Career Advising – Career Advising & Professional Development | MIT

February Career Exploration Events

Qingqing Ouyang — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 23:01:13 +0000

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romance—it’s also a great excuse to invest a little love in your future. This February, CAPD’s Career Exploration events are here to help you explore new paths, meet inspiring professionals, and spark ideas that might just turn into long-term commitments. Whether you’re curious about studying abroad, unconventional career routes, or hands-on industry insights, consider this your sign to swipe right on what’s next.

Thu, Feb 12 | 2:00 PM
Fulbright Virtual Information Session (Virtual)

Wed, Feb 18 | 1:30 PM
Careers in Patent Law for PhDs & Postdocs
In-person, E19-202 (Ford Building)

Mon, Feb 23 | 12:00 PM
Physician Lunch & Learn with Dr. Lucy Shen
In-person, Rogers Building (7)

Mon, Feb 23 | 5:00 PM
Legal Career Options for STEM Students
In-person, Maclaurin Buildings (4)

Tue, Feb 24 | 6:00 PM
Infinite Careers: Francesca DeMeo — Research Scientist at MIT & CEO of NoStove, Inc.
In-person, location TBD

*not on flyer

Wed, Feb 25 | 1:00 PM
Explore Fulbright: Turkey (Türkiye)
In-person, Rogers Building (7)

Fri, Feb 27 | 10:00 AM
How to Succeed in Your Squiggly Career
In-person, Maclaurin Buildings (10)

Fri, Feb 27 | 2:00 PM
Coffee Chats with Alpha AI Engineering (For 1st & 2nd Years)
In-person

2025 CAPD FAQs for Family & Supporters

Kendel Jester — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 15:24:22 +0000

During Campus Preview Weekend 2025’s Parent Programming, members of the CAPD staff shared information with parents and supporters. View the recording and access the presentation below. Also see our FAQ section below for questions we have received from parents and supporters.

Parent Orientation Q&A Session 2025 Download

You may have additional questions that are best answered by our partner offices on campus:

Office of the First Year (OFY): first-year advising & academics, orientation, FPOPs, and/or MIT’s First-Gen Low-Income Program
Student Financial Services (SFS): financial aid, scholarships, student employment, and advising on financial literacy
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP): applying for undergraduate research opportunities, deadlines, eligibility, and funding questions
International Student Office (ISO): visas and travel, employment/work visa authorization, and OPT/CPT

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

How easy is it for first-year students to get an appointment with an advisor?

As soon as students arrive on campus, they can begin booking appointments with anyone on our Career Advising team. Students can book appointments using Handshake.

Should students come to MIT with a draft resume?

Many students come to MIT with a version of their high school resume, or whatever they used to apply to college. Many students also come to campus with no prior resume. As soon as students arrive on campus they can book an appointment using Handshake to meet with a career advisor and work on their resume. In the meantime, we encourage incoming students to review our resume resources.

Where can I find information about major decisions and career pathways?

When it comes to major decisions, it’s important to remember that choosing a major does not limit your student to only one career choice – and vice versa! We encourage students to view our resources on choosing a major, as well as our career interest pages, to start exploring their interests.

How is the connection between current students and alumni? Do alumni easily offer internships or other opportunities to current students?

There is a very strong alumni network at MIT, and there are a number of events and opportunities happening on campus throughout the year for students to connect with alumni. The MIT Alumni Association has a database of alumni contact information that students can access, as well as the Alumni Advisors Hub, which provides students the opportunity to gain one-on-one advising support from alumni on career-related topics.

What is Prehealth Advising?

CAPD’s PreHealth Advising team assist students and alumni in exploring careers in medicine and healthcare, preparing a strong application, and ultimately applying to their desired health profession program. We offer a variety of programs to support undergraduate students in exploring careers in medicine, including a pre-orientation program ‘Discover Prehealth FPOP,’ a first-year discovery subject called Careers in Medicine SP.252, the CAPD Clinical Research Externship, and the MIT Physician Shadowing Program. In addition to these programs, our main way to support MIT students and alumni is through 1-1 advising. Learn more about the ways we assist students and alumni in exploring, preparing, and applying to their desired health profession program here.

What kind of internships do Premed students end up doing at MIT?

Premed students at MIT engage in a variety of internships and other experiential learning opportunities (ELO) specifically UROPs, since we have a high amount of students pursuing an MD/PhD. That said, depending on their long-term goal (research, clinical practice, etc.), students can pursue any internships as long as they also engage in the more important experiences to medical schools like clinical experiences (e.g. shadowing, research or paid-employment in a clinical setting), volunteer experiences, and leadership experiences. Regardless of what field the internship is in, it will still demonstrate a variety of transferable skillsets medical schools desire in an accepted applicant.

