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Job outlook for program development specialists in the United States
Are program development specialist jobs in demand?
Program development specialist job and salary trends over time
Program development specialist jobs over time
Program development specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 555 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 525 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 516 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 481 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 463 | 0.00% |
Average program development specialist salary over time
Program development specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $53,724 | $25.83 | +2.4% |
| 2025 | $52,448 | $25.22 | +0.6% |
| 2024 | $52,156 | $25.08 | +0.8% |
| 2023 | $51,719 | $24.87 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $50,571 | $24.31 | +1.4% |
Program development specialist jobs by state
Most common states for program development specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 301 | 43% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 307 | 41% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 536 | 40% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 348 | 36% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 212 | 34% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 279 | 32% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 183 | 32% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,733 | 31% |
| 9 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 597 | 31% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 225 | 30% |
| 11 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,776 | 27% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 846 | 27% |
| 13 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 565 | 27% |
| 14 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 769 | 26% |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,394 | 24% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 257 | 24% |
| 17 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 253 | 24% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,891 | 23% |
| 19 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,372 | 23% |
| 20 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 698 | 23% |
Most common cities for program development specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 3 | 8% | $74,834 |
| 2 | Frankfort | 2 | 7% | $39,494 |
| 3 | Juneau | 2 | 6% | $37,889 |
| 4 | Menlo Park | 2 | 6% | $73,127 |
| 5 | Dover | 2 | 5% | $61,113 |
| 6 | Lansing | 3 | 3% | $54,104 |
| 7 | Hartford | 2 | 2% | $62,281 |
| 8 | Springfield | 2 | 2% | $59,739 |
| 9 | Topeka | 2 | 2% | $50,299 |
| 10 | Newark | 3 | 1% | $68,283 |
| 11 | Baton Rouge | 2 | 1% | $53,080 |
| 12 | Fremont | 2 | 1% | $72,910 |
| 13 | Urban Honolulu | 2 | 1% | $52,634 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 4 | 0% | $51,559 |
| 15 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $55,881 |
| 16 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $50,776 |
| 17 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $53,546 |
| 18 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $47,721 |
| 19 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $79,919 |
Program Development Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of program development specialist experts
Texas A&M University - Central Texas
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Ohio University
University of Massachusetts Boston
Clemson University
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
West Virginia State University
University of Houston-Downtown
American University
The University of Texas at Arlington
Baker University
University of Redlands
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Seattle University
East Tennessee State University
Committee on the Status of Women in Astronomy - CSWA
Pacific Lutheran University
Hartwick College
Boston University
Allen Redmon Ph.D.
Dean, College of Arts and SciencesTexas A&M University - Central Texas
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
What Program Development Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Allen Redmon Ph.D.: One essential job trait that doesn’t get discussed enough is empathy, the ability to develop processes, statements, and objectives with the client, customer, or user in mind. Those employees or companies who start from a place of empathy will always outpace those who do not.
What general advice would you give to a Program Development Specialist?
Jaunelle Celaire: Never stop learning! This may consist of going back to school, earning new certifications in your field of study, attending conferences and seminars, and making sure that your time management is always at its finest level of excellence.
What Program Development Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jaunelle Celaire: Leadership - the world needs more of these; the ability to lead, craft and grow. Digital literacy - this world is definitely turning digital and virtual is the new trend. Emotional intelligence - there is a vast number of personalities in our world today; individuals grow and it is our job to stay emotionally connected, so we can operate more effectively.
What will help Program Development Specialists increase their earning potential?
Jaunelle Celaire: Learn from everything. Remember every moment is a learning opportunity from everyone around you, no matter their title. Pay attention when things go well and clue in and pay extra attention when they do not; watch how people react to it. Build relationships and network with the people who face problems by being their solution.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Program Development Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Dustin White Ph.D.: I think that the biggest trend that we should expect to see in the job market (both during the pandemic and after) is an acknowledgement that remote work can be effective in many kinds of jobs. This should lead to increased flexibility in location for job seekers. Previously, most companies were very reluctant to hire remote workers. The pandemic should have changed that opinion for many firms. If companies are reluctant to accept remote work and can't give a good reason why, they are likely to lose a competitive edge to more flexible workplaces.
What skills stand out on Program Development Specialist resumes?
