The document summarizes the author's experience obtaining and completing an international applied research and evaluation internship in Durban, South Africa. It details the author's planning process, which began 6 months in advance and involved clear conceptualization of goals, skills, and contributions. It also describes reaching out to over 300 contacts through listservs and networking to secure offers from six organizations, and choosing the best fit. The author's projects at the HIV/AIDS clinic included several pilot studies and assessments. Challenges included limited resources and taking on additional responsibilities, but the experience overall helped advance the author's career goals.
The document provides advice on pursuing a tenure-track career in psychology. It discusses the pros and cons of such a career, including freedom and flexibility but also long hours and uncertainty. For those unsure of their path, it recommends gaining research experience which could benefit multiple career options. The author's own non-linear path is described, emphasizing publishing work, protected research time, and learning from other job candidates. Finally, it addresses concerns about job availability, noting clinical psychology positions have advantages and benchmarks can be determined by examining new hires' CVs. Fit may be prioritized over numbers of publications in the hiring process.
Researchers, Reporters and Everything in Between Kara Gavin
This document provides guidance to researchers on communicating their work to the public through various channels. It discusses the role of communication staff in helping researchers extend the reach of their work. Tips are provided on interacting with media, speaking to non-expert audiences, and creating an online presence to establish a personal brand. The goal is to help researchers engage with those who can apply their expertise, while navigating ethical and legal considerations around media interactions.
This document summarizes an interview with a mechanical engineering graduate about his transition from college to work. He notes communication gaps between schools/businesses and students/employers. Existing career programs and networking opportunities are underutilized. Students want personalized career information from working professionals. Improving communication between stakeholders and offering more specific career guidance through networking could help students transition more smoothly to the workforce.
Joleen Huertas is working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Argosy University Online. She has worked in various secretarial and home care jobs. Her goal is to work with middle and high school students to help them deal with issues like peer pressure and identity. She believes her life experiences, empathy, and caring nature would help her be an effective counselor.
The document discusses the roles and responsibilities of PhD supervisors, collaborators, and how to apply for NIHR funding. It provides the following key points:
1) PhD supervisors guide students through the process, ensure regulations are followed, help with contacts and research guidance, but do not do work for students or take responsibility for their research.
2) Students should carefully select 1-2 supervisors and a clinical supervisor, considering their accessibility, support, time availability, and experience.
3) Collaborators assist with specialist parts of a project and expect to be authors on related papers.
4) NIHR applications require selling yourself as a future research leader and securing university support well in advance of
The document outlines the stages of the counseling and psychotherapy process. It discusses 6 main stages: rapport and relationship building, assessment and diagnosis, formulation of counseling goals, intervention and problem solving, termination and follow up, and research and evaluation. It also describes 3 phases of counseling - the phase of the heart (rapport building), the phase of the mind (generating insights), and the phase of the hand (action planning). Key aspects of the initial session and assessment process are explained, including establishing trust, gathering information, and identifying client strengths and problems. The importance of formulating clear counseling goals that are driven by the client is also highlighted.
This document outlines the six stages of counseling and psychotherapy: 1) rapport and relationship building, 2) assessment and diagnosis, 3) formulation of counseling goals, 4) intervention and problem solving, 5) termination and follow up, and 6) research and evaluation. It also describes three phases of counseling - the phase of the heart (rapport building), the phase of the mind (generating insights), and the phase of the hand (action planning). Key aspects of each counseling stage are defined, such as establishing trust, gathering client information, mutually defining goals, selecting interventions, planning termination, and evaluating outcomes.
The document provides advice on pursuing a tenure-track career in psychology. It discusses the pros and cons of such a career, including freedom and flexibility but also long hours and uncertainty. For those unsure of their path, it recommends gaining research experience which could benefit multiple career options. The author's own non-linear path is described, emphasizing publishing work, protected research time, and learning from other job candidates. Finally, it addresses concerns about job availability, noting clinical psychology positions have advantages and benchmarks can be determined by examining new hires' CVs. Fit may be prioritized over numbers of publications in the hiring process.
