60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Career Connections Evaluation, 174 [2020-29050]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 1 (Monday, January 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-29050]



[[Page 174]]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 11288]


60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Career 
Connections Evaluation

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. 
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are 
requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals 
and organizations. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for 
public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.

DATES: The Department will accept comments from the public up to March 
5, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by the following method:
     Web: Persons with access to the internet may comment on 
this notice by going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the 
document by entering ``Docket Number: DOS-2020-0055'' in the Search 
field. Then click the ``Comment Now'' button and complete the comment 
form.
    You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information 
collection title, and the OMB control number in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and 
supporting documents, may be sent to Natalie Donahue, Chief of 
Evaluation, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, who may be 
reached at (202) 632-6193 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: Career Connections 
Evaluation.
     OMB Control Number: None.
     Type of Request: New collection.
     Originating Office: Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA/
P/V).
     Form Number: No form.
     Respondents: Career Connections program alumni, small 
sample of American alumni, and seminar presenters.
     Estimated Number of Alumni Survey Respondents: 3,125.
     Estimated Number of Alumni Survey Responses: 313.
     Average Time per Alumni Survey: 20 minutes.
     Total Estimated Alumni Survey Burden Time: 104.33 hours.
     Estimated Number of Alumni Key Informants: 45.
     Average Time per Alumni Interview: 1 hour.
     Total Estimated Alumni Interview Burden Time: 45 hours.
     Estimated Number of Seminar Presenter Key Informants: 15.
     Average Time per Seminar Presenter Interview: 0.75 hour.
     Total Estimated Seminar Presenter Interview Burden Time: 
11.25 hours.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 160.58 annual hours.
     Frequency: Once.
     Obligation to Respond: Voluntary.
    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost 
burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are 
public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you 
should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your 
personal information, will be available for public review.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

    The Career Connections program is managed by the Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) Office of Alumni Affairs OAA. 
Started in 2019, the Career Connections program brings together 
American alumni (18-35 years old) of U.S. Government-sponsored exchange 
programs with expert career coaches, professionals from diverse fields, 
and international leaders to help alumni market their international 
exchange experiences. Delivered as two-day seminars across the country, 
the Career Connections program provides invaluable networking 
opportunities for U.S. alumni with leaders in their communities with 
activities including: Resume-building, developing a personal brand, 
translating skills gained through the exchange experience, developing 
an online presence, and networking to develop connections with fellow 
alumni and expert speakers alike.
    ECA's Evaluation Division will undertake an internal evaluation of 
the Career Connections program. The purpose of this evaluation is to 
inform the next iteration of the award with participant-driven 
recommendations on how to strengthen the Career Connections program. 
The Evaluation Division will survey participants of Career Connections 
participants along with a small sample of alumni that have not 
participated in seminars, as well as conduct key-informant interviews 
with alumni and seminar presenters.

Methodology

    As existing project monitoring data does not cover the topics being 
investigated sufficiently, it is necessary to collect information 
directly from program alumni to fully understand how the Career 
Connections program can be strengthened and what the immediate outcomes 
for participants are. While alumni who have participated in the Career 
Connections program will receive an online survey, a small number will 
also be invited to participate in individual interviews to explore key 
issues in greater depth. The survey will also be sent to a small sample 
of alumni that have not participated in Career Connections seminars to 
understand why they haven't participated and how they could be enticed 
to in the future. Finally, as ECA wishes to understand best practices 
in professional development training, a small group of seminar 
presenters will be invited to participate in individual interviews to 
discuss what they feel could be strengthened.

Aleisha Woodward,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Bureau of Educational and 
Cultural Affairs, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2020-29050 Filed 12-31-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P