Dr. Dustin White Ph.D.: Skills in quantitative analysis are probably the biggest standouts right now. Firms in pretty much every industry have learned that using data can give them an improved understanding of their customers and clients. Being able to think critically about data and make data-driven decisions will be the skills that most stand out to employers on a resume. At UNO, we have incorporated Business Analytics coursework into our Business Administration undergraduate programs, as well as into our MBA and MS Econ programs, to help our students gain this edge across the business spectrum.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Program Development Specialists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Dustin White Ph.D.: I think that remote work has made this particular question less pressing, though there are certainly places where industries are focused (e.g., technology in Silicon Valley). I think that students need to discover their passion and then do some research to learn where companies in that field are at! I should also mention that all kinds of amazing work is being done here in Omaha, ranging from sports technology and ecommerce to transportation and defense!
Brian Collins Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Chair & Drs. Ram and Sushila Gawande Chair in Indian Religion and PhilosophyOhio University
College of Arts and Sciences
What skills stand out on Program Development Specialist resumes?
Brian Collins Ph.D.: Intercultural competency, critical thinking, and oral and written communications are the skills that will most stand out on the resumes of graduates of religious studies programs.
What soft skills should all Program Development Specialists possess?
Brian Collins Ph.D.: Intercultural competency and critical thinking are absolutely essential to dealing with our increasingly diverse and fragmented society.
What skills will help Program Development Specialists earn the most?
Brian Collins Ph.D.: The ability to deal with change, the only constant in life, is the product of a humanities education and is also what puts people in the running for promotion within an organization or allows them to get hired into new and often largely undefined positions that require someone who can navigate the shifting sands.
Ellen Birchander
Graduate Program Director and Clinical Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Massachusetts Boston
Department of Gerontology
What skills stand out on Program Development Specialist resumes?
Ellen Birchander: The field of aging is very different than other disciplines. It encompasses all aspects of life for an older adult; healthcare, transportation, entertainment, consumerism, marketing, technology, social work, housing, insurance, nutrition, etc. This affords many opportunities for individuals who are passionate about working with older adults and their families. There are many entry-level options and lots of room for growth.
There are several characteristics that are advantageous. The most important characteristic is a love/ passion for working with an aging population. In addition, it helps to be curious and a quick learner, and to be patient.
Skills in the field transcend many disciplines. It is very important to have excellent interpersonal and listening skills. This is essential not only for direct service work but to continue to learn about a dynamic field that is constantly changing as people and environments change. Next, organizational skills are essential for negotiating the many intricate responsibilities that encompass an individual's life. Management skills allow individuals to move within a changing field. An understanding of health and wellness, social aspects of aging, and psychology are also very useful skill sets to have. No one lives in a vacuum, so understanding family dynamics is very useful.
In today's world, every profession requires some degree of proficiency with technology. The field of aging is no different. Attention to detail, analytical skills, and professionalism are key elements to success in the field.
As individuals gain experience and hone skills, the opportunities to develop policy and programs, direct home and community-based services, direct residential long-term care services, work in other fields such as finance, housing, entertainment as experts in aging increases.
Working as a gerontologist allows you to impact other people's lives with the goal of promoting autonomy, independence, and continued quality of life. There is little that is so fulfilling as making a difference.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Program Development Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Curtis Simon: I think it is hard to gauge the impact of the pandemic. We know that downturns in economic activity have a negative impact on cohorts entering the labor market, and historically, that negative impact persists in the form of depressed earnings for many years. So that's a guess.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Program Development Specialists?
Dr. Marianne Wanamaker Ph.D.: Evidence suggests that graduating from college in a weak labor market has long-term impacts on labor market outcomes and may depress earnings for up to 10 years after graduation. One avenue for avoiding these effects that has typically been available is graduate school. But many students are finding graduate school unappetizing in the current higher education environment.
What type of skills will young Program Development Specialists need?
Dr. Marianne Wanamaker Ph.D.: There has been a steady push towards more analytic and data skills for undergraduates over the past decade. That emphasis appears to be here to stay.
What experience really stands out on Program Development Specialist resumes?
Dr. Marianne Wanamaker Ph.D.: Any hands-on experience is a huge advantage in today's labor market. I always encourage my students to take as many project-based courses as they can. It gives you something tangible to talk about in an internship or job interview. Writing experience is also really helpful.