Researchers, Reporters and Everything in Between Kara Gavin
This document provides guidance to researchers on communicating their work to the public through various channels. It discusses the role of communication staff in helping researchers extend the reach of their work. Tips are provided on interacting with media, speaking to non-expert audiences, and creating an online presence to establish a personal brand. The goal is to help researchers engage with those who can apply their expertise, while navigating ethical and legal considerations around media interactions.
This document summarizes an interview with a mechanical engineering graduate about his transition from college to work. He notes communication gaps between schools/businesses and students/employers. Existing career programs and networking opportunities are underutilized. Students want personalized career information from working professionals. Improving communication between stakeholders and offering more specific career guidance through networking could help students transition more smoothly to the workforce.
Joleen Huertas is working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Argosy University Online. She has worked in various secretarial and home care jobs. Her goal is to work with middle and high school students to help them deal with issues like peer pressure and identity. She believes her life experiences, empathy, and caring nature would help her be an effective counselor.
The document discusses the roles and responsibilities of PhD supervisors, collaborators, and how to apply for NIHR funding. It provides the following key points:
1) PhD supervisors guide students through the process, ensure regulations are followed, help with contacts and research guidance, but do not do work for students or take responsibility for their research.
2) Students should carefully select 1-2 supervisors and a clinical supervisor, considering their accessibility, support, time availability, and experience.
3) Collaborators assist with specialist parts of a project and expect to be authors on related papers.
4) NIHR applications require selling yourself as a future research leader and securing university support well in advance of
The document outlines the stages of the counseling and psychotherapy process. It discusses 6 main stages: rapport and relationship building, assessment and diagnosis, formulation of counseling goals, intervention and problem solving, termination and follow up, and research and evaluation. It also describes 3 phases of counseling - the phase of the heart (rapport building), the phase of the mind (generating insights), and the phase of the hand (action planning). Key aspects of the initial session and assessment process are explained, including establishing trust, gathering information, and identifying client strengths and problems. The importance of formulating clear counseling goals that are driven by the client is also highlighted.
This document outlines the six stages of counseling and psychotherapy: 1) rapport and relationship building, 2) assessment and diagnosis, 3) formulation of counseling goals, 4) intervention and problem solving, 5) termination and follow up, and 6) research and evaluation. It also describes three phases of counseling - the phase of the heart (rapport building), the phase of the mind (generating insights), and the phase of the hand (action planning). Key aspects of each counseling stage are defined, such as establishing trust, gathering client information, mutually defining goals, selecting interventions, planning termination, and evaluating outcomes.
Research in practice: how to survive and thriveMS Trust
This presentation by Nicki Ward and Jenny Freeman is aimed at novice researchers and based around a real-life case scenario in which many lessons were learnt. It also signposts to practical resources along the way.
This document provides information about Curtin University's PR Internship unit. It outlines the objectives of the internship, including gaining practical PR experience and developing professional skills. It discusses finding an internship placement, the tasks and responsibilities involved, and assessments including an employer appraisal, final report, and reflective blog. Key dates and contact details for the unit coordinator are also provided to help guide students through the internship process.
This document provides an overview of Robin Frank's Reboot Camp session on setting a job search strategy. The session covers developing a structured approach to the job search process, including tracking goals and tasks, networking, using online job boards and recruiters, and tapping into the hidden job market. Key points include the importance of networking to find most jobs, developing an elevator pitch, mapping one's network, and tracking all search activities. The session emphasizes having a plan and structure to stay motivated throughout the lengthy job search process.
This document provides guidance on improving networking skills. It defines networking as developing relationships based on common interests and experiences through talking and listening. Networking is important because 85% of jobs are found through relationships rather than online postings. The document offers tips for preparing for networking, including knowing your career goals and networking in a variety of settings. It also provides guidance on maintaining contacts through organized lists and follow-up communications. Informational interviewing is presented as an effective networking technique for gathering career advice and information. LinkedIn and maintaining an online professional presence are also discussed. The document concludes with networking exercises to practice introductions and mingling skills.
PebbleStorm "Feed Your Freedom" Program 070809Aaron Ross
This document describes a program called "PebbleStorm Feed Your Freedom" that helps professionals start a consulting or coaching practice to generate $5,000-$10,000 per month while only requiring 1-3 days of work per week. The 3-month program includes tele-seminars, accountability teams, and support to help participants get their first two clients. It aims to help people design services that preserve their freedom and lifestyle. Common questions the creator has heard are addressed, and it is noted that further development is needed before launching the program.
