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My Tips for Junior Evaluators - A Career in Evaluation Doesn’t Happen by Itself Tip #1 Embrace the unpredictability of your career journey. Evaluation is a dynamic vibrant ecosystem Just like navigating a bustling jungle, rich in diversity and competition, be open to unexpected opportunities and challenges.  This field thrives on variability and change, making it both exciting and demanding. Most evaluators, when asked, frequently describe their career journeys as serendipitous, where random events and encounters brought them to this professional trajectory. For me personally, the people I met brought the biggest breakthrough in my life. The connections I formed opened doors I never knew existed and provided insights that profoundly shaped my career. Therefore, my advice is to plan to have serendipity moments. This might sound paradoxical, but creating opportunities for unplanned, spontaneous interactions can be incredibly beneficial. A story The person with whom I embarked on my first evaluation project is someone I met in Brussels in my 20s. Back then, both of us were trainees at various European institutions. We instantly connected over our shared passion for public policy and our love for the city.  Anna quickly gravitated toward evaluation consultancy work, diving deep into the intricacies of assessing and improving programs. Meanwhile, I spent years immersed in policy implementation, specifically focusing on rural development within the European Commission. Despite our different paths, we kept in touch, occasionally catching up over coffee or at professional gatherings. Years later, when Anna needed a partner who could bring a unique blend of policy design and evaluation skills to a project, she reached out to me. By this time, I had transitioned into consultancy work, inspired in part by her journey and the impact she was making.  This serendipitous reconnection not only brought us back together but also marked the beginning of a fruitful professional collaboration that significantly shaped my career in evaluation. It was a perfect blend of our complementary skills and experiences, all stemming from that chance meeting in Brussels years before. My advice To succeed in this field, you must leverage your unique background and perspective to stand out in this diverse landscape, to stay curious, adaptable, and proactive. However, remember that serendipitous encounters can lead to some of the most rewarding professional experiences. Embrace the unpredictability, and actively seek out opportunities for these valuable, chance interactions.

How a teacher’s skills can help improve skills for better employment. First, it is important to highlight that teachers have a series of skills that allow them to develop their work properly. According to Indeed.com Spain, some of the most important teaching skills are: Effective communication skills Didactic knowledge of the subject Leadership and group management skills Ability to motivate and generate interest in students Ability to adapt to different learning styles These skills are very valuable and can be transferable to other fields, such as employment. For example, the ability to communicate effectively can be very useful in jobs that require interaction with clients or coworkers. The ability to motivate and generate interest in students can be applied to motivate coworkers to achieve common goals. In addition, teachers also have experience in planning classes, researching and developing didactic materials, explaining and transmitting knowledge, evaluating and correcting students, conducting follow-up tutorials with students and parents, and detecting possible social problems or pathologies in students. These skills can be very useful in the workplace, as they allow the development of a series of competencies that are highly valued by employers. In summary, a teacher’s skills can be very useful for improving skills for better employment. Teachers have a series of skills that allow them to develop their work properly and that can be transferable to other fields, such as employment.

Advancing your higher education career through collaborative research projects can be a rewarding and enriching experience. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to approach it: Identify Your Research Interests. Networking. Collaboration Platforms. Reach Out to Potential Collaborators. Propose a Research Project. Collaborative Grant Applications. Establish Clear Roles and Responsibilities. Effective Communication. Publish and Present Findings.. Reflect and Iterate.

🏆 Former participants of the SLE #Postgraduate Programme report strong success in finding jobs in the field of #developmentcooperation (or related fields), as well as satisfaction in the programme in general. 👩🎓 See what former participant David Pyka had to say about the programme below! 💻 Application is open until the 30th of June. Make sure to submit your application before then; find out more information on our website www.sle-berlin.de. #postgraduatestudies #studies #internationalcooperation #sleberlin

🇨🇿 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝘇𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰! From your first year of study, you can 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝟮𝟬 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 alongside your studies. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable work experience while pursuing your education. Follow for more updates and helpful tips! #CzechRepublic #InternationalStudents #WorkOpportunity #StudyAbroad #StudentLife #applycourses #admissionplatform #studyinczech

𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗔 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲 In partnership with Campus Consultancy and Study Melbourne, Stephanie Balint shares 5 reasons every international should volunteer! If you're interested, read it here on the Stint blog 👉 https://lnkd.in/gxiuUUXa #internationalstudents #internationaleducation #blog #melbourne

4. Participate in Class and Group Work Engage in Class Discussions: Participating in class not only helps you academically but also shows your classmates that you are engaged and approachable. It’s a great way to connect with others who are serious about their studies. Join Study Groups: Study groups are an excellent way to make friends while enhancing your learning. You can share knowledge, ask questions, and support each other academically. 5. Explore Cultural Exchange Opportunities Language Exchange Programs: Many universities offer language exchange programs where you can learn a new language while teaching your native language. It’s a fantastic way to meet people and learn about different cultures. Cultural Events: Attend cultural events and festivals both on and off campus. These events celebrate diversity and offer a great opportunity to meet people from various backgrounds. 6. Volunteer Community Service: Volunteering for community service or campus events is a great way to meet people who are passionate about similar causes. It also helps you give back to the community and feel more connected. Campus Organizations: Many universities have organizations dedicated to various causes, from environmental sustainability to social justice. Joining these groups can help you make friends while working towards a common goal. 7. Be Patient and Persistent Don’t Get Discouraged: Making friends takes time, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t form instant connections. Keep putting yourself out there and stay open to new experiences. Follow Up: If you meet someone you click with, don’t hesitate to follow up. Suggest meeting for coffee, studying together, or attending a campus event. Building a friendship requires effort from both sides. Conclusion Making friends as an international student may seem daunting at first, but with a proactive approach and an open heart, you can build a rewarding social network. Embrace campus activities, utilize social media, be open and approachable, participate in class, explore cultural exchange opportunities, volunteer, and be patient. These steps will not only help you make friends but also enrich your overall experience as an international student. Remember, everyone is looking to make new connections, and your efforts will be appreciated. #wrightway #studyincanada #internationalstudent

