Social Impact, Policy, & Law

Interested in pursuing a future in Social Impact, Policy, and Law? Find resources, events, opportunities, and advice to confirm your interest and kickstart your career.

Explore a career path in Social Impact, Policy, and Law

Do you enjoy mission-driven work, combining your technical skills and knowledge with non-technical skills such as collaboration and communication, or solving problems that positively affect communities at the local and global scale? If so, a career in social impact, policy, or law might be a fit for you.

Woman making a speech

Social Impact

Social impact careers span across many disciplines and industries. These careers involve doing work that has a positive impact. This means you could work in many different fields and types of companies. 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

Find your social impact career by thinking about the skills you enjoy using and the causes you care about.

clipboard with document being presented to another person at desk

Policy

A career in policy can include working in academia, industry, government, and non-profits to create new policies or change existing policies at the local, state, national, or global scale. Policy could be a fit for you if you like thinking about the big picture and having a widespread, tangible impact. Working in policy often involves collecting and analyzing data, making recommendations based on that research, writing proposals and policies, and communicating with stakeholders to advance your recommendations.

open book in background with gavel and balance in foreground

Law

A career in law can be a great way to combine your technical interests with non-technical skills. For example, there is an increasing need for lawyers who understand technology and the law as technology continue to advance at a rapid pace. Getting a law degree is required if you want to practice law. However, there are some instances in which a law degree is not necessary, for example, you don’t need a law degree to become a Patent Agent. A law degree is versatile and a career in the law would allow you to work on interesting and challenging problems with a range of colleagues and clients.

Mental Health Awareness Month Webinars

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! In recognition, the MIT HR WorkLife and Wellbeing Center is hosting a series of live webinars throughout the month that will focus on personal wellbeing and mental health.

Experts in their fields, will share …

By Tara
Tara
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Yale Law School Launchpad Scholars Program

This innovative program aims to ensure that excellent applicants from all backgrounds can maximize their potential as law students and legal professionals, empowering them to become leaders in their future careers.

Participants will receive tools and resources — including one-on-one mentorship, …

By Tianna Ransom
Tianna Ransom Assistant Director, Career Exploration
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International Women’s Day: MIT Healthcare Innovation and Gender Equity 

International Women’s Day: MIT Healthcare Innovation and Gender Equity 

Date: Wednesday, March 8 from 6-8PM 

Location: E38 iHQ 795 | 7th Floor – Hacker Reactor

Join us for an inspiring and empowering evening as we celebrate International Women’s Day and recognize …

By Simona Rosu
Simona Rosu Senior Assistant Director, Postdoctoral Career and Professional Development
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Max Kampelman Paid Fellowships

The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe seeks candidates for its Max Kampelman Fellowship. The program is open to recent undergraduates (the beginning of the fellowship term should be less than one year since graduation), current graduate students, and …

By External Source
External Source
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Environmental Justice through Data: Exploring Environmental Advocacy and Storytelling through EJScreen

Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 2:00pm to 4:00pm

 Building 7A – Rotch Library, 7-238, GIS & Data Lab, Rotch Library
77 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, Cambridge, MA 02139

Learn how to use EJScreen, an environmental justice data and mapping tool, to gain insights into communities …

By Amanda Cornwall
Amanda Cornwall Graduate Student Professional Development
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Featured Resources

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Green Jobs Board from Brown Girl Green

Since our founding in 1999 as Opportunity Knocks, one of the first job boards focused exclusively on mission-driven careers, the …

Job board of jobs working for the US government with a section specifically for internships for students/recent graduates.

Job and internship openings submitted by Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA) Member Schools and industry employers.