The MIT Careers Office helps students learn to make informed career decisions and find opportunities related to their professional objectives. Students are encouraged to begin their career education early, including meeting with a counselor and visiting the Careers Office website (http://web.mit.edu/career/www/) to learn about available resources. Career development is an ongoing process that includes self-assessment, competency development, research into career options, experiential learning, and preparation for the job search or for the graduate/professional school application process.
The Careers Office helps undergraduate and graduate students explore and learn about:
The Study Abroad and Distinguished Fellowships Office provides comprehensive support to undergraduates interested in studying abroad and pursuing distinguished fellowship opportunities. The office helps students investigate study abroad options that best fit their academic and life interests, transition into their new academic environment and culture, and integrate the experience into their life at MIT and career. It also provides support and guidance to students preparing applications for distinguished fellowships, including but not limited to the Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Gates, and Fulbright fellowships. For further information, see the section on Academic and Research Options in this chapter.
Admitted pre-freshmen can apply for the Freshman/Alumni Summer Internship Program, a 6-unit graded seminar (SP.800/SP.801) that offers career development training. The program accepts 100 students each year; applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis from June 1 through August 14 of the summer prior to matriculation at MIT. Application forms and details are available at http://web.mit.edu/fasip/.
Freshman-Sophomore Career Week is geared toward freshmen and sophomores to engage them early to develop broad career skills. This event integrates career skill-building and provides exposure to opportunities inside and outside of MIT to help students in their career exploration.
An employment recruiting program provides students with opportunities for internships, summer jobs, and full-time positions after graduation. Hundreds of employers recruit students through a password-protected database at http://www.monstertrak.com/, and on-campus recruiting visits. Many employers also host presentations and participate in career fairs, which provide the opportunity for students at any stage in their academic program to discuss employment prospects and find out about careers at different organizations.
Students interested in exploring and applying to law or medical, dental, or other health-related professional schools are supported by the Preprofessional Advising staff in the MIT Careers Office (12-170). Students from all majors can apply to law and health-related professional schools. However, individuals interested in a health profession must fulfill certain subject requirements. Students should visit http://web.mit.edu/career/www/preprof/ for information on admissions criteria, application process, advisor assignment process, and services provided.
For further information, contact the MIT Careers Office, Room 12-170, 617-253-4733, fax 617-253-8457, or visit http://web.mit.edu/career/www/.
Options for MIT students interested in teaching elementary or secondary school range from exploratory activities such as tutoring and UROP activities to formal certification programs.
For students who wish to explore teaching as a career (in the short or long term), the MIT/Wellesley Teacher Education Program (TEP), housed in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, provides the requirements for Massachusetts State Teacher Certification in math and science at the middle and high school levels (and can be transferred to many other states). Courses offered through the TEP are also useful for students preparing to teach at the college level, as well as those who wish to apply their work to related research fields such as curriculum design or educational technology. Those going into industry find that the TEP can contribute to work in advancing educational programs, as well as work on human-computer interface and software development.
Education subjects that focus on math/science teaching at the secondary level (grades 5-12) are offered through Course 11 Urban Studies and Planning. To receive Massachusetts Teacher Certification, students must complete supervised practice teaching and additional coursework at MIT, or through Wellesley College. A HASS concentration in education is offered as part of the undergraduate curriculum in Course 11.
For additional information see the TEP home page at http://education.mit.edu/tep/.
To explore K-12 teaching opportunities less formally, students may volunteer as tutors or teacher assistants in local schools, offer informal classes through the Educational Studies Program, or work with faculty members who conduct research in schools. (Refer to the UROP Directory for a list of faculty members interested in such research.) The Student Services Center, Room 11-120, and the Center for Public Service, Room 3-123, can also provide assistance.
Military training has existed at MIT ever since the Institute opened its doors in 1865. More than 12,000 officers have been commissioned from MIT, of whom more than 150 have reached the rank of general or admiral. Students who are United States citizens or who have applied for citizenship, are of good moral character, and are medically qualified for military service, may participate in the programs. Non-citizens who fulfill naturalization requirements for citizenship prior to graduation may enroll and participate in the four-year nonscholarship programs.
All three programs have the following characteristics in common:
Aerospace Studies (AS), Military Science (MS), and Naval Science (NS) subjects are not included in a student's grade point average, and the credits do not count toward the degree. These subjects can be applied toward the Physical Education Requirement. In some cases, the ROTC programs may include departmentally approved subjects that provide academic credit.
Participants must agree by contract to maintain acceptable levels of academic performance and physical fitness. ROTC academic performance requirements may exceed Institute standards. Breach or willful evasion of the contract could lead to a period of enlisted service or to repayment of scholarship funds.
Specific information concerning benefits, ROTC training programs, career opportunities, and contractual obligations can be obtained from the program offices listed in this section.