Hear from our students in our recent focus group about working whilst studying at university. We asked our group:  What type of work you do and how many hours do you work in a week? What do you spend most of your income on? Did you expect to have to work whilst at university? Do you feel that you are missing out on social events due to work? Would you work more hours if you could? Does your university encourage part-time working? Has your job had a positive or negative impact on your university experience? Watch our clips with their responses: https://lnkd.in/eWC_pcHF Our Youth Forums give you the opportunity to understand your customers better - through our survey to current students and our focus groups we are giving you free research about their attitudes to working whilst studying. Download our newly designed report: https://lnkd.in/ehsyMRu3 Thank you to our partners Dig In, The Crowd Agency and PBSA News   #YouthForum #StudentsandWork #Research

In the early stages of my career in the evaluation field, I hesitated to engage fully in conferences or submit proposals to conferences, underestimating the value of my contributions as a newcomer. I also did not realize that numerous communities existed to help support, mentor, and encourage emerging evaluators to actively participate. Reflecting back, I realize the importance of embracing these platforms for growth and collaboration, and wish I had taken advantage of them! Conferences, journals, and other platforms should not be exclusive arenas for seasoned professionals; they are vital incubators for fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Emerging evaluators bring unique insights and energy that enrich the discourse and drive the field forward. If you are new to the field of evaluation and want to gain more hands-on experience to expand your professional background, consider the following opportunities: ☝🏾First, get connected: Curate your feed. Sign up for newsletters from evaluation associations, their local chapters, or special interest groups (IGs) within those associations. Pro tip: several evaluation associations have IGs dedicated to young and emerging evaluators where you can join a community of like-minded individuals or get connected with a mentor. 👉🏼Pro-Bono Evaluation: Offer to support evaluation projects on a pro-bono or volunteer basis. 👉🏿 Conference Scholarships and Awards: Some conferences offer scholarships or awards specifically for young or emerging evaluators. These can provide financial support to attend conferences or offer recognition for your work. 👉🏽Paper and/or Case Competitions: Some conferences and journals have paper competitions for students or early-career professionals. Others may offer case competitions for emerging evaluators or students of evaluation. Participating in these competitions can be a great way to gain visibility in the field. 👉🏻Networking Events: Attend networking events both in-person and online to meet other professionals in the field. Some evaluation associations host events specifically for young and emerging evaluators. I encourage newcomers to confidently step into these spaces, share your ideas, and actively participate in shaping the future of evaluation. #Evaluation #EmergingEvaluators #ThoughtLeadership #ProfessionalGrowth #Networking #Inclusivity

Last week, we shared about organizations that can help you network and find a job, no matter where you live in Sweden. This week, it’s time to get local, with organizations that support internationals in a specific city or region. 1️⃣ Nema Problema is an organization that seeks to strengthen integration in Sweden. Their mentoring program lasts 8 months, and participants are paired with mentors that have similar education and work experience but who are well established on the Swedish job market. Nema Problema is a great choice for those living in Sweden for less than 7 years and based around the Stockholm area. 2️⃣ Sfx is a Swedish language-learning program targeted specifically at professional fields. The programs combine intensive Swedish language courses with information about how that profession works in Sweden. Sfx is available for those living in Stockholm county and currently offers programs in 9 different professional areas, such as programmers, medical personnel, educators, and social scientists. 3️⃣ Uppsala International Hub is an initiative by the county of Uppsala to attract and welcome internationals, helping them to thrive long-term. They host events and provide information about everything from opening a bank account to finding a job to childcare. 4️⃣ International House Gothenburg is a portal that aims to attract international talent in the Gothenburg region. They offer career advice for professionals at any stage in their careers, they share job opportunities, and they provide guidance on living and studying in West Sweden. 5️⃣ Helsingborg International Connections (HIC) assists the international community in Helsingborg, as well as Ängelholm and Höganäs. HIC provides information about career and education opportunities, in addition to organizing events where internationals can meet and learn more about the life and culture in the region. 6️⃣ International Citizens Hub Lund (ICHL) focuses on helping internationals that live in Southern Sweden. They provide networking and volunteering tips, as well as information about Swedish courses and education opportunities. ICHL also runs a career program for spouses and partners and organizes events designed to encourage participants to start their own businesses in Sweden. The 12 organizations we’ve shared this week and last are great to be familiar with, but we’re pretty sure there’s something we’ve missed! What other organizations are good for newcomers to know about? 👀 #Jobseekers #JobSearch #Sverige