Alumni discuss their career paths on stage.

Career Development

Overview

Career Development Is a Journey

A Princeton education will prepare you for success in whatever career path you choose. Our goal is to nurture the talents of each generation of Princeton students, empowering graduates who will flourish and change the world for the better.

Throughout your time at Princeton, you will have access to numerous resources to help you design your visions for meaningful career paths and prepare for the future. Ideas for paths you may wish to pursue will come from many sources, and you are encouraged to develop your thoughts by talking with people on campus who are here to help you.

Center for Career Development

Career development begins long before the job search process. As early as their first days on campus, the Center for Career Development assists undergraduate and graduate students to explore and prepare for careers that resonate with their skills, strengths, interests and values.

Student talks to an alumna at a financial literacy event.

One-on-one Advising

Career advisers can help you talk through your questions, figure out what interests you and start putting together a personalized plan. All students are encouraged to meet with a career adviser. Common topics include: self-assessment; choice of major and career field; exploration of career-related interests; pursuit of internships and employment; and application to professional and graduate school.  

Career workshop with alumni

Programs and Employer Events

The Center for Career Development offers workshops to help you explore career fields, begin to develop a professional network and build skills. Students can also attend information sessions, employer-led education programs, career fairs and interviews for internships and full-time positions from organizations interested in recruiting Princeton students.

Group photograph of Peer Career Advisers

Build Experience

The Center for Career Development can help you identify and pursue opportunities to gain hands-on experience, such as:

Peer Career Advisers

Undergraduates can get input on career ideas and planning from Peer Career Advisers, fellow students trained by the Center for Career Development.

 

Entrepreneurship

The University supports initiatives in entrepreneurship in a variety of ways, from academic courses to the Keller Center's startup incubator — the Entrepreneurial Hub — in downtown Princeton. Students also can shape their innovative ideas in the eLab, a summer accelerator program that culminates in a Demo Day competition. The Hub also provides team space for the Tiger Challenge, a co-curricular program that applies design thinking as a way to solve complex societal problems.

The Princeton Start-Up Immersion Program is an immersive 10-week summer experience for students interested in gaining firsthand knowledge of early-state startups.

 

Health Professions Advising

The Office of Health Professions Advising helps students pursue graduate studies at medical, dental and veterinary school.

 

Program in Teacher Preparation

Student teacher in classroom

Through the Program in Teacher Preparation ("Teacher Prep"), students can earn New Jersey state subject area licensure to teach at the middle and/or secondary school levels in several subject areas. Teacher Prep alumni are classroom teachers and school administrators, and also work in education policy.

 

International Opportunities

Student traveling abroad

Princeton's International Internship Program offers more than 400 internship opportunities in roughly 60 countries. Summer placements are arranged especially for Princeton undergraduates at nongovernmental organizations, private companies and public interest companies. The Center for Career Development also provides resources for students to identify international internships.

 

Graduate Students

The Graduate School provides programming relevant to all fields and inclusive of academic, administrative and industry careers. Professional development programs help graduate students weigh career options. More broadly, the University provides a range of resources such as writing support, teacher training and access to academic and professional workshops that graduate students are encouraged to explore.

Postgraduate Fellowships

Princeton students and alumni can deepen their academic and career interests through a range of postgraduate fellowships. Some fellowships are offered through Princeton; others are national or international. Some placements that offer immersive work experiences, foster cultural understanding and build community, are:

 

Princeton AlumniCorps

Princeton AlumniCorps is an alumni-led nonprofit organization that fosters civic engagement among Princeton alumni, with a call to "engage at every age."