Getting that first job in any industry requires preparation, homework, networking, and soul-searching. This transition can be exciting and challenging and often involves adapting to the practical aspects of applying your academic knowledge in a real-world setting.

Reflecting on my time as an emerging evaluator during my internship at Southern Hemisphere over the last year, I have learned that success in monitoring, evaluation and learning in the Development sector requires a skill set beyond academic requirements.

As a graduate entering this dynamic sector, you need varied abilities to survive in the complex and high-pressure landscape.

My Experience as an Emerging Evaluator

As social science graduates, we often wonder which sectors we will find our niche in. The interdisciplinary nature of my education has equipped me with a holistic perspective, allowing me to analyse complex societal issues and communicate effectively. As I explored various career paths and was eager to contribute my unique insights to research, policy analysis, or public engagement initiatives, I found myself in the M&E/Development sector.

I have had the privilege of working on national and global evaluations, each requiring a different approach. For instance, working with national organisations has been easy and accessible. This is due to our time zones being the same and having a cultural and contextual understanding of the country.

However, working with global organisations requires you to know the country’s context, such as language, and check time zones when setting up interviews to ensure you are not waking up participants at dawn or at the close of business.

But, what is similar for national and global evaluations is that one needs patience because some participants and key stakeholders don’t answer emails and project communications from the word go. Therefore, you must find innovative ways to contact them and ensure you engage the right people in your evaluation process.

So, one of the most important skills EEs need to have is:

Know when to ask for help, there is no such thing as a silly question.

As people, we learn in different ways and at different speeds. Ask your project manager or co-workers if you need more clarification. Have a can-do approach, and demonstrate your willingness to learn while knowing when your capacity is overstretched.

While the journey to finding the perfect fit may be uncertain, I am enthusiastic about leveraging the diverse skill set I have learned in the sector to continue making a meaningful impact in social sciences and humanities.

The Skills I Have Developed

This has been a fascinating, learning-filled journey. Since joining Southern Hemisphere, I have improved my:

  • Qualitative thematic analysis skills
  • Project coordination (setting up work plans & interview schedules)
  • Overall stakeholder communication skills

My Project Management Skills

I have improved my proficiency using Asana, Zoom, Google Sheets/forms and Read AI. Becoming proficient with these tools has ensured I stick to the work plan schedule dates.

Transitioning My Writing from Academic to Professional

My most valuable learning experience has been transitioning my writing from academic to professional. We all know how academic jargon can be a tongue twister and sometimes requires you to use Google to find a simple synonym. Writing report sections for projects I have worked on during my tenure has taught me to go back to basics, which is:

Simple sentences are okay.

My Soft Skills

Soft skills also play a significant role in building effective relationships, communicating findings, and navigating the complexities of development work. I have learned that each project manager and team has a different working and leadership style. Because of this, one’s ability to adapt to new information, shifting priorities, and evolving contexts is critical.

Building Positive Relationships is Vital

Building positive relationships with team members is critical. Your ability to interact respectfully, listen actively, and collaborate with various individuals and groups contributes to the team’s success and yours.

These soft skills complement your technical expertise and contribute to your effectiveness as an emerging evaluator in the monitoring and evaluation or development sector. Refining and building upon these skills will further enhance your ability to positively impact this dynamic and essential field.

To Aspiring Emerging Evaluators:

  • Adopt a mindset of constant learning by attending workshops, webinars, and training sessions.
  • Keep up to date on the newest trends in international development and M&E.
  • Show your versatility by successfully handling various projects and always ask for help if needed.
  • Your soft skills complement your technical expertise and contribute to your overall effectiveness as an emerging evaluator in the monitoring and evaluation or development sector — so make sure to expand them!

In Summary

Remember that reflection is a valuable tool for continuous improvement. By regularly reflecting on your experiences, you can identify areas for growth, celebrate successes, and refine your approach to become a more effective and impactful emerging evaluator in the industry.

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