Dr. Mark Wilson
Associate Professor of EconomicsWest Virginia State University
Economics Department
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Program Development Specialists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mark Wilson: Good places to find work: two areas are booming now, Texas and the West Coast of Florida. In Texas, Dallas and Houston are growing quickly and with their youthful populations, this is a good place to look - the median age in Texas is 34 versus the U.S. average of 38. In Florida, from Tampa to Ft. Myers, growth is robust as baby boomers retire and leave job openings for new graduates.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Program Development Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Mark Wilson: Biggest trends: the biggest trends in U.S. labor markets are expanding e-commerce and WFH (working from home). E-commerce growth continues a long-term trend, but this trend has accelerated with COVID. People who never bought or traded online have been brought into that space. And those who were familiar with e-commerce have extended their use. This extension involves traditional buying patterns (books, clothes) but now includes entertainment, religion and education. WFH has expanded, too. It had been growing due to the changing nature of work and improvements in computers and the Internet backbone. That growth has accelerated with COVID. For job seekers, recognition of these trends is vital.
What skills stand out on Program Development Specialist resumes?
Dr. Mark Wilson: Job skills that stand out: two skills that every job seeker should now cultivate are: proficiency with spreadsheets and proficiency with online conferencing (e.g., Zoom, Skype). Most graduates have low skills in spreadsheets and will be trying to learn these skills on-the-fly. Proficient spreadsheet users are able to take their skills to the next level. As for teleconferencing, we are just scratching the surface of what COVID has taught us about online meetings. Newbies in the job market should be skilled enough in teleconferencing that they can share screens, do hosting, and know etiquette of conference calling.
What type of skills will young Program Development Specialists need?
Rob Austin McKee Ph.D.: Some of the most significant workplace issues are the uncertainty regarding when the pandemic will end, and the degree to which our shift away from the traditional workplace model (i.e., in-person versus remote work) is permanent. This predicament is similar to the idea of punctuated equilibrium; we are enduring a great upheaval, but we will achieve a new status quo at some point. To the extent that employers shift to a more remote workforce, graduates will need to learn how to be productive in their home environments while maintaining a clear division between work and other aspects of their lives.
In other words, it will be necessary for them to defend proper work-life balance. Doing so may be challenging because remote workers will likely have to contend with increasingly popular employer-required productivity and performance tracking software that may incentivize them to work more or focus on employer-prescribed metrics that are imperfectly aligned with their work tasks. So, workers need to master the autonomy resulting from such physical separation from their managers while simultaneously learning how to navigate the productivity and surveillance systems that intend to substitute those aspects of traditional management.
What experience really stands out on Program Development Specialist resumes?
Rob Austin McKee Ph.D.: We have established that internships are scarce, and the job market is dismal. In this environment, applicants must demonstrate that they were not complacent while they were unemployed or underemployed. They can rise above the applicant pool and impress potential employers by showing that they used any time spent unemployed or underemployed building or refining the knowledge, skills, and abilities of value to prospective hiring firms.
Beyond the resume, applicants should master the virtual interview process and realize that some underappreciated factors may influence their success. Good lighting, a clean and quiet environment, and a stable internet connection are all important. Any student taking virtual classes knows how easy it is to lose focus or become distracted by their phones, pets, family members, etc. Realize that any person(s) remotely interviewing them may have the same distractions present, especially if they are conducting the interview from home. So, interviewees must be able to provide an engaging interview. So, practice!
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Program Development Specialists?
Rob Austin McKee Ph.D.: Let's start with the necessary disclaimer that the high degree of uncertainty surrounding the pandemic makes predictions about its future effects tenuous. However, the historical precedents set by other significant events over the past century, such as the Great Depression or the Great Recession, indicate that we will see an enduring generational impact for graduates entering the workforce.
Academically, the pandemic will prolong the time some students spend in college, delaying their graduations and entrances into the workforce. Other students may end up dropping out entirely, completely derailing their plans. Considering the high levels of job loss we've seen, such outcomes may be especially prevalent for lower-income students who may have been working their way through school or relying on family members to help them with tuition. Students' course work and campus life have also been substantially disrupted. Many students have not been on campus for nearly a year. Any students not already attending online classes last spring endured a sudden, widespread, and unprecedented transition from face-to-face and hybrid classes to synchronous and asynchronous online classes, with varying degrees of success.
