Breaking Into the Field of Informal STEM Learning Program Evaluation
A zoo educator and group of visitors feed flamingos inside their habitat.
Our last article profiled a month in the life of an informal STEM education program evaluator. In this post, we’ll answer some questions about how to break into the field. I get a lot of questions from students and early career professionals about pathways into the industry. I’ve also had conversations (once over Chicago-style pizza, yum) with mid-career professionals looking to transition to informal STEM learning and/or program evaluation. The following is some advice on what I’ve seen work and strategies you might employ to break into - or transition into - informal STEM learning program evaluation.
How do people find their way into ISE program evaluation roles?
There are two main ways that folks seem to find themselves in ISE program evaluation: (1) by pursuing an academic career in the subject (i.e., obtaining a master’s degree or doctoral degree) then looking for a job, or (2) by finding an entry-level role in informal STEM learning organization and building evaluation skills on the job. Certainly, folks have pursued both tracks (myself included!) as well. Both approaches are valid and valuable strategies.
What should I pursue academically to give myself the best foundation?
If you’re a student still in school or a professional looking to return to school, there are several recommendations I have for coursework that will prepare you for the field. If you plan to focus on STEM learning, a foundation in STEM or STEM education is very helpful. Knowing a bit about a lot of areas in STEM (or knowing a lot about one area) sets you up to deeply understand the programs you’re working with. You’ll also want a foundation in social science research and/or program evaluation. This includes topics like research foundations, research and evaluation design, statistics, data collection methods, conducting literature reviews, and more.
What if I’m looking to consult instead of working for an organization?
If this is the case, I’d recommend picking up all of the above plus basic skills in all things entrepreneurship. Since starting my business seven years ago, I’ve had to learn a little bit about a lot of things, including accounting, budget forecasting, web design, developing contracts, insurance, and taxes for small businesses. This is great for folks who like to learn, but important to keep in mind that you’ll be spending a fair amount of time on things other than the evaluation work itself.
What types of roles and organizations should I look for?
I’d recommend focusing on informal STEM learning organizations. These include museums, zoos and aquariums, nature centers, park systems, makerspaces and fab labs, planetariums, university STEM outreach programs, and botanical gardens, as well as nonprofits that focus on ISE learning. To start, you might look for evaluation assistant roles, data collector roles, or roles in informal STEM learning that have a hand in evaluation, like educator or program coordinator. It’s helpful to have a basis in the work you’re evaluating. I personally found that starting as an educator and program coordinator, then transitioning to evaluation was extremely helpful in giving me a greater understanding of the work.
Where can I find these jobs?
There are a number of professional networks and organizations that promote these types of roles regularly. I’d recommend searching for any organization type and “professional network” to find them (e.g., “makerspace professional network”), but a few of my top picks are the American Alliance of Museums, Visitor Studies Association, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Association of Science and Technology Centers, and the Association for Advancing Participatory Sciences. You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Insights & Opportunities, where we source and share cool ISE and ISE evaluation jobs twice a month. Check out our back issues and consider setting up web alerts for organizations that interest you. If location is important, research ISE organizations in your area, and visit their jobs pages routinely. Often, organizations will look for part-time data collectors seasonally, such as in the summer, which would be a great entry point.
Are there any other ways I can prepare myself?
Being up-to-date with the research on STEM learning in informal contexts will prepare you for discussions with ISE professionals and potential interviewers. It will also help you spot trends in the field (re: funding or direction of the work) and point you to potential job opportunities. Volunteering with organizations you’re excited about can also be a rewarding experience and provide an opportunity for first-hand experience with ISE programs. I recently started as a volunteer with my local park system, and their volunteer newsletter includes opportunities (like jobs!) that may not be publicized elsewhere. Making those initial connections is really helpful. Finally, make sure you talk to people! Asking for informational interviews with people you respect, letting folks know what types of opportunities you’re looking for, and not being afraid to ask for help are all really great strategies.
We hope this information is useful to anyone looking to make their way into ISE program evaluation! It’s a super friendly and collaborative field full of people passionate about making a difference in STEM learning for all. Let us know if this was something you found helpful, and if there is anything you’d like to see us cover in the future!
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