Here are some tips to improve being present:
- Schedule focused work for when you have the most energy
- Limit meetings to 30 minutes as the default
- Ban electronics/multitasking from important meetings
- Protect distraction-free time on individual calendars
- Speak up if a meeting seems unfocused or you notice distractions creeping in
Assessing where your team is at with planning, people skills, priorities and being present can help identify areas to improve collaboration habits. Small changes like these tips can help your team optimize efforts and avoid burnout from too much connectivity.
This document discusses ideas for helping a young, ambitious female student find a job that fits her interests and skills.
The most practical idea is to hold a student workshop where she can exchange ideas about different jobs, learn where to find openings, and discuss what to expect after university.
The most disruptive idea is to create an improved job search homepage that includes explanatory videos and a psychological test to filter listings by interests and personality.
The favorite idea is to get a mentor already working in her desired field who can offer advice on transitioning from school to a career, including potential connections to companies.
Using Surveys to Improve Your Library - Part 1ALATechSource
This document summarizes a presentation about using surveys to improve libraries. It discusses:
1. The assessment lifecycle of planning, implementing, analyzing, reacting and refining based on survey results. Surveys are best used to understand attitudes, beliefs and experiences.
2. When surveys should be used, including their pros and cons. Surveys work well to gather information from many people but cannot probe deeper. Triangulation of methods is often needed.
3. How to plan surveys, including defining populations, using random or convenience sampling, getting permissions, timing and incentives. Web surveys are convenient but risk self-selection bias. Piloting is important to validate the survey.
The document provides guidance on developing user personas based on user research. It discusses the importance of user research to understand users and gain empathy. Effective personas are described as realistic representations of key user groups based on qualitative and quantitative research. Sample personas are presented to demonstrate how they capture a user's background, goals, needs and pain points. The document also outlines how personas can be used throughout the user-centered design process, from research and discovery to testing and validation.
University at Buffalo Career Services Academic Job Search and Talk Spring 2014Plumbfan
The document summarizes advice for pursuing an academic job search, including networking, attending conferences, submitting publications, formalizing an online presence, and checking job posting websites. It outlines preparing job documents like a CV, cover letter, teaching philosophy, and securing recommendation letters. The document reviews giving an effective job talk, with sections on structure, supporting information, presentation tips, and practice. It emphasizes thoroughly researching the institution, department, and faculty to find the best fit and communicate interest in the position.
This document provides an overview of career planning exercises and self-assessments for mid-stage PhD students. It begins with a story about a graduate student facing a career decision and questions to discuss. It then outlines four self-assessment exercises: 1) writing seven stories from your life and analyzing patterns; 2) envisioning your ideal life over 40 years; 3) using the online tool myIDP to examine skills and interests; and 4) taking the Myers-Briggs personality test. The document emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, goal-setting, and exploring a variety of career paths and industries.
This document provides information about PR393, a public relations internship unit at Curtin University. It outlines the objectives of the unit, which include completing a month-long PR internship, applying PR principles in practice, developing professional skills, and preparing a portfolio. It discusses finding and securing a placement, the assessment requirements, and important due dates. Tips are provided on networking, gaining industry experience, and succeeding in the internship.
Integrating Virtual Opportunities and Remote Volunteers into your Volunteer P...VolunteerMatch
Managing remote volunteers can be challenging - how do you supervise, evaluate, or recognize the work of a volunteer you never meet face to face? The good news is that now, with an ever growing set of online tools, building an online community and connecting with someone across miles (or continents) is easier. In this webinar Jennifer Bennett and Deanna Cole will discuss best practices for creating meaningful relationships with remote volunteers, including building and empowering remote teams, managing projects by letting go but not checking out, and creating a two-way communication plan to share the work of remote volunteers with the organization and share what's happening at the organization with remote volunteers. While it is strongly encouraged and extremely beneficial to attend both Part I and Part II of this series, attending both is not required.