Universities are fortunate that the necessary technology currently exists to facilitate such a transition. Most professors achieved enough proficiency with the technology by the end of the 2020 spring semester to meet students' immediate needs. However, as I have heard from many students (and professors), virtual classes are a poor proxy for face-to-face classes, at least in disciplines wherein meaningful interaction is beneficial, as well as for students who need a more focused environment. I fear that a lot of courses sacrificed rigor that will take some time to reestablish. Though students may appreciate easier classes in the short-term, they may end up suffering for that deficiency on the job market.
Professionally, the pandemic likely will impair graduates' careers for years to come. They are entering a workforce that has already shed millions of jobs, and many of them do not have sufficient experience or a specific enough skill set to make them stand out. As jobs return, companies may reach out to the employees they previously dismissed before considering new applicants. Fewer jobs mean more competition for existing jobs and more workers willing to work for lower pay. And those entry-level jobs necessary to support students and recent graduates simply may not be available in many industries such as brick-and-mortar retail, restaurants, hospitality, tourism, and leisure.
Even internships are being rescinded, scaled back, and going virtual. Ultimately, new entrants to the job market should expect fewer jobs, jobs not commensurate with their educational levels, lower salaries, and slower career progression than those entrants from just a couple of years ago. However, applicants would be well advised to consider industries related to health, medicine, logistics, supply chain, and online retail that have proven to be strong during the pandemic.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Program Development Specialists to find work opportunities?
Evan Kraft Ph.D.: If so, I would say that the US Government definitely will need young people. This includes the Treasury Department, Commerce, Agriculture, and even State. The Federal Reserve and its twelve Federal Reserve Banks are excellent employers, offering Research Assistant positions for econ grads. State and local governments also hire plenty of economists.
In the private sector, financial institutions such as banks, insurance companies and investment companies need young people who understand the basics of how the economy works and the financial system. Many of my students have gotten jobs in this sector.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Program Development Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Evan Kraft Ph.D.: In the next few months, I am afraid that we will not see a lot of good economic news. If anything, we can expect more restrictions on people's movements and on business activities that require people to be in close proximity to each other. We probably will not see a lot of good news until the later spring/early summer, when larger numbers of people will have received the vaccines, and better weather allows for more outdoor activity.
Overall, unemployment insurance claims rose last week to 853,000, the highest level since October. To give you an idea of how big that is, in a good economy 200 to 250,000 would be a normal number. And this number represents an increase from recent numbers.
However, there are some companies expanding at the moment. AU grads may be well-equipped to cope with jobs that involve working remotely, using analytical and computer skills. Those parts of the economy that can operate online are chugging on, in some cases growing, while those parts of the economy that operate in-person are having difficulties.
What skills stand out on Program Development Specialist resumes?
Evan Kraft Ph.D.: In general, employers are usually looking for people who can take initiative and responsibility. Specific skills such as computer programming, knowledge of useful software are great, but a job candidate's ability to express themselves, their confidence and ability to communicate, and their interpersonal skills are still very important. The AU degree and specific knowledge students gathered at AU can be a big plus, along with these other qualities.
What skills stand out on Program Development Specialist resumes?
Michael Ward: Doing well in coursework is great, but what sells a job candidate is the initiative in an activity that shows that you have synthesized and applied what you have learned across multiple courses. This is a big ask but, there are plenty of ways to do this. You can join an extra-curricular club, but better is providing the leadership to enhance the club experience. You can take a part-time job, but better is founding a small entrepreneurial business that fills an unmet need. You can write term papers for classes, but better is helping draft and implement action plans for, say, a non-profit. If you have an interest in a hobby, a sport, or an industry, show that you have developed it into an expertise. All resumes include coursework, but activities that demonstrate initiative will stand out.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Program Development Specialists to find work opportunities?
Michael Ward: More dynamic areas provide more opportunities. This applies to regions, to industries, and to skill sets. Since economists excel at problem solving, more dynamic settings provide more opportunities for creative solutions. Dynamic settings are also more receptive to the new solutions economists can identify. This is why so many economists have been courted by Silicon Valley startups. The beauty of economics is it provides an analytical framework in so many areas. The difficulty is that it is up to the job candidate to demonstrate how this framework applies in a particular endeavor.
Narbeli Galindo
Mealman Chair in Business Leadership and Innovation/ Associate Professor of Business and EconomicsBaker University
Business and Economics
What are the best companies to work for a Program Development Specialist?