Do you see many engineering undergraduates who also pursue Premed?

Yes! About 50% of the applicants accepted to medical school in our 2023 cohort were engineering majors. This includes Biological Engineering (the most common major for premeds), Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and others. The reason this is possible is because MIT’s GIRs (General Institute Requirements) cover more than half of the prerequisites for medical school. This allows any major to apply to medical school without having to ‘overload’ on classes or take additional courses after graduating.

If you’d like to learn more about MIT Prehealth Advising, you can view this video recorded at the 2023 parent information session. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdTAaHpMRIg&t=532s)

Is there tailored advising for students interested in pursuing a JD/law degree?

Within CAPD there is an advisor, Tianna Ransom, who works with students who are interested in Pre-Law. Tianna is a great resource; she has a newsletter with information about upcoming opportunities, and she advises students as they consider a law degree.

Is it possible for an international student to pursue law after MIT?

Yes, law school is possible for international students. The cost of law school is perhaps what would be of the most concern. Our office would work with the student to pursue law school programs that offer generous financial support. You can also explore our resources on preparing for graduate and professional school.

Are there not many students who pursue law after MIT?

We do have a small subset of students who pursue a law degree – many explore patent law and careers that combine STEM and law. Within CAPD there is an advisor who works with students who are interested in Pre-Law. On another note we also have a number of law firms who are interested in recruiting PhDs to work in patent law. If you have specific questions I encourage you to reach out to Tianna Ransom in CAPD.

What’s the fraction of first-years who can land an internship during their first summer?

In our most recent summer experience survey (2021), 33% of first-year respondents reported that they were involved in an internship in their first-year summer. Many students (38%) also do undergraduate research during their first-year summer, and many choose to work part-time jobs, volunteer, or take the summer off.

How do first-years become eligible for internships (or micro-internship) if they don’t possess any prior work experience? What do they put down in their resumes and introductions?

Many first-year students with no prior internship/work experience include experiences like volunteering, leadership, part-time work, sports involvement, and projects (both academic and personal) on their resumes. Experiences like these are a great way to demonstrate transferable skills like leadership, communication, team-work, and problem solving; all of which are valuable in the internship application process. Students can view our resume resources to see examples of first-year resumes and download resume templates to work with.

How do students apply for an internship during IAP (a micro-internship)?

Micro-internships are posted on Handshake, which is a platform that students can use to find and apply for internships/job opportunities. Read more information about micro-internships on our website, including step-by-step instructions for finding and applying to micro-internships on our website, and application deadlines.

Are there unpaid internships for first-year students?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires “for-profit” employers to pay employees for their work. However, there may be unique instances where interns/students may not be “employees” under the FLSA. In instances where a student identifies an opportunity to complete an unpaid or underfunded experience, they may be eligible to seek assistance from other funding sources. Both CAPD’s Career Exploration Fellowships and MIT’s PKG Fellowships, are examples of this.

Is there a lot of competition among MIT students for internships? How do students differentiate themselves?

There is competition among all applicants, not necessarily between MIT students. Though employers are eager to hire students from MIT, provided that the applicant meets all the criteria for the position and interviews well. Students can differentiate themselves by asking for help from CAPD and other mentors in their field.

Any advice on class planning in the first semester/year if a student aims for an internship vs UROP in their first summer?

Whether your student is pursuing internships, UROPs, or other experiential learning opportunities during their first-year summer, we recommend getting acclimated to the rigor of MIT during the first year, while taking classes of interests. Most students do fulfill general requirements during their first academic year, and have the option of applying to both internships and UROPs during this time.

Do internships have to pass some sort of clearance through your office?

Students do not need to work with us to get an internship. However we do encourage them to, so that we can look over their application materials and also answer questions they may have.

Are employers at the fall career fair primarily looking to hire upperclassmen; and are there specific positions just for freshmen?

While some employers are specifically interested in hiring juniors, seniors, and grad students, the Fall Career Fair’s First-Year Friendly (FYF) Initiative supports MIT first year undergraduate students as they transition into the world of career exploration and competitive job markets. Employers registering for the Fall Career Fair are asked to indicate how they would like to engage with first year undergraduate students at the fair and whether they have opportunities that first year undergraduate students are eligible for. Based on the employer’s response, the employer will receive specific labels in Handshake to help students identify employers who are interested in engaging and/or offering opportunities for first-year undergraduates. You can learn more about careers fairs on the CAPD website.

