Different options and ideas about careers in evaluation
All career pathways are valuable and can offer rewarding careers. The specific aspects of a career in evaluation that you choose should be based on your specific interests, values, and circumstances. However, it's worth noting that, despite recognition for the diversity within the field of evaluation, individuals have different opinions and preferences for what a career in evaluation should look like. This section covers some of the different opinions you may encounter when asking for feedback throughout your career. While it can be useful to be aware of these differences in opinion, remember that they are only opinions. In practice, there's a lot more nuance and flexibility between one position and the other.
Should you become an internal or an external evaluator?
Internal evaluators are staff members within an organization that are already familiarized with the context of the initiatives they evaluate. Internal evaluators can leverage their pre-established trust with evaluation actors and their awareness to use appropriate methods that will meet their needs. In this way, they can conduct robust and valid evaluations. They can also follow-up with teams to promote the use of evaluation findings and support evaluation capacity building. Because they work within a specific organization, internal evaluators can develop content expertise through their job that can benefit their evaluation practice.
External evaluators need to build-in time for relationship building and learning the context, which can create inefficiencies. Moreover, their time-limited involvement limits their ability to follow-up on evaluation recommendations.In contrast, external evaluators are hired by organizations to conduct evaluations from a third-party perspective. External evaluators are often involved in projects across several sectors, as such they often have experience with a wide range of contexts and can be highly adaptable.
Some people hold the opinion that internal evaluators can sometimes be biased or have an agenda that can reduce an evaluation’s credibility because they are not independent and distanced from what they are evaluating. In contrast, external evaluators are often viewed as more objective and as bringing a higher level of expertise to organizations. The reality is a lot more complex than this simple distinction. Both internal and external evaluators bring valuable strengths and face unique challenges. While there are sometimes political reasons for choosing an internal or external evaluation, successful evaluations depend on choosing the right evaluator for the specific situation. Ultimately, the effectiveness of an evaluation is determined not by the role itself, but by the evaluator’s ability to balance objectivity, context-awareness, and adaptability to meet the needs of the evaluation.
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Should you be a generalist or specialize?
Generalists in evaluation have strong evaluation competencies and skills that have been applied across several sectors and policy areas. Their wide scope of knowledge allows them to adapt to different contexts and develop collaborative relationships with diverse actors. They usually have strong methodological skills and can tailor and apply various evaluation approaches based on projects’ needs. However, they may not always have the deep expertise that certain specialised projects require.
Specialists, on the other hand, are typically experts in a specific field, methodology, or evaluation approach. They bring expert knowledge to address the needs of a specific evaluation project, such as complex or technical projects requiring deep subject matter or methodological expertise. However, specialists may have more limited opportunities outside their niche and may need to collaborate with generalists for broader contexts.
It's important to note that this distinction is not always black and white. Many evaluators find themselves somewhere in between, developing a blend of broad evaluation skills while also specialising in certain areas. The path you choose will depend on your interests and career goals, and there's often flexibility to move between these roles throughout your career.
Should you pursue a higher education degree in evaluation?
Higher education in evaluation can provide students with a structured curriculum and a deep understanding of the evaluation field, including key evaluation theories, approaches, and terminology. Several education programs in evaluation also provide practical components, such as internships or real-world projects, that allow students to apply their skills. A formal degree can signal to employers that you have a solid foundation in evaluation, which can be an advantage when looking for work. However, higher education training in evaluation can be costly and time-consuming, which might not be feasible for everyone.
On the other hand, gaining evaluation skills through non-degree training programs or on-the-job learning offers a more flexible and cost-effective path. This might include attending workshops, short courses, or certificate programs, or learning evaluation while working in related fields such as project management, social work, or policy analysis. This approach means learning can be tailored to the individual’s needs and interests, providing a broader perspective and fostering creativity. The skills developed through other education pathways can provide valuable transferable skills supporting your evaluation practice. Moreover, there is a growing number of training opportunities that are focused on specific competencies and skills required for evaluation, allowing people to focus on key evaluation skills without committing to a full degree.
Ultimately, the choice between a formal degree and flexible training depends on your career goals, learning preferences, and financial situation. Many evaluators successfully combine both approaches, building their skills through formal education and ongoing professional development.