of statistics
2) Talk to old professors. Many market research guys have deep connections to academia. Professors might be able to arrange a recommendation or a meeting.
3) In larger companies with specific roles, english guys are needed to create surveys and write the final decks for presentation. Jack-of-all-trades are welcome anywhere.

PM me if you have any specific questions I can answer.