Are there other ways to get an internship besides the career fair?

Most students get their internships by connecting with employers on-campus, whether at the fair or not. The Fall Career Fair is just one recruiting activity. What is nice about the Fall Career Fair is that there is a lot of variety for career exploration, and it is a great opportunity for students to practice their networking skills.

Are most companies recruiting at MIT on the East Coast? How many graduates go to California?

Our graduating student survey (GSS) is a great place to find this information (see Tab 5, under Employment). Top destinations are Boston, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Texas.

How have top employers changed through the last few years?

For internships, top employers have not changed much – most employers still hired the same amount of interns. For full-time hires we have seen an increase in recruitment in Finance/Fintech, Aero, Space, & Transportation, and Government-related roles. We have seen a decline in full-time Bio Pharma, Consulting, and larger Tech companies. That said, there are still thousands of companies who want to hire technical students who have not had a chance to in the past.

Are there pharmaceutical companies around the Boston area that hire students from MIT?

There are many, both large and small, hiring for computer science, biological engineering, data science, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Kendall Square is considered one of the most “innovative” areas in the world.

Do employers typically request faculty recommendations? If so, any suggestions for first-year students on this please?

Typically, no. However, we encourage students to start making meaningful connections with professors early on, because they may need references later on. Attending faculty office hours and doing a UROP are two great ways to do this.

Are there career resources specific to international students?

Our affinity page for international students gives some great information on the additional support in place for this population; and we work closely with the International Students Office (ISO) so that students are choosing appropriate opportunities and getting the support they need throughout the career planning process.

Is it harder for international students to land an internship?

This depends on the industry. International students cannot work for government organizations (e.g. NSA, CIA) as well as companies who might have government contracts, requiring security clearance for new hires. Otherwise, for internships outside of defense/government roles it is absolutely possible for international students to get an internship provided it is related to their major of study. Bottom line, students cannot pursue any off-campus employment (paid or unpaid) without proper authorization from MIT’s International Students’ Office (ISO) or USCIS. We recommend speaking with ISO for any further questions on visa requirements and authorizations.

How do international students go about identifying potential employers at career fairs and on-campus recruiting events?

When employers register to attend the career fair or post positions on Handshake, they are asked to indicate if their jobs 1) require US work authorization, 2) are eligible for US visa sponsorship, and 3) are open to candidates with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT). Applicants are then able to filter opportunities and organizations by these criteria.

Do you have data on students pursuing graduate school at other universities? Which schools do they usually attend and how many students each?

Our Graduating Student Survey has information on the plans of graduates including graduate and professional school.

What are the major considerations between choosing a PhD path or MEng at MIT? Are most students from MEng continuing to PhD after MEng?

Some of the main considerations around choosing to do a MEng vs. a PhD are the students personal/career goals, which they can discuss with a career advisor at any time during the grad school planning process. Some main factors include wanting to pursue industry vs. academic positions, career requirements, and the return on investment.

Are there any master program or career opportunities for students interested in both tech and business?

Master’s degrees in CS, MFin, MBA, and MBAn are all viable options for someone interested in both tech and business. Additionally, many employers are interested in candidates with a CS background who are interested in business.

How to have fun with career development

Erik Pavesic — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 15:23:29 +0000

“A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” – Mary Poppins

Are you feeling a bit stressed about your career? Play may be a good antidote to ward off the negative attributes of stress while helping you feel productive. Finding a job does not have to feel like a full-time job if you take advantage of these different activities and resources:

1. How a pile of LEGO can help you ideate about your career

Honoring MIT’s motto of mens et manus, sometimes you might need to bring your mind and hands together to tackle even your career problems. CAPD hosts events throughout the year bringing together LEGO® Serious Play® to help you with self-reflection, developing your strengths, and meeting goals.

2. Activities to help you find your purpose

If you are struggling to find direction or meaning, sometimes it helps to think about the big picture for your career. These activities are pulled from a variety of sources to help you identify areas that are important to you.

3. Three activities to start networking in a flash

Whether you are proficient in growing and developing your network or not, this collection of activities will help you develop your skillset around introducing yourself, finding connections, and making the most out of your network. For a primer on the essentials of networking, check out our resources on networking and informational interviews.

4. Have fun with major exploration

While these activities are designed with the undeclared undergraduate student in mind, anyone can take advantage of these activities to reflect on what they could do to connect their academic studies to potential career paths and goals. CAPD hosts a variety of resources to help with both choosing a major and career exploration.

