Education, Government, Human Services & Nonprofits

Government + Nonprofit Careers: Drive and Elevate Social Impact

Ignite your vision at Illinois Tech, blending technical expertise with policy understanding to address complex societal challenges. Our Elevate program provides practical experience, preparing you for meaningful careers in Chicago’s diverse landscape of public service and social impact organizations.

Impactful Career Paths

  • Policy Analyst: Research and analyze policy issues to inform critical government decisions.
  • Program Manager: Design, implement, and evaluate programs addressing specific community needs.
  • Data Analyst/Scientist: Apply data analytics to enhance public services and optimize program outcomes.
  • Technology Specialist: Develop and maintain essential technology systems for public or nonprofit entities.
  • Grant Writer/Manager: Secure and manage vital funding for nonprofit initiatives.
  • Public Administrator: Oversee government operations and lead program implementation.
  • Education Technology Specialist: Develop and deploy technology solutions in educational settings.
  • Research Associate: Conduct studies to inform policy decisions or nonprofit strategies.
  • Civic Innovation Specialist: Leverage technology to improve civic engagement and government services.
  • Sustainability Coordinator: Develop and implement environmental and sustainability initiatives.

Essential Skills for Success

Technical Prowess: Master data analysis, research methodologies, grant writing, program evaluation, budgeting, GIS, and technology implementation for social impact.

Transferable Strengths: Hone critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, cultural competence, and ethical decision-making.

Illinois Tech’s programs, combined with Elevate experiences, develop both the technical expertise and professional skills needed to make meaningful impacts in government and nonprofit sectors.

Chicago: Your Public Service Launchpad

Chicago offers exceptional opportunities for government and nonprofit professionals:

  • Government Agencies: City of Chicago, Cook County, State of Illinois, and federal offices.
  • Educational Institutions: Chicago Public Schools, City Colleges of Chicago, and numerous universities.
  • Nonprofit Organizations: Major foundations, community organizations, and advocacy groups.
  • Think Tanks & Policy: Research institutions focused on urban issues and policy development.
  • Social Innovation Centers: Explore impact hubs, civic tech organizations, and social enterprise incubators.

Take Action: Launch Your Career

Connect with Career Services for essential resources:

  • Resume & Cover Letter Guides: Craft compelling application materials.
  • Federal Resume Templates: Prepare specifically for government roles.
  • LinkedIn Profile Optimization: Build a strong professional online presence.
  • Career Exploration Tools: Discover diverse pathways within public service.
  • Alumni Mentoring Program: Connect with experienced professionals in the field.

Schedule an appointment with a career advisor today to discuss your specific government or nonprofit career goals and create a personalized plan for success.

These fields do welcome students from all majors, particularly those passionate about civil and public service!

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Career Resources

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Labor Market InsightsIn partnership withLightcast logo

Find a career that aligns with your career interests, see current salary projects, and identify skills you need to apply for that next job or internship.

There are two ways to use this tool below:

  1. By Keyword: Search for the name of the occupation you’re interested in.
  2. By Industry: Not sure what job you’d like? Search by desired industry and see available occupations.

First, choose an industry of interest, then filter for occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

Type in a keyword to select a relevant occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

 Access All Labor Market Insights Here

Illinois Tech Features Over 100 Professional Student Organizations

  Benefits of Joining

* Professional development and continuing education
* Conferences and networking events
* Design competitions and awards programs
* Certification preparation and support
* Career resources and job boards
* Mentorship opportunities
* Industry publications and research access

Student Government Association

Union Board

American Medical Student Association (AMSA)

American Rehabilitation Counseling Association

American Statistical Association

Camras Scholars

View All Organizations

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Salesforce Foundations: Building Apps – Is It for You?

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Undergraduate Career Outcomes

Career Outcomes

Illinois Tech graduates are in high demand. See what our graduates are doing within six months of graduation

Career Services tracks career outcomes on an annual basis through a survey known as First Destination. This data refers to the post-graduation status of students within six months of graduation and provides a snapshot view of the success undergraduates obtain.

For the 2023 class, surveys were collected from 94% of graduates.

Graduates of Illinois Tech pursue a wide variety of industries and positions in leading companies and organizations, and Career Services strongly believes that engaging in internships, research, study abroad, and student organizations are practices that lead to post-graduation success. For additional information or questions, please get in touch with Illinois Tech Career Services at careerservices@iit.edu and review our collection and reporting methodology.

  • First Destination
  • Top Employers
  • Starting Salary
  • Employment Locations
  • Top Universities
  • Degree Types
  • Fields of Study

First Destination

The vast majority of our graduates obtained full-time employment or decided to continue their education through graduate studies.

Learn more about the percentages of our graduates employed full-time, part-time, in graduate school, serving in the military, or pursuing volunteer opportunities.