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 If the position requires the student to work off campus, provide the name and address here: 

Department Name: SOAN 

Unit Number (5 digits):  

Length of Position: See Employment Authorization 20-30 hrs each, June 1-Aug 15, 2026 Contact Person/Supervisor: Andrea Conger 

Wage Range: $12.50/hour

Description of the Position: (Purpose 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. 

Transferable Skills: 

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 SurveyMonkey). 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. 

Qualifications: (Education/Experience/Skills) 

Required: 

∙ Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

∙ Proficiency in academic research databases (JSTOR, EBSCO, etc.). 

∙ Experience with, or a strong interest in, Quantitative or Qualitative social science  research methods. 

∙ Highly organized with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines. 

Preferred: 

∙ Background in Dance, Performing Arts, Sociology, or Education. 

∙ Familiarity with survey design software. 

∙ An understanding of the diverse career paths available to arts students. 

∙ CITI Training (Human Subjects Research) 

This job description is for general information purposes. It is not intended to list all duties and  responsibilities of the position. This job description is subject to change at any time by St. Olaf  College, with or without prior notice.