This document provides information on applying for fellowships and internships. It discusses the key characteristics of fellowships and internships, how students can benefit, tips for applying, what selection committees look for, how to write an effective personal statement, finding internship opportunities, and resources for funding fellowships and internships. The main points are that fellowships are typically paid and last 1-2 years while internships can be unpaid and of shorter duration, applying early and following instructions are important, and networking can increase chances of being accepted.
This document discusses the benefits of mentoring programs. It defines mentoring as a long-term relationship that helps support personal and professional development. It provides examples of famous people who had mentors and discusses the career support mentors can provide, including advice, networking opportunities, and confidence building. The document also describes various mentoring programs available at Westminster University for students, including opportunities to be paired with mentors in different career fields.
The document discusses services provided by the Careers and Employability service at Sheffield Hallam University. It provides information on career planning support, including 45-minute career guidance appointments and 30-minute appointments with employability advisors. It outlines a 4-step approach to career planning: 1) Where are you now, 2) Explore options, 3) Plan your next steps, 4) Make it happen. Students can access support from the Careers and Employability service throughout their time at the university and for up to 5 years after graduation.
The Community Tool Box has been working with its Iranian partners who are providing training on policy matters for NGO leaders and advocates based in Iran with the goal of strengthening their skills in policy making and capacity building. As a trainer I prepared and delivered a 60 minute on-line (GoToWebinar) audio lecture on operational planning for policy development or policy change. The Power Point lecture was translated into Farsi and will be broadcast to the Iranian audience at a later date.
The Community Tool Box has been working with its Iranian partners who are providing training on policy matters for NGO leaders and advocates based in Iran with the goal of strengthening their skills in policy making and capacity building. As a trainer I prepared and delivered a 60 minute on-line (GoToWebinar) audio lecture on strategic planning for policy development or policy change. The Power Point lecture was translated into Farsi and will be broadcast to the Iranian audience at a later date.
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This document provides information about Curtin University's PR Internship unit. It outlines the objectives of the internship, including gaining practical PR experience and developing professional skills. It discusses finding an internship placement, the tasks and responsibilities involved, and assessments including an employer appraisal, final report, and reflective blog. Key dates and contact details for the unit coordinator are also provided to help guide students through the internship process.
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Here are some tips to improve being present:
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- Ban electronics/multitasking from important meetings
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Assessing where your team is at with planning, people skills, priorities and being present can help identify areas to improve collaboration habits. Small changes like these tips can help your team optimize efforts and avoid burnout from too much connectivity.
This document discusses ideas for helping a young, ambitious female student find a job that fits her interests and skills.
The most practical idea is to hold a student workshop where she can exchange ideas about different jobs, learn where to find openings, and discuss what to expect after university.
The most disruptive idea is to create an improved job search homepage that includes explanatory videos and a psychological test to filter listings by interests and personality.
The favorite idea is to get a mentor already working in her desired field who can offer advice on transitioning from school to a career, including potential connections to companies.
Using Surveys to Improve Your Library - Part 1ALATechSource
This document summarizes a presentation about using surveys to improve libraries. It discusses:
1. The assessment lifecycle of planning, implementing, analyzing, reacting and refining based on survey results. Surveys are best used to understand attitudes, beliefs and experiences.
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3. How to plan surveys, including defining populations, using random or convenience sampling, getting permissions, timing and incentives. Web surveys are convenient but risk self-selection bias. Piloting is important to validate the survey.
The document provides guidance on developing user personas based on user research. It discusses the importance of user research to understand users and gain empathy. Effective personas are described as realistic representations of key user groups based on qualitative and quantitative research. Sample personas are presented to demonstrate how they capture a user's background, goals, needs and pain points. The document also outlines how personas can be used throughout the user-centered design process, from research and discovery to testing and validation.
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The document summarizes advice for pursuing an academic job search, including networking, attending conferences, submitting publications, formalizing an online presence, and checking job posting websites. It outlines preparing job documents like a CV, cover letter, teaching philosophy, and securing recommendation letters. The document reviews giving an effective job talk, with sections on structure, supporting information, presentation tips, and practice. It emphasizes thoroughly researching the institution, department, and faculty to find the best fit and communicate interest in the position.
