SOAN Summer Student Research Assistant Dance Education -Skill Transfer Study

SOAN Summer Student Research Assistant Dance Education Life‑Skill Transfer Study

Northfield, MN, United States

Job Title:

Summer Research Assistant Dance Education Life‑Skill Transfer Study

Classification:
Student Employee (non‑exempt)

Name and Address of

Employer:

St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Ave, Northfield, MN 55057

Department Name: SOAN

Length of Position: 20‑30 hrs each, June 1‑Aug 15, 2026

Contact Person/Supervisor:
Andrea Conger

Wage Range: $12.50/hour

Description of the Position:
Seeking 2 detail‑oriented and motivated student Research Assistants (RA) to support a faculty‑led study investigating the post‑graduate trajectories of college dance students. This project aims to capture a comprehensive picture of how dance training—for both majors and non‑majors—impacts professional lives, creative practices, enhances durable and transferable skills, and opens unique career paths after graduation.

This summer the RAs will play a critical role in the foundational phase of this study, moving from theoretical background research to the practical creation of a data‑collection instrument.

This position offers students a chance to apply the theoretical lens of the social sciences to the lived reality of the arts. Transferable skills include instrument design, data literacy, and IRB/Ethics Training/Use, as well as honing of literature synthesis, ethnographic insight, and demographic analysis. Students will also employ project management skills, interdisciplinary translation of knowledge, and a real‑world experience with using data for advocacy and impact reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Background Research & Literature Review:
  Conduct comprehensive searches of academic databases to identify existing studies on arts alumni, career portability, and the "gig economy" in dance.
• Survey Development:
  Assist in drafting, refining, and formatting a digital survey instrument (e.g., via Qualtrics or Survey Monkey).
• Data Strategy:
  Help identify key metrics and variables necessary to capture the experiences of both professional dancers and those who have transitioned into non‑arts sectors.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in academic research databases (JSTOR, EBSCO, etc.).
• Experience with, or strong interest in, Quantitative or Qualitative social science research methods.
• Highly organized with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Background in Dance, Performing Arts, Sociology, or Education (preferred).
• Familiarity with survey design software (preferred).
• Understanding of the diverse career paths available to arts students (preferred).
• CITI Training (Human Subjects Research) (preferred).