Welcome to our Student Resources for Careers in Public Service and Social Impact, designed to provide valuable tools and guidance for students aspiring to pursue a career in public service!
Explore essential resources on job search strategies, career paths, networking opportunities, and advice from professionals in the field.
Whether you’re interested in government work, non-profits, social impact organizations, or making an impact in an industry job, we offer resources to help you navigate the diverse and rewarding world of public service.
Page navigation:
- Finding a job
- Finding a job in social impact
- Career Fairs and Events
- External job boards and resources
Finding a job
MIT Career Advising and Professional Development (CAPD) is MIT’s hub for career advising, distinguished fellowships advising, pre-health advising, and professional development support. CAPD works across the Institute to connect students, postdocs, and alumni with resources and support that empower them to build a rewarding career that makes a difference in the world.
CAPD Resources & Advice include…
- Getting started & exploring careers
- Gaining experience & the job search
- Resumes & career writing
- Interviewing
- Job offers & negotiation
- Academic pathways
The MIT Alumni Association (MITAA) supports alum career exploration and transition by offering tools, programs, and tailored content on trending career topics and industries of interest.
MIT Alumni Association resources include…
- Career events & programs
- Career advising & networking
- Job board for MIT alums and postdocs
- MIT-specific tools for job searches and career changes
- Online alumni directory
MIT Alumni Advisors Hub is an online platform that facilitates meaningful, one-to-one career consultations with advice seekers and advice givers for career conversations (informational interviews), resume critiques, and mock interviews.
MIT Alumni Advisors Hub resources include…
- One-to-one career advising with MIT alum
- Information, guidance, and career insights from those in your desired field
- Practice interviews
- Resume critiques
Finding a job in social impact
MIT Career Advising and Professional Development (CAPD) is MIT’s hub for career advising, distinguished fellowships advising, prehealth advising, and professional development support. CAPD offers specific resources for those seeking a career in social impact.
Social impact careers span across many disciplines and industries. These careers involve doing work that has a positive impact. You might work for:
- a non-profit consulting company
- the government analyzing renewable energy usage
- a research institution finding cures for rare diseases
- an academic institution providing educational opportunities to historically excluded groups
- a large tech company using AI to make products more accessible
Want to learn more about careers in Social Impact? Schedule an appointment with CAPD’s Assistant Director of Career Exploration, Tianna Ransom. Tianna can help you explore and achieve your Social Impact career goals.
Tianna Ransom
Assistant Director, Career Exploration
Are you interested in learning more about Social Impact opportunities in government related work? Many students are interested in pursuing work in government or at the intersection of government after graduating from MIT. It can be difficult to find these opportunities if you do not already have connections with a government agency.
Career fairs & events
Throughout the academic year, MIT hosts and collaborates on over a dozen career fairs and large recruiting events. The array of career fairs are designed to provide a wide range of opportunities for students to connect with different industries, explore careers, and apply to internships, jobs and research opportunities.
External job boards and resources
The Responsible Tech Careers & Job Board by All Tech Is Human connects individuals with career opportunities in fields like Responsible AI, Trust & Safety, Tech & Democracy, and Public Interest Technology. It serves as a central resource for those seeking to drive positive change within the tech industry by aligning technology with the public interest.
The 80,000 Hours Job Board offers over 800 high-impact roles in areas such as AI safety, biosecurity, global health, and climate change. Designed for individuals aiming to align their careers with solving the world’s most pressing problems, it provides opportunities to build career capital and make meaningful contributions to global challenges.
80,000 Hours also offers free, personalized 1:1 career advising to individuals aiming to make a significant positive impact through their work. This service assists users in evaluating high-impact career paths, connecting with experts and hiring managers, and navigating uncertainties regardless of their career stage.
The Technology & Data Management Job Board on Work for Good connects mission-driven professionals with technology and data roles in the nonprofit and social impact sectors. It features a range of positions—from IT operations and data analytics to systems administration and digital strategy—offered by organizations committed to advancing social good.
Public Job Solutions connects mission-driven professionals with opportunities in research, civic technology, data analytics, and public policy across universities, nonprofits, and state and local governments. The platform aims to accelerate public innovation by bridging academic research and real-world policy impact.