The Air Force ROTC program provides students the opportunity to become commissioned officers in the Air Force while completing their undergraduate or graduate degree. It is designed to develop the leadership and management skills essential for an Air Force officer while preparing the student for assignment in a career field related to his or her academic specialty. Aerospace Studies offers two programs—one of four years and one of two years—for students to qualify for commissions.
The four-year program consists of classroom and leadership laboratory work during the four years of academic study and one summer training period of four weeks between the second and third years at an Air Force base. Students with three academic years remaining may enroll in the four-year program by combining the first two years.
The first two years of the four-year program are known as the General Military Course (GMC). Upon completion of the GMC and summer field training, students may compete for entry into the Professional Officer Course (POC). Selection into the POC is based on academic aptitude and performance, successful completion of the GMC and field training, and recommendation of the professor of Aerospace Studies.
The two-year program is for those students who do not complete the first two years of the four-year Air Force ROTC program. Such students may apply if they have two years remaining in their academic program at MIT. In lieu of completing the GMC, these students receive five weeks of field training at an Air Force base during the summer between their two years. They receive the same benefits and complete the same academic program required of POC members in the four-year program.
Air Force ROTC scholarships are available on a competitive basis to qualified applicants. Scholarships pay up to full tuition, include $750 per year for textbooks, and a $250-400 nontaxable allowance each month. One- to three-and-a-half year scholarships are offered on a competitive basis in addition to the four-year scholarships offered to high school seniors. The detachment commander also has three-and-a-half year full-tuition scholarships to award to outstanding freshmen (technical majors) and $15,000 per year scholarships to award to non-technical students. All eligible recipients of partial scholarships have the opportunity to compete for scholarship upgrades ranging from 80% to 100% tuition.
The Aerospace Studies curriculum emphasizes the history, organization, and mission of the Air Force, including its role in national defense strategy and American society. Academic classes and leadership laboratory activities provide training and practical experience in developing leadership and managerial skills.
Students enrolled in the first two years of the program attend one hour of class and two hours of Leadership Laboratory (LLAB). In the final two years of the program, the class time is three hours per week with the same LLAB requirement. LLAB has always been a highlight of the program, introducing cadets to a variety of motivational and interactive activities. Aside from standard drill practice, students participate in guest-speaker events, athletic competitions, self-defense class, marksmanship training, rock climbing, career day, and much more.
Throughout the four years of the program, cadets also have many optional extracurricular opportunities to expand their leadership skills and interact with the active duty Air Force. Many students visit Air Force bases all over the country, participate in military orientation flights, receive civilian flight training, and offer their service to others in our national service organization, the Arnold Air Society. In the summer, students can also apply for a variety of internships—13 in all—including shadowing a NASA astronaut, attending a space launch, participating as a field engineer, or foreign language immersion by living abroad.
To be eligible for the Air Force ROTC scholarship program and the POC, students must be citizens of the United States; physically qualified in accordance with existing Air Force regulations; and enrolled at MIT, Harvard, Tufts, or Wellesley as full-time students.
Interested students can sign up for the Air Force ROTC program by visiting the Aerospace Studies Department, Room W59-114, MIT, calling 617-253-3755, or emailing airforce@mit.edu.
The Army ROTC program at MIT is designed to enhance a student's college education by integrating technology with unique, hands-on training in leadership and management. Through coursework and practical experience modules, students will develop decision-making, team-building, and time-management skills—leadership qualities that are essential to success in any field and are highly valued in corporate/research careers. Students completing the ROTC program are awarded a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. Students may participate in the first two years of Army ROTC with no commitment to military service.
The Military Science and Leadership Program is a four-year program composed of the Basic Course (freshman and sophomore years) and the Advanced Course (junior and senior years).
The four-year curriculum combines classroom and leadership laboratory work. Any MIT student is eligible to participate in the leadership development courses regardless of academic grade.
During the summer between their junior and senior years, students participate in a five-week leadership leadership and assessment course at Fort Lewis, WA (near Seattle). Upon graduation from college and successful completion of the Military Science and Leadership Course, students are commissioned as officers in the US Army, US Army Reserves, or Army National Guard.
The two-year program is designed for students who did not complete the first two years of the Army ROTC program. If students have at least one-and-a-half years remaining in their academic program at MIT or are interested in pursuing a graduate degree, they may be eligible to participate in the Advanced Course. Students may participate in a four-week training camp (the Leader's Training Course) at Fort Knox, KY, in lieu of completing the Basic Course. Once they complete the Leader's Training Course, students are eligible to receive the same benefits as members in the four-year program.
Army ROTC scholarships are available on a competitive basis to qualified applicants. Two-, three-, and four-year scholarships are available each year, and are awarded on campus. High school seniors may apply for four-year scholarships in conjunction with their application to MIT. Scholarships pay full tuition and all mandatory fees, a flat rate of $900 for books and supplies each year, and a tax-free stipend ranging from $300 to $500 per month. The scholarship is flexible, in that it can be used for either tuition or room and board.