Narbeli Galindo: In the last five years before joining Baker University as their Mealman of Business Leadership and Innovation chair to develop a new Entrepreneurship program and as Associate Professor of Business and Economics, I worked as the EDC Director of International Trade and Affairs for KCMO. The majority of the companies looking for workers were in several industries: banking, financial services, IT, manufacturing, engineering, health sciences, architecture, arts, non-profit management, and entrepreneurship.
While we are facing a pandemic, some companies have been affected economically to keep their doors open and have had to reduce their workforce, but other companies are actually thriving. In addition to working for Baker, I also run my own consulting firm called GlobalIETrade Consulting LLC, where I continue to work with companies looking to grow locally and globally. Due to my local and global business expansion expertise, I have met and worked with companies looking to hire students or graduates in some key industries such as nursing, banking, manufacturing, IT, and engineering. A couple of examples are companies in manufacturing PPE supplies and in offering IT services. Some of these companies are looking to hire in sales, marketing, software engineering, and business operations.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Program Development Specialists in the next 5 years?
Narbeli Galindo: It is my prediction that in the next few years some of the companies, in the industries I have mentioned above, will have high demand for graduates, who are creative, eager to learn and ready to be train, so they can start to make a difference. As the economy improves and the virus is under control, more companies in industries that were affected, will start looking to hire graduates, who have innovative ideas, so they can help those companies overcome the recent economic downturn.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Program Development Specialists to find work opportunities?
Narbeli Galindo: Kansas city has extensive employment opportunities due to the concentration of numerous industries. These industries include Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, thanks to the Animal Corridor located in both KS & MO. In the fields of Baking and Financial services as well as in manufacturing and logistics, there is growth and a need for skilled and educated workforce. Kansas city offers extensive entrepreneurship resources, such as the Kauffman Foundation, enabling graduates to also start their own businesses.
Johannes Moenius Ph.D.
William R. and S. Sue Johnson Endowed Chair of Spatial Economic Analysis and Regional Planning and Director of the Institute for Spatial Economic Analysis (ISEA) at the University of Redlands School of BusinessUniversity of Redlands
School of Business
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Program Development Specialists?
Johannes Moenius Ph.D.: Almost surely, yes, and for several reasons:
1) There are fewer entry-level jobs where graduates can get basic training to complement their university education.
2) Fewer jobs means lower entry-level pay, so payment trajectories start out at lower levels. This has already been observed after the Great Recession. Those lower-level starts in terms of salaries are hard to ever make up for in the future.
3) Fewer jobs also mean many graduates will likely be forced to work in professions that they did not intend to work for or in and in which only part of their skills developed during their university education will be applicable. Getting back into the original job trajectory they had studied for gets harder with every year they work in a different type of job.
What type of skills will young Program Development Specialists need?
Johannes Moenius Ph.D.: Everyone talks about STEM, soft skills, high levels of expertise, and management. Our own analysis shows that this is likely not going to be correct across the board. Street math (i.e., addition, subtracting, etc.) is already done by calculators everywhere. Not all jobs require higher levels of math. Our research has especially shown that there is substantial regional variation in skill requirements, so there is no one size fits all. However, there are some sets of skills that ranked first in our research almost across the board, specifically, fundamental skills like reading comprehension and writing. Combined with communication skills and entrepreneurial attitudes, these are workforce skills and traits that will be almost universal.
What experience really stands out on Program Development Specialist resumes?
Johannes Moenius Ph.D.: Employers I talked to always tell me as their number one item that they look for graduates who have demonstrated skills and experiences that make them productive from day one. So everything that indicates that a graduate can be gainfully employed right away without much extra training and explanations - things that reduce employers' efforts - is helpful. Complementary to that, our research shows that engagements that show dependability, integrity, and cooperation remain high on the list of signals that employers look for.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Program Development Specialist job market given the pandemic?
C. Jeffrey Waddoups Ph.D.:
The absolute collapse in demand for workers in the hospitality sector, in other sectors where in-person services are provided, and the accompanying economic hardships these workers face.
Also, the change to remote work will permanently alter the way many of us do our jobs.
What skills stand out on Program Development Specialist resumes?
C. Jeffrey Waddoups Ph.D.: Workers must be able to communicate clearly and professionally, and in an era of remote work, this suggests that writing skills are particularly important. Economics graduates are often expected to be good with data and numbers. The pandemic has not changed this.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Program Development Specialists to find work opportunities?
