Overview

Careers in social impact and nonprofits focus on addressing social issues, advocating for underserved populations, and developing programs and policies that promote equity and inclusion. PhD graduates and postdocs bring valuable research, data analysis, and problem-solving skills that can help organizations assess program effectiveness, craft compelling grant proposals, and shape strategic plans. In education, opportunities extend beyond traditional academic roles, including positions in educational policy, administration, and program development. The ability to communicate complex ideas, analyze outcomes, and engage diverse stakeholders makes PhD graduates and postdocs well-suited for leadership roles in these sectors.

Sample Job Titles

  • Program Director (Nonprofit): Oversees the development and implementation of social impact programs, manages budgets, and evaluates outcomes.
  • Policy Analyst: Conducts research and advises on the development and implementation of social policies at governmental or organizational levels.
  • Director of Development: Manages fundraising strategies, donor relations, and grant writing to support the financial health of nonprofit organizations.
  • Education Consultant: Advises schools, universities, and educational programs on curriculum development, instructional design, and learning outcomes.
  • Community Outreach Coordinator: Builds relationships with community stakeholders and leads engagement initiatives to promote organizational goals.
  • Advocacy Specialist: Develops and implements strategies to influence public policy and advance social causes.

Application Tips for Social Impact, Nonprofits, and Education

  1. Highlight Your Transferable Skills – Emphasize research, data analysis, and project management skills. In the social impact sector, the ability to measure and communicate the impact of programs is highly valued.
  2. Demonstrate Commitment to the Mission – Tailor your resume and cover letter to reflect the values and mission of the organization. Express your motivation for working toward social change.
  3. Network with Professionals in the Field – Attend nonprofit, policy, and education sector events, and reach out to alumni and colleagues for informational interviews.
  4. Develop Grant Writing and Fundraising Skills – Many nonprofit and educational roles require securing funding through grants and donations. Experience with proposal writing or fundraising is a significant asset.
  5. Showcase Public Engagement and Communication Experience – The ability to present research findings to policymakers, funders, and the public is crucial in these fields. Highlight experiences in teaching, public speaking, and advocacy.

Job Market Trends

Explore potential jobs and industries in depth using data that reflects real-time labor market trends on Dartmouth’s Center for Career Design, the undergraduate career center. Information include average earnings by location, top employers, employment trends and projections in the next ten years, “hard” skills, and popular job titles. Use keywords of by filtering for industry and occupation.

Search the Center for Career Design’s Job Trend

Sidebar

From TA to Lecturer

In Inside Higher Ed, Marcus Lau shares hard-earned advice on navigating the transition from teaching assistant to university lecturer. Drawing from his own experience, Lau outlines three essential questions that aspiring lecturers should ask before stepping into their first course …

By Meghan Wicks
Meghan Wicks Communications Specialist
Read more

Harnessing the Haters

In Inside Higher Ed, Elisha Lim, assistant professor at York University, offers strategies for transforming politically charged resistance in the classroom into meaningful learning. Acknowledging how figures like Joe Rogan fuel student mistrust of liberal arts faculty, Lim proposes creative, …

By Meghan Wicks
Meghan Wicks Communications Specialist
Read more

15 Leadership Skills Everyone Should Know (No Matter Your Job Title!)

Leadership skills aren’t just for people with fancy titles—they’re for anyone who wants to make an impact. You don’t need to be a CEO, manager, or team lead to act like a leader. In fact, some of the most effective …

Read more

Helpful Links

Dartmouth Resources External Resources Think Tanks

A list of non-profit, government organizations, and resources to find positions and learn about organizations.

Government

Major Nonprofits and Organizations

Dartmouth Connect an online networking hub where Dartmouth alumni from around the world can connect, explore career resources, and offer …

Alumni Connections

  • Brooklyn, NY
  • Founder and Executive Director Justice In Motion
Meet Cathleen
  • Boston, MA
  • Chief Executive Officer enVerid Systems, Inc.
Meet Christian
  • Bilbao, Biscay
  • Freelance Editor UCLA
Meet Marina
  • Denver, CO
  • Student Library Assistant Dartmouth College
Meet Gabriela
  • Washington, DC
Meet Bernardo
  • London, UK
  • Software Engineering Intern Thales Group
Meet Toma
  • Nashville, NY
Meet Shelby
  • Austin, TX
  • Founder and CEO WildRx
Meet Abel
  • Albania
  • Project Manager Bad Dog Creative Co.
Meet Benjamin
  • Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Masters Student Danish Technical University
Meet Nina
  • Boston, MA
  • President & CEO Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts
Meet Dominique
  • Brooklyn, NY
  • Summer Analyst Stockbridge Capital Group,
Meet Cam
  • River Forest, IL
  • Front Desk Attendant Dartmouth College
Meet Cia
  • Fribourg, Switzerland
  • Professional Athlete HC Fribourg-Gottéron SA
Meet Georgia
  • Stanford, CA
Meet Sheen
  • Cambridge, MA
  • PhD Student Harvard University
Meet Amanda
  • Wuhua District, Kunming
Meet zhaofeng
  • Brooklyn, NY
  • Psychiatrist Hamilton-Madison House
Meet Jihan
  • New York, NY
  • Investment Analyst Ludwig Cancer Research
Meet Maxwell
  • Albany, NY
  • Campus Tour Guide Dartmouth College
Meet Alisya
  • Princeton, New
  • Graduate Student Princeton University
Meet Tom
  • Somerville, MA
  • ChemE Advisory Board Member University of New Hampshire
Meet Austin
  • Denver, CO
  • Assistant Director of US Admissions Franklin University Switzerland
Meet Dr. Harry
  • Manhattan Beach, CA
  • Chief Investment Officer Altafid
Meet Dave

Contact & Location

Phone
603-646-2106
Address

102 Anonymous Hall
64 College St.
Hanover, NH 03755