The Army ROTC curriculum is designed to enhance a student's college education by providing distinctive leadership and management training in conjunction with realistic experience. The program emphasizes leadership, organizational management, purpose and history of the military, and physical fitness.
Students enrolled in the first two years of the program attend one hour of class and three hours of physical fitness each week. Collegiate athletes who meet Army fitness standards are excused from physical fitness training while their sport is in season. In the final two years of the program, class and physical fitness total four hours per week. Students also participate in a monthly Leadership Lab that highlights a particular military activity. Finally, students participate in a field training exercise each term that includes small unit leadership training, military tactics, land navigation, rappelling, obstacle negotiation, and a helicopter orientation ride.
The ROTC program offers MIT students a wide spectrum of opportunities to participate in numerous challenging and rewarding extracurricular activities, such as high adventure training and field training exercises. Army Airborne, Air Assault, Mountain Warfare, and other military schooling and training programs are available on a voluntary basis to qualified cadets. Also, there are global summer internships available at national research laboratories, numerous Army bases, or the Pentagon. Finally, following graduation there are opportunities—primarily for students going on to law or medical school—to defer the service obligation until completion of their graduate studies. Some graduate study opportunities are funded by the Army.
Army ROTC offers opportunities to seek a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard or Reserves. This unique option provides the flexibility for newly commissioned officers to participate in the Army part time while pursuing an advanced degree or a full-time career.
Enrollment in the freshman and sophomore ROTC courses is open to all MIT students. To be eligible for Army ROTC scholarships and/or enrollment in the junior- and senior-year ROTC courses, students must be citizens of the United States; physically and medically qualified in accordance with existing Army regulations; and enrolled at MIT, Harvard, Tufts, Wellesley, Endicott, Gordon, or Salem State as full-time students.
Students normally apply for the four-year program during their freshman year, but students may enroll in the course or apply for a campus-based scholarship each semester. Interested students can sign up for the Army ROTC program by visiting the Army ROTC office at MIT in building W59, by calling 617-253-4471, or by visiting http://web.mit.edu/armyrotc/.
The purpose of the Naval ROTC program is to provide instruction and training in naval science subjects which, when coupled with a bachelor's degree, qualify selected students for commissions in the US Navy. Primary officer program options available include aviation, submarines, surface warfare, and the Marine Corps. MIT commissionees are also eligible to become Naval Reactors Engineerings stationed in Washington, DC.
The Naval ROTC unit at MIT offers two officer development programs: the Scholarship Program and the College Program. The Scholarship Program provides full tuition, certain fees, use of books and uniforms, and a monthly stipend for two, three, or four years. All scholarship students incur an active duty obligation of four or more years. Students in the College Program for two, three, or four years receive naval science books and all uniforms, in addition to a monthly stipend during the last two academic years. Students in this program must complete one summer cruise after their junior year and incur a three-year active duty obligation. Each year many of the top College Program students receive full-tuition scholarships for their remaining years in school. The monthly stipends are $250 for freshmen, $300 for sophomores, $350 for juniors, and $400 for seniors.
Harvard and Tufts students are eligible for both the Scholarship and College Programs.
Upon completion of the program and receipt of a baccalaureate degree, graduates are commissioned as Ensigns or Second Lieutenants in the Navy or Marine Corps Reserve. Newly commissioned officers report directly to active duty within one year of commissioning (generally within a few months). Upon completion of the active duty obligation, the officer may be released to inactive duty, but must remain in the reserves for a total of eight years from the date of original commissioning.
The Naval ROTC program of instruction encompasses the science of nautical matters and principles of leadership and management, all vital to being a naval officer. The program has three interacting and equally important aspects. The first aspect consists of the professional academic subjects taught by the Naval Science Program, and the second aspect consists of the academic subjects taught by the Institute. In addition to recommended coursework, one year of calculus, physics, English, and one term of American military history or national security policy are required. The third aspect consists of the professional training gained from leadership laboratories (two hours a week throughout the school year), tours conducted to local naval facilities, cruises aboard ship, and practical navigation and piloting practice conducted aboard training craft.
Between academic years, midshipmen attend a month of summer training aboard ship and at shore bases to become familiar with Navy and Marine Corps procedures. One two-hour or three-hour naval science subject is required each term. Several of these are presented in conjunction with MIT professors and carry academic credit.
To be eligible for the four-year Naval ROTC program, an entering student must be a citizen of the United States, at least 17 years of age, and physically qualified.
Further information can be obtained from the Commanding Officer, NROTC and Naval Administrative Unit, Room W59-110, MIT, at any US Navy Recruiting Station, or at http://navyrotc.mit.edu/.