Experiential Learning Track

Public Service + Social Impact

Use your skills to make a difference on issues that you care about. Work with non-profits, government agencies, social enterprises, or global NGOs to tackle critical, complex challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and racial justice.

At MIT, public service takes the form of internships, collaborative projects, research opportunities, peer engagement, and more! Leverage the skills you’re developing in the classroom and work alongside fellow students, MIT faculty and staff, nonprofit leaders, and government officials who are tackling these challenges on the front lines. Support community-identified needs, or work collaboratively to implement an innovative practice of your own design.

Find Your ELO

Many public service and social impact opportunities can be found on ELx. Select “Public Service and Social Impact” under “Type” to see relevant listings. PKG Center staff are also available for appointments if you want 1:1 advice on social impact ELOs.

Related Courses

SP.259 Pathways to Social Justice at MIT and Beyond

This course explores student pathways to support social change and social justice efforts within the greater Boston region and how students can be agents of change throughout their lives. Students are introduced to ethical, reciprocal, and community-informed approaches to creating social change through readings, lectures, class discussions, critical reflection, and direct service experiences with local community organizations. This course also aims to create a supportive community for undergraduate students to build a network of thoughtful MIT stakeholders dedicated to creating social good in the world. Subject offered by the PKG Public Service Center. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first-year students.

EC.720[J] D-Lab: Design

Addresses problems faced by underserved communities and developing countries with a focus on design, experimentation, and prototyping processes. Multidisciplinary teams work on long-term projects in collaboration with community partners, field practitioners, and experts in relevant fields. Topics covered include design for affordability, manufacture, sustainability, and strategies for working effectively with community partners and customers. Students may continue projects begun in EC.701. Enrollment limited by lottery; must attend first class session.

EC.750 Humanitarian Innovation: Design for Relief, Rebuilding, and Recovery

Explores the role innovation can and does play in how humanitarian aid is provided, and how it can impact people, products, and processes. Provides a fundamental background in the history and practice of humanitarian aid. Case studies and projects examine protracted displacement as well as recovery and resettlement, including efforts in Colombia, Lebanon, Nepal, Sudan, and Uganda. Potential for students to travel over the summer to partner communities.

SP.251 How to Change the World: Experiences from Social Entrepreneurs

Every week, students meet individual entrepreneurs, get immersed in the ecosystem that supports them, and visit MIT labs and startups in the Cambridge innovation community. Each session covers an aspect of social entrepreneurship, from identifying opportunities for change to market fit to planning for scale. Subject can count toward the 9-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first year-students. Limited to 25; preference to first-year students.

2.78 [J] Principles and Practice of Assistive Technology

Students work closely with people with disabilities to develop assistive and adaptive technologies that help them live more independently. Covers design methods and problem-solving strategies; human factors; human-machine interfaces; community perspectives; social and ethical aspects; and assistive technology for motor, cognitive, perceptual, and age-related impairments. Enrollment may be limited.

Public Service and Social Impact ELOs in Action

News, projects, and profiles of MIT students

Articles

Blogs