Last week, OITE launched a new "How-to" series to share information with trainees about what it takes to get a job in a particular field. The inaugural session of the series was on how to find a job in science education and outreach. What kinds of jobs exist in this broad field, and what does it take to find a job in science education & outreach?
If you are considering a job in this diverse field, it is important to know what the job entails so you can connect required skills to those you have developed through your graduate education and/or postdoctoral training. In these positions, you may be asked to:
- Offer demonstrations (as at a science museum)
- Teach, either in a classroom setting, one-on-one, or to small groups on-site
- Develop curriculum
- Assemble educational materials (LOTS of writing)
- Leverage diversity (of science, of groups, etc.)
- Manage programs (science fairs, exhibitions, etc.)
Where do these jobs exist? In lots of places, depending on your geographic preferences. Some include:
- Public and private schools (K-12, both traditional classroom teaching and, at a more global level, in education policy)
- Colleges and universities (both traditional faculty positions and leadership positions within outreach offices)
- Zoos
- Museums
- Industry (divisions focused on outreach, community involvement, e.g. science fair judging, providing resources to schools, etc.)
- Extension (land-grant universities often have large community extension programs, some focused on agriculture, nutrition; office-based jobs)
- Non-profits (educational programs for children and/or adults)
- Entrepreneurial (build your own business in this field)
What job titles might you see?
- Program/Projects: Director/Manager OR Analyst/Coordinator/Specialist
- Career Development and Outreach Specialist
- Education and Community Involvement Specialist
- Curriculum Development Specialist
- Educator
- Exhibit Developer
- Grants Program Manager
- Outreach Coordinator
What are the requirements for these types of positions? Scientific Knowledge (need to be able to talk broadly about science in general, what topics are hot, newsworthy, etc.)
- Consider mentoring a summer student to talk about your science on a different level
- Give as many presentations as you can
- Volunteer to host a speaker
- Read broadly about science
Knowledge of Education/Outreach
- Mentor graduate or summer student
- Consider taking a course on pedagogy (Scientists Teaching Science at the NIH)
- Volunteer to teach a course--or even a lecture--in an undergraduate classroom, volunteer through FAES
- Conduct outreach (judge science fairs, join speakers bureau, volunteer for National Lab Day)
- Volunteer to develop materials for a K-12 school/grade
- Consider getting certified to teach (some counties/states pay for university teacher certification programs for people who commit to teach)
People Skills
- Join committees to learn how to lead meetings and manage volunteers
- Seek collaborations within and outside of your lab
- Take leadership and management courses through OITE (see Events)
Communication Skills, Written and Verbal
- Talk about your work to outside audiences, other scientists
- Join Toastmasters (meetings on the Bethesda campus on Thursday nights, but meetings also happen nationwide) to work on your public speaking skills
- Teach or volunteer
- Write as often as you can (papers, grants, reviews)
- Write non-technical articles (NIH Catalyst, professional association newsletters, etc.)
- Practice proper business correspondence and email etiquette
- Join NIH Fellows Editorial Board
- Consider taking science writing courses (offered via the NIH)
- Volunteer to write promotional materials for your IC or the NIH
- Write a grant for a school or teacher
Analytical Skills These skills may seem most directly transferable from science-based experience and education, but you will need to demonstrate that you can:
- Gather, analyze, and organize information
- Find and test solutions to problems
- Formulate plans
Project/Time Management Skills
- Manage someone else's work
- Set short-term and long-term goals for your science
- Join/volunteer with groups that require you to organize people or projects
Computer Skills
- NIH Library offers many courses
Where are these jobs listed?
- www.chronicle.com
- www.usajobs.gov
- www.higheredjobs.com
...Among many others. More resources, including sample job descriptions for science education and outreach positions, can be found here. Good luck!
