What a Senior Behavioral Designer at Behavioral Design Firm Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Behavioral Science Industry
Marisa, a Senior Behavioral Designer, advises aspiring behavioral scientists to understand the diverse ecosystem encompassing academia, design firms, internal "nudge units," and the private sector before entering the field. The key is carefully reviewing job descriptions to discern whether a role prioritizes research, communication, design, or a blend of skills, as the understanding and application of behavioral science varies significantly across organizations, with "a lot of jobs that used to be messaging focused are now behavior change focused".
Behavioral Science, Career Paths, Job Search Strategies, Communication Skills, Industry Knowledge
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Marisa Nowicki
Senior Behavioral Designer
Behavioral Design Firm
University of North Texas
Carnegie Mellon University: Masters in Public Policy and Management (MSPPM), 2019
Medical, Sciences & Related, Psychology
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Consulting
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. The behavioral science field has a diverse ecosystem encompassing research, academia, design firms, internal nudge units, advisory roles, and the private sector (UX design).
2. Starting in a behavioral science firm or nudge unit is often beneficial, providing opportunities to learn from colleagues and collaborate. Later, transitioning to a specialist role might be a suitable next step.
3. Carefully review job descriptions as the understanding and application of behavioral science varies widely across organizations; clarity on daily tasks and responsibilities is crucial before accepting a role. Consider whether a role is research-heavy, communication-focused, design-oriented, or a blend of skills.
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
I wish I had known more about the ecosystem of behavioral science opportunities and where they exist. For example, there's research and academia, where people test cognitive biases and submit their findings to peer-reviewed journals.
You also have behavioral science design firms, which is what I do. My team and I work with partners to apply behavioral science methodologies to their problem-solving.
Then there are internal "nudge units." These are teams of behavioral scientists within organizations that aren't behavioral science focused. You might find them in government agencies, the World Bank, or nonprofits like Save the Children.
You could also be an advisor or a specialist, which is more like my previous role as a behavior change specialist within a research organization. Lastly, there's the private sector, often listed as UX, user experience design, user experience research, or user experience service delivery.
When approaching this field, it's important to figure out what makes sense for you personally. I'm biased, but I think starting as a behavioral scientist within a firm where your colleagues, and ideally the organization, are in behavioral science makes the most sense.
It can be incredibly hard to be a specialist. You need to stay up-to-date with your knowledge and have strong science communication skills to explain complex subjects to those outside your field. In my current role, I learn so much from my colleagues daily and have great opportunities for insight exchange.
So, if you're just starting out, I recommend looking at behavioral science firms, nudge units, or research labs in academia. You can become a specialist later, once you've gained expertise and can offer one-on-one advice.
Also, read job descriptions very carefully. Behavioral science is relatively new, and different organizations have different ideas about what it entails. For instance, in international development, roles that used to focus on communications for development or social and behavior change communication are now shifting to social behavior change.
However, some job descriptions might still be messaging-focused, even if they're now looking for behavior change expertise, or they might be seeking a data analyst with some psychology experience. It's crucial to identify what you'll be doing day-to-day, as this can vary greatly within the ecosystem and even within specific companies.
Clarify if the role is research-heavy, communication-focused, or design-oriented, like a UX designer. Understand your desired skills and whether you want to specialize or do a bit of everything. Gauge the organization's understanding of behavioral science to ensure you're aligned on responsibilities before accepting a position.