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 from 11 to 22 over the past year, including seven full-time coaches, and launched six new Career Communities open to all undergraduates.
This expansion comes at a time when college graduates across the country face a challenging job market. Nearly every member of Dartmouth’s Class of 2025 with available tracking data started a career, enrolled in further education, or began fellowships or military service within six months of graduation. The center reported a 99% success rate 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 their experiences. Grace Caldwell ’26 said: “You can come in with a blank résumé and a dream, and the center will meet you there.” Caldwell described how funding from the center allowed her access to internships she might not otherwise have experienced.
The center’s approach includes close coaching relationships using artificial intelligence technology as well as hands-on experiences such as internships throughout all four years at Dartmouth. Partnerships on campus connect students with programs like Pathfinders at Tuck School of Business while collaborations beyond campus include initiatives like the Community Impact Leadership Program with Teach for America.
Career Communities are organized around professional sectors such as arts & creative fields; business; government; law & policy; STEM+; good & green industries; and exploratory paths. Each community features dedicated career coaches along with staff focused on building internal and external connections.
Looking ahead, new offerings include an eight-week experiential program called Career and Life Design Immersion Program beginning this spring. Executive Director Joe Catrino emphasized ongoing support even after graduation: “We’re offering alumni career development for any and all undergraduate alums to come back and get career coaching… We’ve expanded it. We’re saying ‘You’re Dartmouth—for life.’”