5. Creating your five year plan

Even resume writing can be a little fun! The Five-Year resume by Laker and Laker (2007) is a wonderful way to ideate about your future career–think of it as crafting a vision board for your career. Take some time to think about what you want and then develop a SMART strategy for how you might achieve it.

CAPD’s career advisors are here to help–and can help add a little bit more fun to the mix. Meet with a career advisor to discuss some of your thoughts and get connected to additional resources.

How a pile of LEGO can help you ideate about your career

Erik Pavesic — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 15:15:25 +0000

“Innovation is an outcome. Play is a state of mind. Innovation is often what we get when we play.” – Ivy Ross, VP Design for Hardware Products at Google.

It’s time to raid your old toy box! Did you know that CAPD offers workshops and events utilizing LEGO® Serious Play® as a way to help you ideate, prototype, and plan out your career? One way to think about how LSP works is to think about how it is like 3-D printing what is on your mind. You can use LEGO bricks to explore topics through story, metaphor, and symbols. Thinking about how what you build comes together both literally and figuratively can offer you some unique insights into your needs—and is a lot of fun to do while you’re doing it!

CAPD has hosted a variety of workshops to help you reflect on how your values and strengths come together to provide a more holistic idea of what you are looking for in your future career.

Build towards your goal

Where are you now and where do you want to be? And how do you bridge the gap between them? Using your LEGO bricks, create an idea of where you are at this moment. Ask yourself:

Who am I?
What is important to me?
What resources do I have at my disposal?

Next, spend time thinking about a goal you have. Be as elaborate or concise as you need to be, but feel free to reach far out into the future. After all, how do you build a humongous LEGO® Castle? One brick at a time. So, dream big! This process is designed to help you break down your goals into more manageable steps.

As you continue to play with the pieces, think about how you might bridge the divide between where you are now and the distal goal you are hoping to achieve. Ask yourself:

How can I break this distal goal into smaller, more proximal goals?
In what ways do I still need to grow or develop on my way towards this goal?
What are potential barriers I will encounter, and how might I overcome those?
What resources might I need to rely on as I pursue this goal?
How will I celebrate achieving my goal?

As you build, note down things that you may need to do. Create a checklist to accompany the wishlist that is your goal. With some effort (along with the play) you should be able to reach any goal you design.

Build to a purposeful career

What makes a career purposeful? This self-reflection activity can be done individually or with other. After finding your top values, we encourage you to build a representation of your values using LEGO bricks.

As you create a representation of each value, here are some questions that you can ask yourself:

How does my build reflect me?
What is my favorite part of my build? Why?
If what I built could talk, what would it say?
What did I learn about myself from this exercise?

Once you have built representations of your top values, try to integrate them together into a holistic representation of you as an individual. Your build does not have to look anything like you, but through this exercise you will hopefully uncover:

Your top priorities
Potential barriers to avoid in your career
Specific resources or supports you might need
Some things you can do immediately to make the most out of your career

If you have done this activity with others, be sure to take time to inquire deeper with each other about what you each built. Sometimes it is beneficial to get the perspectives of others to harness deeper meaning into what you have built.

Build your talents into strengths

Claim your strengths! If you have taken the Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment (which you can seek access to from CAPD), you can use your top-5 report to play with your talent themes to help you name, claim, and aim your strengths using LEGO pieces. You can take this activity as a solo exercise, or you can start to see how collaborating with others can help you merge your strengths together to get some surprising results!

Building each of your strengths individually, and then merging them together, can help you uncover some of the theme dynamics that make your top-5 a unique approach specific to you. These can become your superpower with the right amount of investment and dedication.

Once you have built your strengths, either as an individual or as participant in a group, try to think about how you might lean on your strengths to:

Build relationships
Communicate clearly
Create accountability
Develop or inspire others
And more!

Even after you have built your strengths, spend time ideating how you will continue to use your strengths each and every day.

Not sure if any of these activities are right for you? No worries! A principal component of LSP is to not get stuck in your thoughts—let the bricks and pieces guide you. Develop a bias for action and start building something. As you play you may start to unlock news ways of thinking about a problem or see information in a new way.

Erik Pavesic is the Assistant Director of Career Advising & Training and in addition to being a certified Gallup Strengths coach is also trained as a LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator.

CAPD Virtual Orientation

Kendel Jester — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 13:19:55 +0000

Start here. Go anywhere.

When it comes to planning for your career, you may know exactly where you’re headed. You may have ideas that you’re excited to explore. Or maybe you’re not even sure where to start. And that’s ok. MIT Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD) is your hub for all things career, from thinking big-picture about your life goals and career path to researching internships and preparing for interviews. Our team can help you.

