The Dartmouth Center for Career Design has expanded its staff, programming, and partnerships to help undergraduates plan meaningful careers, according to a March 26 announcement. The center has doubled its staff over the past year from 11 to 22 members, including seven full-time coaches, and launched six Career Communities open to all undergraduates.
This expansion comes as college graduates across the country face a challenging job market. Nearly every member of Dartmouth’s Class of 2025 with available tracking data launched a career, enrolled in further education, or began a fellowship or military service within six months of graduation—a reported success rate of 99% based on information from 86% of the class.
Nina Pavcnik, interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, said: “Dartmouth has a responsibility to help students graduate with the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and experience to build a life of meaning and purpose that reflects the great investment they and their families have made in their educations. The Center for Career Design is where students can go to discover how they can carry the lessons they’ve learned in the classroom and tight-knit campus community into the world.”
Students working at the center also shared positive experiences. Grace Caldwell ’26 said: “You can come in with a blank résumé and a dream, and the center will meet you there.” Caldwell noted that she completed internships in visual storytelling and educational advocacy thanks to funding from the center. She added: “The center is not only thinking about postgrad outcomes. It is also invested in your overall experience at Dartmouth…applying for internships, funding, and mini-grants that allow you to explore.”
Joe Hayes, director of external partnerships and special projects at Dartmouth’s Center for Career Design, emphasized building connections between classroom learning and professional opportunities through collaborations with employers, alumni, campus departments such as Pathfinders at Tuck School of Business—and new initiatives like short-term project-based internships.
The newly unveiled Career Communities are organized around sectors such as Arts & Creative; Business; Good & Green; Government; Law & Policy; STEM+; and Exploratory—each supported by dedicated career coaches who offer personalized guidance. Executive Director Joe Catrino described these communities as “hubs of knowledge and connection” designed so students can network with peers as well as industry professionals.
Looking ahead, programs like Sophomore Summer combine coursework with hands-on nonprofit work while upcoming offerings such as an eight-week immersion program aim to deepen experiential learning opportunities. The center also continues supporting alumni seeking career development resources.