This document provides an overview of career planning exercises and self-assessments for mid-stage PhD students. It begins with a story about a graduate student facing a career decision and questions to discuss. It then outlines four self-assessment exercises: 1) writing seven stories from your life and analyzing patterns; 2) envisioning your ideal life over 40 years; 3) using the online tool myIDP to examine skills and interests; and 4) taking the Myers-Briggs personality test. The document emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, goal-setting, and exploring a variety of career paths and industries.
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More from Jeffrey Andrew Sheldon, M.A., Ed.M. (14)
Aea Conference Presentation November 2007 J Sheldon
Aea Ces Conference Poster October 2005 J Sheldon
1. The International Applied Research & Evaluation Internship: Getting Where You Want to Go…
Jeffrey Sheldon, Ed. M.
Applied Social Science Research & Evaluation Intern
Psycho-social Support & Counselling Programme
Sinikithemba HIV/Aids Clinic – McCord Hospital, Durban, South Africa
&
Ph. D. Student (2)
School of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences
Claremont Graduate University
Claremont, California, USA
jeffrey.sheldon@cgu.edu/ 909.447.5474
• At the end of my first semester I determined that doing an
international internship was a necessary and vital experience
for the enhancement of both my studies and career.
• In conceptualizing my internship I was clear about what I
wanted my experience to look like, the skills I wanted to use,
the contribution I wanted to make, and how I ultimately
wanted to benefit.
• I developed a “marketing piece” for broad distribution.
• Looking for internships, networking, and broadcasting began
6 months in advance of the actual start date since I was
literally “flying blind” – I knew nothing about this process
before I started.
Preliminary steps:
Conceptualization:
• I was clear that it had to be an authentic applied research & evaluation
internship, not just administrative work.
• I provided a rationale why an international relationship was of value to me
and important for my career – monitoring & evaluation in developing
countries.
• I made sure they would understand my modus operandi was to provide a
service and to contribute to their organization’s development, capacity
building, and improvement.
• Specific projects did not matter so much as the work involved.
• I was clear that I was not interested in an internship for monetary
compensation, but rather for pedagogical reasons – as part of the
requirement to build a portfolio of applied experiences and to potentially
network with practitioners in M & E.
• I offered to bear the costs myself, i.e. basically I would pay myself to be an
intern.
• I provided definite start and end dates.
Looking for the internship:
• I first used the career services office’s Peterson’s Internship reference book
as a guide to looking up organizations that I already knew about – e.g.,
UNESCO, USAID, World Bank, and Unicef, and finding others of interest
that I might want to explore.
• I then used the web to find the organizations listed in Peterson’s.
• If there was a direct contact, I sent an email to that person, if not then I sent
it to info@...
• I Googled “international internships for graduate students.”
• I contacted people in my network that might know of internship opportunities
or other people who I might contact.
Broadcasting & Networking:
• I used two primary sources for broadcasting and networking
– Evaltalk Listserve
– XCeval Listserve
• I sent out the following excerpt of my email to both Listserves, to “blind”
contacts, and anyone who contacted me otherwise:
– “By way of introduction I am a first-year psychology Ph. D. student at
Claremont Graduate University (Claremont, CA, USA) concentrating in
evaluation & applied research with a focus on international
organizational development. One of the interesting aspects of my
doctoral program is the emphasis placed on developing a portfolio of
applied experiences as adjunct to coursework. Thus, the value of
doing an internship with an organization that works in the international
arena is more pedagogical than compensatory, i.e., I would basically
pay myself to be an intern…”
After the emails went out:
• I received many return emails suggesting I contact this person or that
person, which I dutifully, and quickly, followed up on.
• For nearly two months, over 300 emails were sent and received, including
“thank-you” notes.
• It is very time consuming to follow-up on every email, but it is a necessary
part of the process – this cannot be over-emphasized.
The offers, the decision:
• As it turned out, less than two months were necessary to find, secure, and
accept an offer for the position I wanted, from an organization I wanted.
• Enticing internship offers were received from six organizations:
– Three in South Africa (Durban, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth);
– One in Nepal (Katmandu); and
– Two in Australia (Melbourne and Sydney).
• Unfortunately I could accept only one offer.
• I accepted the one that matched up with my long-term career goals and
would give me the best opportunity to do the work for which I’ve been
trained (thus far).
