I’m sure if you have ever thought about beginning a career in Monitoring and Evaluation, you probably have thought the same question as most of us : Where do I begin?? We often have questions like :
Is there a special degree?
Is there an exam?
Is there a professional certificate?
Is there a license?
How long does it take to become one?
…. And the list goes on.
Well, I’m happy to tell you there is NO ONE WAY TO BEGIN; you just need to START!
There are no defined starting points to a career in M&E. In M&E, you just need to begin where you are, and that looks different for everyone as M&E is one of those specialty areas that is still developing.
Many people engage in this field ‘intentionally’ and ‘unintentionally’. Those who came unintentionally, have NOT started their careers by saying, “I want to be an M&E practitioner” but may have come to the field by means of necessity or just a gradual desire after engaging in different professional areas. For the ones that came to M&E intentionally, they may have approached it like any other career, taking direct steps with M&E as the end goal. Some people may have been doing M&E and did not realize it until it was pointed out to them.
So, here’s the question again: where do you begin?
Well, begin where you are!
While skills like data management are fundamental to M&E, M&E is an amalgamation of skills. You need to ascertain the skills that are needed for M&E, and then you assess what you have and don’t have and plan how to acquire them. Whether you are a young college grad, mid-career professional, or veteran, you possess varying skillsets, but what is important is how you leverage, adapt and package those skills to tend to the M&E practice.
Acquiring the skills needed to be an M&E practitioner can come through several different means. Let’s discuss a few of them below :
THE TRAIN OF TRAININGS 👩🏽🏫
Training is a very constant feature of the M&E practice. At some point along your journey, you are either the Trainer or the Trainee. Trainings can vary in length and focus. Some training courses are based on providing foundational knowledge, while others are focused on specific branches of M&E, whether it be methodologies or the use of tools, among other things. It would be suitable for anyone who is new to the field to take advantage of free and paid training as this will help you to gain not only knowledge but access to resources, certifications, and networks.
A PLACE FOR CONFERENCES & SEMINARS 🤝🏽
Conferences and seminars are a great way to keep up with recent developments in M&E discourse, especially those of a more 'academic nature'. It is a good way to become aware of writers, theories, methodologies, and case studies from other M&E practitioners. You can access these seminars by joining organizations or keeping up to date with different M&E bodies that organize these events. Online events are accessible, but take advantage of those conferences and seminars that are in person ; being physically present can be a boost to your visibility in the M&E space and can provide a space to network and explore opportunities for collaboration.
TO ‘DEGREE’ or ‘NOT TO DEGREE’ 🎓
Degrees in Monitoring and Evaluation are not very common and are a recent development in the space. Although these programmes exist, M&E is typically subsumed as a course within a degree programme and not a degree programme within itself. However, you do not need a degree that says “B.Sc., M.Sc., M.A. or PhD in M&E” to work in M&E. However, a college degree (often a B.Sc. or a M.Sc.) is one of the prerequisites in job descriptions for M&E practitioners. The domain that the degree is in (Humanities, Science, Business, etc.) will carry different weights when applied to different types of projects in M&E.
M&E is not tied to one DOMAIN; it is adaptable. Therefore, the M&E person should also possess a mindset of adaptability. If you want to work on projects in one domain, go for it; if you prefer to apply it to several domains, GO FOR IT.
LET’S GET TO WORK: Internships, Apprenticeships and On-The-Job Experience💪🏽
It does not get any more real than this! Experience! Experience! Experience! One of the best teachers, it is true when they say you never really know what you’re getting into until you’re in it! So is the case here. While you can learn the theory and sit behind your desk and gain all the knowledge, the true test will be your application and practice in real-life projects.
Experience in M&E can teach you about the gaps between theory and practice, it can make you aware of the idiosyncrasies of working in different environments with different stakeholders, and a big part is the administration of M&E projects. If you are new to the field, it would be great to identify practitioners and engage them in conversation about the practice, get advice/mentorship and even ask for opportunities to shadow/work with them. Some organizations provide internships to M&E professionals, so check their websites and contact them regarding possible opportunities. Apply for jobs where you can grow in the position and gain responsibility in the field.
If you want to do M&E, you must PRACTICE M&E, so take those opportunities and create YOUR space!
So, where do you begin?
Begin where you are!
Credit : Cover Image by pch.vector on Freepik
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