Careers in social impact can directly affect positive change in society. Princeton University's informal motto: 'In the Nation’s Service and the Service of Humanity' reflects the importance of this mission.
Because it is so broad and opportunities are so varied, social impact can be a difficult concept to define. Roles can span focus areas including sustainability, healthcare, education and more. Many social impact jobs can be found at nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, as well as with government and public service entities. In addition, a growing number of corporate employers have units that focus on social impact or corporate social responsibility.
There are countless opportunities to get involved in social impact work at Princeton University, ranging from academic work and research opportunities to student groups and co-curricular activities.
Start exploring your interests by reviewing options offered by the Pace Center for Civic Engagement, undergraduate student groups, graduate student groups and by researching causes and issues you feel strongly about. Discover what you are passionate about and seek volunteer opportunities and internships to develop experience.
Because this field spans multiple types of organizations and roles, there is not a single hiring process or timeline. Many organizations typically hire close to the start date for the position. Identifying organizations of interest and then checking their websites regularly or speaking to alumni who work there will offer insights into their specific recruiting cycles.
Centers and campus offices
- Carl A. Fields Center for Equality + Cultural Understanding
- Finding support at Princeton
- Gender + Sexuality Resource Center
- Office of Sustainability
Undergraduate student groups
- Environmental student groups
- Our Health Matters
- Pace Center student organizations
- PICASSO (Princeton Inter-Communal Arts Students Service Organization)
- Princeton Against Gun Violence
- Princeton Disability Collective
- Princeton Open Campus Coalition
- Princeton Students for Gender Equality
- Princeton Students for Reproductive Justice
- Princeton University Language Project
- Service in Style
- Social Sustainability
- SpeakOut
- The Stripes
- Sustainability student groups
- Vote100
Internship, fellowship, funding and related opportunities:
- Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment internship and funding opportunities
- Faith-Based Internship
- High Meadows Environmental Institute Internship Program
- High Meadows Fellowship Program
- Internships in Global Health, Center for Health and Wellbeing
- International Internship Program
- John C. Bogle ‘51 Fellows in Civic Service internships
- Princeton in Africa (PiAf) fellowship
- Princeton in Asia (PiA) summer internship and fellowship
- Princeton Internships in Civic Service (PICS)
- Princeton in Latin America (PiLA) fellowship
- Princeton School of Public and International Affairs Internship Grant
- Program for Community-Engaged Scholarships (ProCES) Derian Internship
- Project 55 Fellowship Program (Princeton AlumniCorps)
- Projects for Peace
- Scholars in the Nation’s Service Initiative (SINSI) Internship
- Scholars in the Nation’s Service Initiative (SINSI) Graduate Program
- Service Focus
Professional organizations and associations are membership-based groups comprised of people working in a similar field. They can be helpful resources for students to learn more about a field, develop connections and discover related opportunities. You can search for related organizations and associations using a database provided by the Princeton University Library.
Subcategories
Princeton Alumni
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Job TitleEngagement Manager
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Job TitleAssociate Director of Operations
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Job TitleDirector, Strategic Initiatives
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Job TitleExhibitions Department Project Manager