No matter where in the world you are starting your MIT-journey, I’d like to offer a welcome from Career Advising & Professional Development (or CAPD). My name is Kendel Jester and I am the Assistant Director of Early Career Engagement. Through this virtual orientation, I hope to cover how CAPD can support and help you navigate your future academic and professional career.

To get started, here is a list of things you can do right now to jump-start your career development. Select the item below to jump to that page.

Hear about services offered by CAPD
Sign-up for Handshake
Schedule an appointment
Register for a career event
Stay connected to CAPD
Learn about additional resources

Hear About Services
You may think of us as the place to get your resume looked at, or to prepare for an interview, but there is a lot more to us than that! Career Advising & Professional Development has teams to support Career Counseling and Education, Employer Relations, Pre-Health Advising, Distinguished Fellowships, and Professional Development. Our mission is to empower students, postdocs and alumni to explore their life and career goals by helping them to develop core competencies and build professional networks. Our goal is to engage students and alumni in self-discovery to craft lives that are intellectually challenging, personally enriching, and of service to the world. And we are available to help all MIT students. If you don’t see a service you need, don’t be afraid to ask.

Regardless of where you find yourself in your career development, we encourage you to look through the resources and support available on capd.mit.edu and Handshake.

What would you like to learn about next? Select the item below to jump to that page.
Sign-up for Handshake
Handshake is CAPD’s online career management tool, accessible by all current MIT students. If you have a Kerberos account, you can access Handshake. To get started, visit: mit.joinhandshake.com and use touchstone to login. You will be asked to complete questions to fill out your profile. These questions are voluntary and will help the system recommend jobs, events, and resources for you. You can also edit or modify these later. You may also want to spend time updating your profile, uploading your resume, and searching through all of the different menus and options available to get a sense of how to best utilize this tool throughout your time at MIT. You will find that Handshake is a great tool to find internships and jobs, research and connect with employers, schedule appointments with CAPD staff, and much more.

What would you like to learn about next? Select the item below to jump to that page.
Schedule an Appointment
CAPD staff are all able to support you with a variety of career-related questions. Whether you are certain about pursuing industry or academia, uncertain about what you would like to do, or find yourself at any point somewhere in the middle, CAPD is able to help you navigate your needs. CAPD appointments are a great way to get tailored support on topics including major selection, job/internship search strategies, resume writing, cover letter writing, interview preparation, salary/offer negotiation, medical/graduate school, and more. Appointments vary in length, but most are between 30 minutes to an hour to accommodate your schedule. And appointments are offered year round. To schedule an appointment click on “Career Center” in Handshake. There you will see a button for Appointments and can schedule a new appointment. You will select the type of appointment you need and can see available time spots. If you have an urgent need or do not find a time that works for your schedule, email capd@mit.edu to find possible options.

What would you like to learn about next? Select the item below to jump to that page.
Register for a Career Event
CAPD hosts speakers, panels, networking events, and workshops. Some of these are offered directly by employers and are a great opportunity to explore and connect with others to aid with your career development. Here is some information about how to find events on Handshake. First, go to the Events section of Handshake. Here you can search through different events. Many events require registration in advance, so make sure you sign up. Some events are employer sponsored and are listed on Handshake only because they may be of interest to members of the MIT community. The inclusion of any activity does not indicate MIT sponsorship or endorsement of that activity or event. If you sign up and realize later that due to a conflict you are no longer able to participate, remember to either remove your registration or email the organizer to let them know that you will no longer be able to attend. Some events may be capped, so releasing your spot may help a fellow student be able to participate.

What would you like to learn about next? Select the item below to jump to that page.
Stay Connected to CAPD
You may be feeling overwhelmed by all of the information you have available to you, and so allow us to help you stay connected in a way that works with your schedule. All first years will begin to receive a bi-weekly newsletter of First-Year-friendly CAPD events, internships, and resources delivered right to your inbox. I try hard not to spam you, so please keep on this list for exciting events all-year-round. We also have specific newsletters for students interested in pre-health and pre-law, and you can sign-up for these on the CAPD website. You may also want to follow-us on Social Media. You can follow CAPD at MITCareers on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Likewise, you may want to periodically adjust your notifications through Handshake. Here is a guide to help you navigate how to make those adjustments.

