So You’re New to Evaluation? Tips for New and Emerging Evaluators
June 2025
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Graduation season is upon us, and it often brings with it a moment of reflection on where we’ve been and where we’re heading. It reminds me of the uncertainty I felt early in my career: What kind of work would I do? Where would I end up?
I didn’t study evaluation at university. In fact, I didn’t even know it was a field! Like many in this profession, I found my way here by accident. I said yes to a role that involved surveys and interviews, and soon I was drafting evaluation plans, mapping logic models, analyzing feedback, and sharing findings with clients.
7+ years later, I’m still here and I love it. At Three Hive Consulting, no two projects are the same. We work across diverse topics, sectors, and communities, which means I’m always learning something new. That’s one of my favourite things about evaluation: it lets you ask important questions and contribute to change.
If you're a new graduate, intern, or early career evaluator—welcome! You don’t need a specific degree to thrive in this field. What you do need is curiosity, empathy, critical thinking, and a drive to improve programs and systems that affect real people.
Here are a few lessons I’ve learned through my evaluation journey so far, and what I wish I’d known when I was starting.
1. Be open to discovering your path
Evaluation is a wide-reaching field. It spans health, education, social programs, nonprofits, policy, and beyond. Early in your career, there’s often pressure to “find your niche”, but I don’t think you have to. Some evaluators specialize, and others thrive by staying generalists. Both paths are valid.
I believe one of the most valuable skills you can develop is adaptability. Say yes to a range of projects, methods, and roles. You might discover that you enjoy interviews more than focus groups, or that your strengths lie in translating data into visuals rather than collecting it. Trying different approaches helps you to build a versatile toolkit.
2. Stay grounded in your “why”
Why evaluation? For me, it began with a curiosity about how research could support social good. I didn’t initially know that evaluation was a career path, but I was drawn to the idea of using data and evidence to amplify underrepresented voices and shed light on both strengths and opportunities for improvement. Once I discovered the field, I realized that my interests and the skills I was developing were a natural fit for evaluation. It gave purpose and direction to my work, rooted in values that mattered to me.
Your “why” might be rooted in social justice, learning, systems change, or community impact. Clarifying your motivation can help you make intentional decisions and stay connected to the purpose behind your work, especially during complex or challenging projects.
3. It’s okay not to have all the answers
No one starts out knowing exactly how to “do” evaluation. For me, much of the learning continues to happen on the job: how to design thoughtful questions, write clearly and concisely, and communicate findings in a way that resonates with and is useful to the audience. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I believe that curiosity is one of your greatest strengths as an evaluator. Check out our article Playing The Fool: Why Asking A Few Silly Questions Makes You A Better Evaluator to learn more about embracing curiosity, even when it means asking what feels like a “silly” question. This can build trust, uncover hidden insights, and ultimately make your evaluation stronger and more meaningful.
4. Build your skills through ongoing learning
Following closely from asking questions is the importance of seeking answers, through both formal and informal learning. Professional growth in evaluation doesn’t stop at graduation. Online courses, workshops, conferences, and networks (like the Canadian Evaluation Society) are excellent ways to deepen your knowledge. But, as I previously mentioned, I believe some of the most impactful learning happens in real time. After each project, take time to reflect, both individually and with your evaluation team, if you have one. Ask yourself: What went well? What would I approach differently next time? What was unexpected? These moments of reflection help turn experience into insight and that’s where I believe the real skill development happens.
5. Remember that creativity belongs here too
Creativity isn’t separate from evaluation, it strengthens it. Whether you're designing a data collection tool, writing a report, or sharing findings, creativity helps you connect with your audience and communicate meaning in ways that resonate. It shows up in how we frame questions, tell stories with data, and tailor reports for different audiences.
If you have the capacity, try experimenting with infographics or reframing dense findings into accessible summaries. Creative approaches can improve clarity, engagement, and ultimately, the usefulness of your evaluation. And just as importantly, creativity keeps your work interesting! It allows you to bring your full self to the process, making room for joy, experimentation, and new ways of thinking. In a field focused on learning and growth, I think creativity is not just a nice-to-have, it’s essential.
6. Contribute to a learning culture
Evaluation is stronger when we share what we know. Even early in your career, your perspective, critical questions, and reflections can enrich team learning. Don’t underestimate what you bring to the table!
As you gain more and more experience, consider how you can support others, whether by offering peer feedback, sharing resources and learnings, or mentoring new evaluators. When we invest in each other’s growth, we create a more inclusive, thoughtful, and dynamic field.
Final thoughts
If you’re stepping into the field of evaluation, know this: there’s no one “right” path. This is a field where a lot of learning happens in real time, and where diverse skills and backgrounds are an asset. Evaluation offers a meaningful way to support programs and communities, and there are many ways to contribute. Stay reflective, keep asking questions, and take each project as a chance to learn!