Hello, ELO!
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Earn money or academic credit while you work on challenging and meaningful hands-on projects. Whether during the summer or the academic year, experiential learning opportunities (or ELOs, for short) connect you to important, real-world projects in MIT research labs, maker spaces, PK-12 schools, start-ups, nonprofits, and global industries.
Find your ELO on ELx!
An easy way search and apply for all kinds of ELOs 🙌
The Experiential Learning Exchange (ELx) is an easy-to-use “front door” to find programs of all types (think UROP, MISTI, PKG, and more!).
What kinds of experiential learning opportunities are available?
There is something for everyone, including undergrads (UG) and grad students (G)! 👏
Undergraduate Research (UROP) | UG
Work with MIT faculty members on cutting-edge research. Join established projects or pursue your own ideas with opportunities in every academic department as well as interdisciplinary laboratories and centers.
Public Service + Social Impact | UG, G
Use your skills to make a difference on issues that you care about. Work with nonprofits, government agencies, social enterprises, or global NGOs to tackle critical, complex challenges such as ethical AI use, global health, climate change, and racial justice.
Innovation + Entrepreneurship | UG, G
Learn how to bring your ideas to market or join a team already making an impact in one of the many classes, clubs, and programs that make up MIT’s innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) ecosystem. Whether you are brand new to I&E or already a serial entrepreneur, you can find mentorship and resources that fit your needs.
Global Opportunities | UG, G
Connect and collaborate with international industry and educational partners through remote internships, teaching experiences, and study abroad opportunities. Learn and practice cross-cultural, global leadership, and other important professional skills.
Teaching + Learning | UG, G
Design and/or deliver high-quality learning experiences that support PK-12 students and teachers in our community and around the world. Or work with MIT faculty members to help design and teach MIT classes.
Climate + Sustainability | UG, G
Tackle pressing climate and sustainability challenges in industry and research, teach the next generation or the public about climate change, or work with governments and organizations to implement sustainable policies. Regardless of your discipline, there is a climate and sustainability ELO for you.
Design + Making | UG, G
The world of design and making at MIT is vast, interdisciplinary, and expanding. Whether your medium of choice is wood, code, or bacteria, you can find an ELO that lets you create something truly spectacular.
First-Year Students | UG
Check out this page for advice and resources for engaging in Experiential Learning Opportunities (ELOs) as a first-year student. ELOs can help you explore topics you care about while making new friends and gaining disciplinary knowledge and professional skills.
What else do I need to know about ELOs?
What is an experiential learning opportunity (ELO)?
Experiential Learning Opportunities, or ELOs, are the “secret sauce” of an MIT education: hands-on, authentic experiences in research labs and maker spaces, PK-12 schools and start-ups, NGOs and global industries. The vast majority of undergraduates participate in at least one, and often many, ELOs throughout their MIT journey —a MISTI program, a UROP, a corporate internship through CAPD, a PKG public service fellowship, an entrepreneurial venture with Sandbox support, an Edgerton Center student team or club, and more. Graduate programs at MIT are often experiential by nature, involving research, teaching, client projects, and more; however, many graduate students pursue additional ELOs, such as internships, entrepreneurial opportunities, and global experiences.
What ties all of these diverse experiences together? The projects involve hands-on, applied work, often in “real-world” contexts; they are challenging and rigorous learning experiences; students receive meaningful guidance, supervision, and feedback; the project work is performed over an extended period and with a meaningful intensity; and critical reflection and evaluation help students process their learning and programs measure their impact.
How do I apply?
Programs determine and manage their own student application and selection processes, so please refer to the position description for more information about processes and deadlines.
Will I be paid? 💰
ELOs may be paid (either by stipend or hourly wage), completed for academic credit, or, in some cases, completed on a volunteer basis. Check the position description or check with your program sponsor to see what compensation is offered. Each program manages its own processes for awarding pay or credit, so reach out to program staff if you have specific questions.
What if I apply for an opportunity but I’m not selected? 😟
Students must apply to the specific ELOs that they’re interested in; required application forms, deadlines, and procedures will vary by program. Sponsoring programs make the final decisions about student selection and/or hiring, and some opportunities will be more competitive than others, depending on student interest and the number of positions available.
If you need help finding or applying for the right position for you, you can contact us at experientiallearning@mit.edu.
Can I get funding to pursue my own project idea? 💡
There are several existing MIT programs that allow students to pursue independent projects while receiving support and access to MIT resources and expertise. UROP’s direct-funding application can support student-generated research projects that have the endorsement and involvement of an MIT faculty member. Students with public service projects can apply to the PKG Public Service Fellowships. Individuals with entrepreneurial ideas can apply to Sandbox or IDEAS (for social ventures only). Some academic departments also offer ELOs built around student-designed projects.
Sounds good, where do I start?
You’re in the right place! 😉
You can search for ELO positions on several platforms. It’s as easy as 1-2-3.
- ELx. This new platform lists ELOs of all types, replacing the UROP job board and our static list of ELOs and supplementing listings on other platforms like Handshake. Many ELOs are cross-listed on ELx even if more detail and applications are located elsewhere, so ELx is a great place to start your search.
- Handshake. Start by searching for “Experiential Learning” or look for “MIT – ELO” as the “employer”. If you’re new to the platform, Handshake requires an MIT certificate.
- ELO Track Pages. Scroll up to find a list of “tracks” (broad categories of ELOs), each of which has its own ecosystem of programs and opportunities. While most programs will post ELOs to ELx or Handshake, checking out program websites linked on the track pages will give you a sense of the types of opportunities that are offered throughout the year and who to contact with questions.
You can also talk to faculty members and friends, or inquire directly with programs that are of interest to see if they are offering ELOs. UROPs in particular may not be advertised, so check out these other strategies for finding a UROP.
But I have more questions!
No problem, we’re here to help. 👍
Contact Us
Office of Experiential Learning
experientiallearning@mit.edu