What would you like to learn about next? Select the item below to jump to that page.
Learn about Additional Resources
Don’t go yet there’s more, and this is incredibly manageable. You may have already seen the additional resources available on Handshake and the CAPD website, but let me point out some specific resources that can come in handy all throughout your time at MIT:
1. The CAPD Handbook – A book that provides great tools to help you navigate your career. Through 70 pages, we have tools to help you choose a major, write a resume, prepare for an interview, and more. You can get a handbook when you come for an appointment with a career advisor. However, we also have these same resources right on our website when you go to the Resources & Advice page.
2. Survey Data – If you’re curious about your peers, CAPD collects information about summer experiences and post-graduation plans. I highly recommend that you review this information to help you think about different pathways you would consider for your career trajectory.
3. Guided Assessments – CAPD staff can also help you navigate other assessment tools. There are staff members trained in the MBTI, Strengths Finder, and the Strong Interest Inventory. To learn more about guided assessment, visit our website.
What would you like to learn about next? Select the item below to jump to that page.
Conclusion
Congratulations! If you completed this virtual orientation, you are well equipped to find the support you need for your personal career development. We look forward to seeing you at Orientation events in August and September, and in the meantime, feel free to revisit any of these topics:
You can also go on our website or on Handshake for information and support at any time. Welcome again to MIT!

Handshake 101: What it is & how to use it*

Lydia Huth — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 14:12:16 +0000

CAPD is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for everyone we serve. If you need any disability-related accommodations to access Handshake, please email capd@mit.edu and our staff will be happy to set up appointments or assist in navigating other Handshake resources.

* If you arrived here from the self-registration page in Handshake, please scroll to the bottom to complete the required form.

Important: Self-registered Handshake accounts will be deleted without notice, even if the form is completed, as stated on the Handshake self-registration page. Accounts for cross-registered students, exchange students, and spouses/partners are not permitted and will not be approved.

What is Handshake?

Handshake is an online career management system — in other words, it’s a website where you can find job and internship listings, upcoming events to build your career, and helpful resources from around MIT. The platform was built around the belief that software could help democratize career opportunities, equalizing access to meaningful careers.

All MIT undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and recent alumni have access to the platform.

Here’s how to make an appointment with CAPD through Handshake.

Why use Handshake?

It’s a powerful job and internship platform featuring millions of opportunities posted by thousands of employers, many of whom are actively seeking MIT talent.
Since Handshake is designed for students, postdocs, and recent alumni, employers come to Handshake looking for people with your exact level of experience.
The events and resources on Handshake are vetted by CAPD and MIT’s Career Centers, and you’re able to filter everything by your specific interests.
We schedule appointments through Handshake, so your account will let you to connect with CAPD experts. Use Handshake to set up appointments with our career advisors, Distinguished Fellowships staff, and Prehealth Advising team.

Learn more:

In your first years on campus, use Handshake to find internship and job postings, learn about events that can help your explore career paths, and find resources from MIT’s career centers. If you plan to start working after your senior year, Handshake lets you find great job opportunities that are filtered by your skills and experience.

Once your profile is set up, Handshake’s filtering and machine learning start working for you. Thanks to the filters, it’s easy to find job listings, internship opportunities, events, and resources that are created with graduate students and postdocs in mind. To save time, you can also sign up for Handshake’s automatic alerts that notify you when new postings might interest you. You can also use Handshake to set up appointments with the CAPD staff who specialize in serving your classification.

If you’re a recent alumni, CAPD’s resources are still available to you, including Handshake’s catalogue of opportunities and appointment scheduler. All you have to do is log in and start searching!

CAPD is not the only MIT department or program using Handshake. There are over 15 different departments or programs with “career centers.” This means that career related events, jobs, and other opportunities offered by the following MIT departments and programs can also be found in Handshake.

Biological Engineering
Center for Quantum Engineering (CQE)
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry Department
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)
Materials Science and Engineering (DMSE)
MISTI
MIT.nano
Physics
PKG Center for Public Service
Sloan Career Development Office
Sloan Undergraduate
Supply Chain Management Program
System Design & Management (SDM) and Integrated Design & Management (IDM)
Terrascope
The MechE Alliance
Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program (UPOP)

Please see additional information for faculty or staff member looking to utilize Handshake.

How do I use Handshake?

Getting started on Handshake is easy, and you can use it on your computer or your mobile device. To set up your profile, visit joinhandshake.com and log in with your MIT email address. Handshake provides a detailed walkthrough of getting your account set up to help you begin.

To get the most out of Handshake, be sure to complete your profile.

Since Handshake uses machine learning to understand your interests, your feed of opportunities will be better-matched when your profile is complete and you’re actively using the site.