Planning & Logistics:
• If you have to, take out extra loan money for the sake of experience; it will
pay future dividends.
• Purchase airline tickets (Priceline.com was cheapest) at least 2 months in
advance of your departure date.
• Make sure your passport is current and check with both the State
Department and your host country about the necessity of a visa or work
permit.
• Determine the immunizations you need (see CDC advisories on their web
site) and get them well in advance of your departure.
• Get to know the key contacts at your internship site and develop a
relationship with them.
• Develop a budget (includes knowing exchange rate).
• Check Weather.com so you know what to pack for the climate (is it their
winter, our summer?).
Planning & Logistics Cont’d:
• You are a professional so bring the appropriate clothes for work; know
the organizational culture before you get there.
• Know where you are going to stay; set up you accommodations in
advance of your departure working with your on-site contacts.
• Know where you are going to exchange currency and make sure you
have enough money to cover at least your first week in-country.
• Know how you’re going to get from the airport to where you are staying,
and then from where you’re staying to the organization.
• Know where you are going to eat, know where you can shop for
sundries, etc… – basically, know how to maintain yourself in the ways
you would at home.
• Think of all the questions you have, then send them all in one email –
don’t be a pest.
The Experience:
• At first they didn’t know where I best fit - the Psychology Department, the
Hospital, or Sinikithemba HIV/Aids Care Centre – because they weren’t
sure of my capabilities.
• There were many needs to fill, but they wanted me to take some time to sort
out which projects I might like to work on.
• Finally, they decided I should work with the Psycho-support Team at the
HIV/Aids Care Centre because that’s where the most pressing needs were,
i.e. there was much they wanted to know about the counseling program, but
they just never had the time or expertise to undertake studies and
evaluations.
• The projects that I eventually worked on were negotiated with my
supervisor.
• I took about three weeks to finally figure out which projects had priority, the
order they should be undertaken, and how to go about doing the work.
• I had full access to staff, was included in all clinic and staff meetings (4 per
week), and had access to all necessary documents.
Some minor inconveniences:
• I did not always have access to decision-makers, and actually spent a lot of
time working without input so I was never quite sure I was doing work that
was ultimately going to prove useful.
• There was no research and evaluation mentor to review my work or provide
guidance.
• I was not linked in any formal way to external researchers and evaluators.
• After my laptop was stolen I had to scramble for computer resources – 1 PC
in the clinic with internet access and only one PC networked to the only
working printer shared by many, many people.
• I frequently had to deal with personal clinic staff issues and needs because I
was the only one with the capacity to do so.
Final product: a “compendium” that…
• Provides a rationale for each project.
• Delineates implementation and management tasks, and what has been
done to date.
• Offers implementation and management tasks yet to be undertaken as
suggestions for future project direction.
Projects Started & Developed:
• On-going Counselling Pilot Study
• Sinikithemba ART Patient Training Knowledge, Attitudes, & Beliefs
Assessment Pilot Study
• Situational Analysis of McCord Hospital’s HIV/Aids Counselling
Programme
• Psycho-social Screening Tool Additions to Trak Health on-line
data base
• Sinikithemba Counselling Programme Situational Analysis & Training
Needs Assessment
• Sinikithemba Forms & Training Materials Evaluation
• External Research & Evaluation Proposal Form
My final advice to the Clinic Staff:
• This work should be utilized wholly at the discretion of
those who are charged with implementing these projects and studies.
• This work should be reviewed by more than one person and that as
time permits, discussions take place as a collective so any resulting
decisions about the use of these materials are mutually agreed upon.
• Any one project or study is likely to impact multiple areas across both
Sinikithemba and McCord so involvement of the many will be more
beneficial than involvement of the few.
My final advice to you:
• Leave western attitudes and thinking at home.
• Fit in, acculturate quickly, don’t stick out.
• Be open to thinking in different ways and be ready for challenges to your
preconceived notions and assumptions.
• Be open to doing things in a different way than you are used to,
and especially be patient because events will not always happen
when you want them to.
• You may know more applied research and evaluation methodology than
the people you will work with, but you won’t know more about the
context in which you are working so listen twice and speak once.
• Working in your host country and with your host institution is a privilege,
not a right.