Researching Careers

Learning more about industries and careers options can help you narrow your focus on those that might be a good fit. Below are some tools and techniques to help you begin researching potential career paths. Don’t forget: if you need help, you can always schedule an appointment with an advisor.

Handshake

Handshake is a great place to start your research. Companies looking specifically to recruit MIT students share job postings that you can filter by location, industry, or job type (internship, full-time, research, etc). Many of these positions may also be featured on the different career pathways as well.

Online Research Tools

These online tools can help you in your research:

• Muse U: career advice, job postings, email classes and videos
• Occupational Outlook Handbook: the US Department of Labor’s occupation guide
• MIT Library Business Databases: industry reports and overviews
• Vault Industry Guides: in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company or profession

Networking and Informational Interviews

One great way to find out more about career options: talk to other people. Through networking and informational interviews, you can tap into the knowledge of alumni, faculty, friends, classmates and family.

Attend an Event or Career Fair

Get your information direct from the source: learn about companies by attending their company presentations, talking to recruiters at career fairs, and exploring the many other career events on our calendar.

Learn about Alumni Career Paths

Infinite Careers is a collaboration between CAPD and the MIT Alumni Association to explore career paths and the non-linearity of career decision making. Read profiles of alumni with unique career paths, hear their stories and network at a series of talks.

Get Experience

If you’re not sure what kind of jobs you might like, try some out. Gain real life work experience from internships, shadowing and research opportunities .