These articles can help as you create your profile:

Create job alerts to get updates straight to your email or app’s push notifications.

To stay posted on new opportunities, set up Handshake’s automated job alerts. You select the searches that you want to watch and how you want to receive updates, so the notifications stay relevant.

Let us know if you cannot access your account, or if you need an account.

You can reach us to register for, or inquire about, your Handshake account through our form. To find out if the form will be helpful for you, check details for your affiliation in the listing below.

Please email capd@mit.edu if you have any questions or concerns about the process.

CAPD staff monitor this form, so please be aware that there will be a delay if it’s filled out outside of business hours or during an Institute closing.

As an alum within 6 months of graduation, you only need to update your Handshake account with your new email.

You can “add another email” with these steps:
1. Log into Handshake
2. Click your initials or photo in the top right-hand corner
3. Settings
4. “Add another email”

It’s that easy. With your Handshake account, you can continue to participate in workshops, presentations, career fairs, job applications, and more!

If you graduated before 2018 and never had a Handshake account with MIT, please fill out the form below. It was designed for you and we want you to have access to the events, employers, jobs, internships and more!

If you graduated after 2018, you should have an existing MIT Handshake account. Please feel free to complete the form and we will help you gain access to your account, or create an account for you if one does not exist.

All students are given a Handshake account within two (2) weeks of starting/registering for classes. Please go to the Handshake and sign in using your MIT email and SSO.

If you are having trouble accessing your account, please fill out the form below. Please DO NOT use Handshake to request an account.

All postdocs are given a Handshake account within two (2) weeks of starting work. Please go to the Handshake and sign in using your MIT email and SSO.

If you are having trouble accessing your account, please fill out the form below. Please DO NOT use Handshake to request an account.

This form is specifically designed for students, postdocs, and alumni of MIT. If you are a member of the MIT faculty or staff seeking to use Handshake, please refer to our guide for departmental access to Handshake. It provides comprehensive information on how to gain access to Handshake.

Handshake Account Request Form

C.H.A.O.S.: Planning for the Unplannable

Alexis Boyer — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 13:02:23 +0000

Graduate studies can feel a lot like chaos. There’s a lot going on between research, teaching, clubs, and activities. How can you stay focused and centered with so much going on? Will you ever have time to reflect on how you got here? How can you plan your next steps while taking on so much?

These are important questions, and C.H.A.O.S. can help! C.H.A.O.S. is a tool developed at MIT for MIT graduate students. It’s an acronym for a non-linear design thinking process (and a handy mnemonic device) that will help you find patterns and order within the chaos.

You can use it now to take stock of how things are going (see the exercise below), you can use it to reflect on the past and tell the story of what brought you to MIT, or you can use it to think ahead and plan for what comes next.

C.H.A.O.S. stands for Characterize, Hone, Affirm, Optimize, Success. Click each element to learn more about them.

Characterize asks you to think about your skills, interests, and values. This element of the process will help you name what matters to you, identify misalignments, and recalibrate when necessary. Check out some quick and free self-assessments from ImaginePhD and/or MyIDP.

Hone means to sharpen, and that’s exactly what this element asks you to do. Identify some small goals that will help you move towards a bigger vision of success or do some exploration so you can eliminate trajectories that don’t appeal.

Affirm requires you to use all of your research skills and apply them in a more personal way. Gather as much information as you can from peers, colleagues, alumni, and mentors to make sure you’re making the best decisions you can for yourself. MIT has some excellent resources to help you connect. Learn more about Networking and build connections using the Alumni Advisors Hub.

Optimize asks you to check in with yourself. Ask if/how things have changed over time, or consider what you need to help you move closer to your vision of success. You might optimize by determining a checkpoint at which you can evaluate and adjust your plans based on the latest information.

Success is an ever-evolving notion that you must define and redefine for yourself; it has more than one meaning, and you can hold many visions of success together simultaneously. Recognizing the fluid nature of success will help you overcome setbacks more quickly and reset your goals as needed.

The C.H.A.O.S. Difference

Unlike traditional, linear career development plans, C.H.A.O.S. anticipates directional changes and bumps in the road. Don’t let a little chaos catch you off guard. It’s all part of the journey, and you can handle it!

Choosing a major: Worksheet

Erik Pavesic — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 19:46:23 +0000

Want more resources and advice? Check out our curated page for considering which majors might be right for you.

How to write an effective cover letter (with samples)

Kendel Jester — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 12:14:09 +0000

You will have to prepare a number of materials for employers while looking for a job. One type of document is the cover letter, which is included with your resume when requesting a job interview. An effective cover letter is directed towards a specific position or company, and describes examples from your experience that highlight your skills related to the role.