C. Jeffrey Waddoups Ph.D.: The demand for graduates in economics will remain as long as employers need intelligent analytical workers with good communication skills. There is no place in particular where such skills are needed more than any other site.
Theresa Earenfight Ph.D.
Professor of History, Director, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies ProgramSeattle University
History Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Program Development Specialists?
Theresa Earenfight Ph.D.: As a historian of the European Middle Ages, I'm struck by how students this past year have acquired something scarce: historical empathy. The past can seem so remote, so very different from our lived experiences today, and this can make history seem irrelevant. But this fall, I was teaching a section on the bubonic plague, which historians of medicine now know was a global pandemic, not just an epidemic in Europe. Usually, students are fascinated by the gruesome medical details, but not this group.
They did not need or want to look death in the eyes. They wanted to know how did people react? How did they get back to normal? When we ticked off the list of reactions--fear, distrust of science (such as it was in 1348), xenophobia, scapegoating, economic collapse, hoarding supplies, turn to religion, gallows humor about worms crawling about corpses--they got it. When we talked about the aftermath--eat, drink, be merry, and protest the inequality--they got it. That is historical empathy, and I'm sad that this was how it had to be learned, but it will give them broader compassion that can encompass people alive today.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Program Development Specialists?
Dr. Frederick Gordon Ph.D.: Graduate students will need to refocus on the changing institutional role, being both remote and in-person, and impacting agency goals and performance.
What type of skills will young Program Development Specialists need?
Dr. Frederick Gordon Ph.D.: Budgeting skills are essential, as well as apparent, logical written ability.
Nicolle Zellner (on behalf of members of the CSWA)
ChairCommittee on the Status of Women in Astronomy - CSWA
What type of skills will young Program Development Specialists need?
Nicolle Zellner (on behalf of members of the CSWA): I believe (hope) that the effects of the pandemic will be short-lived and that there will be a surge in job opportunities once a vaccine is available. Nevertheless, greater flexibility and versatility in skills are always useful. For example, astronomers who have analyzed large data sets or worked with machine learning algorithms will be in significant demand.
Interdisciplinary studies are also on the rise. New fields like astrobiology are rapidly growing, and there are ripe potentials for researchers with unique combinations of expertise or who can work with broad collaborations spanning disciplines.
With the growth of data, especially from large astronomical surveys, technical skills like computer programming and experience with data science tools and machine learning is increasingly useful. The ability to communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences is a necessity in most fields, and astronomers generally have great relevant experience with community outreach.
Jordan Levy Ph.D.
Associate Professor of AnthropologyPacific Lutheran University
Anthropology Department
What experience really stands out on Program Development Specialist resumes?
Jordan Levy Ph.D.: Any research project where students develop independent research skills. This can be part of the coursework, or part of an internship, or through a summer research assistantship. Anthropology is known for its holistic and comparative perspective and our ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Our qualitative research methods, in particular, have a range of applications. If students can develop interview skills and their capacity to make sense of human behavior, while also pursuing their undergraduate degrees, this knowledge and skill set will be attractive to a range of employers. As the U.S. becomes more diverse, our society will demand a workforce to better understand and interact with people from a range of cultural backgrounds.
What Program Development Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jordan Levy Ph.D.: Some students enter college having taken a "gap year" between high school and university. Any kind of volunteer or work experience that further develops their interpersonal communication skills is beneficial for the range of discussion and small group work that university-level classes require. Some students do service projects in other countries, which is great because they also gain international experiences that contribute to their overall formation as informed global citizens. These experiences can then tell what kinds of classes they take in university and can remain a source of inspiration for what careers they pursue.
Namita Sugandhi Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of AnthropologyHartwick College
Anthropology Department
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Program Development Specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Namita Sugandhi Ph.D.: Documentation and public engagement will remain crucial parts of Anthropological work, and technology that allows us to record, analyze, and share data will continue to be necessary. Over the next several years, it will be essential to find new and innovative ways of connecting virtually to audiences' broader network. This will require the ability to think out-of-the-box and adapt to unique circumstances and new technologies. Technologies that allow people to build relationships across space will continue to transform how we experience social life. Those who are new to the job market will have to master these new virtual strategies of communication and self-promotion and need to understand and navigate the impact of this pandemic on the non-virtual world.
What type of skills will young Program Development Specialists need?
John Marston: Critical thinking, the ability to communicate in writing, and problem-solving skills are essential in archaeology.