You want to convince the reader that your interest in the job and company are genuine and specific. You also want to demonstrate ways that your experience has prepared you for the role by sharing a few brief stories that highlight your qualifications. This takes time and research; use the job description and the company’s web site or LinkedIn page to identify traits and skills the company values.

Cover letter structure and format

A cover letter should be no longer than one page with a font size between 10-12 points. Be sure to include your contact information and address it directly to the hiring manager, using their name. If you are not sure who to address the letter to, write “Dear Hiring Manager.” If the role you are applying for has a reference number or code, be sure to include it in your letter so that human resources is able to accurately track your application. The reference code is usually included

Cover letters typically take the following structure:

State clearly in your opening sentence the purpose for your letter and a brief professional introduction.
Specify why you are interested in that specific position and organization.
Provide an overview of the main strengths and skills you will bring to the role.

Example: I am a second year master’s student in MIT’s Technology and Policy Program (TPP) writing to apply for a consulting position in Navigant’s Emerging Technology & Business Strategy group. After speaking with John Smith at the MIT career fair, I realized that Navigant’s values of excellence, continuous development, entrepreneurial spirit, and integrity align with the principles that guide me every day and that have driven me throughout my career. Moreover, I believe that my knowledge of the energy sector, passion for data analysis, polished communication skills, and four years of consulting experience will enable me to deliver superior value for Navigant’s clients.

Cite a couple of examples from your experience that support your ability to be successful in the position or organization.
Try not to simply repeat your resume in paragraph form, complement your resume by offering a little more detail about key experiences.
Discuss what skills you have developed and connect these back to the target role.

Example: As a graduate student in MIT’s Technology and Policy Program, I spend every day at the cutting edge of the energy sector. In my capacity as an MIT Energy Initiative research assistant, I use statistical analysis to investigate trends in public acceptance and regulation related to emerging energy technologies. Graduate classes in data science, energy economics, energy ventures and strategy, and technology policy have prepared me to help Navigant offer the expert services that set it apart from competitors. Furthermore, I will bring Navigant the same leadership skills that I used as the student leader for the MIT Energy Conference’s Technology Commercialization round-table, and as the mentorship manager for the MIT Clean Energy Prize.

Even before MIT, my four years of work experience in consulting—first at LMN Research Group and then at XYZ Consulting—allowed me to develop the skillset that Navigant looks for in candidates. As a science writer and policy analyst at LMN Research Group, I developed superb technical writing and visual communication skills, as well as an ability to communicate and collaborate with clients at federal agencies such as EPA and DOE. As a research analyst at XYZ Consulting, I developed an in-depth understanding of data analysis, program evaluation, and policy design.

Restate succinctly your interest in the role and why you are a good candidate.
Thank the reader for their time and consideration.

Example: I take pride in my skills and experience in several domains: critical thinking and analysis, communication, and leadership. I note that Navigant values these same ideals, and I very much hope to use my abilities in service of the firm and its clients. Thank you for your time and consideration, I look forward to speaking with you further about my qualifications.

Additional cover letter tips

Be sure that each cover letter is specifically tailored to the company you are writing to. Research the company to help you determine your approach. Check the company’s website and other resources online. You can also use MIT’s extensive alumni network through the Alumni Advisors Hub to seek first-hand knowledge, advice, and insight about the company.
Are you seeking a position in a field or industry that does not have an obvious parallel or connection to your academic training? Be explicit about why you are interested in that particular field, organization or job, and what value you bring. For example, if you are an electrical engineer applying to a finance or consulting position, highlight your quantitative skills and ability to problem-solve.
If you are applying for a summer job or internship and do not yet have any experience that is directly related to the position, focus on transferable skills that will add value to the role – leadership, communication, problem-solving, project management, etc.
Lastly, cover letters are a chance to demonstrate the communication skills necessary to most jobs. Careful composing and revision are essential. To put your best foot forward and ensure your cover letter will be effective, watch this video on writing a cover letter and schedule an appointment with a CAPD career advisor.

Working on your resume or other career documents?

Learn about resumes, CVs, portfolios, and other career writing.

Values Card Sort

Erik Pavesic — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 17:37:56 +0000

What is most important to you? What do you value? Identifying your values may help you focus and prioritize your career planning and development. These values can also help you refine your search and in choosing between offers. For in-person appointments, Career Advisors can help you with identifying your values.

Think2Perform provides an online version of a values card sort exercise that can help as well.