In an exciting development for students and alumni alike, Dartmouth College is embarking on a groundbreaking initiative in career development within the realm of higher education. This ambitious plan includes the creation of a Center for Career Design, which is supported by an impressive $94 million fundraising goal. Currently, the center has raised $61 million, significantly backed by the contributions of 127 alumni and parents.
The new center consolidates various resources, including personalized coaching, advanced AI-driven career tools, enhanced internship funding, and Dartmouth’s extensive alumni network—comprising over 80,000 members—into a single platform. This integrated approach aims to support students not only during their academic journey but throughout their professional lives.
Such initiatives have resonated with students. In the fall of 2025, 1,740 undergraduates attended events hosted by the center, marking a remarkable 337% increase from the previous year. Additionally, coaching appointments surged by 73% in the same timeframe.
This year also marked a significant milestone as the center began its engagement with first-year students during orientation, well ahead of the academic term.
Internship support has seen substantial improvements, with 82% of applicants now receiving funding—up from 56% last year. Thanks to comprehensive financial backing, the program is set to meet the full demand from students seeking internships.
Six months after graduation, the Class of 2025 reported a stunning 96.1% success rate, with alumni finding career opportunities across diverse sectors such as scientific research, healthcare, government, nonprofits, and finance.
“Dartmouth is taking proactive measures at a pivotal time, as the job market experiences a fundamental transformation. We are creating something unique within the career development landscape, and we invite alumni to join in our efforts,” shares Joe Catrino, the executive director of the new center.
Quote
We’re building something unique in the career space, and we encourage alumni to join our efforts.
According to Catrino, “The center doesn’t limit students to a single career trajectory. Instead, it opens their eyes to various possibilities, equips them with the confidence and tools needed to explore those paths, and remains a supportive resource long after they depart from Hanover.”
As the World Economic Forum estimates, nearly 40% of core skills required by employers are anticipated to change by 2030. The advent of technologies like artificial intelligence is already reshaping the professional landscape, making it essential for students to be adaptable. “Today’s students may find themselves in careers that haven’t even been conceived yet,” Catrino notes.
Recognizing the urgency of preparing students for this dynamic future is among President Sian Leah Beilock’s foremost priorities. Underpinning the center’s mission is an emphasis on equipping students not just for their first job, but with the tools necessary for lifelong adaptation.
“We owe it to our students and their families to make certain that the education we provide delivers a meaningful return on what could be their largest financial investment,” states President Beilock. “While our faculty teach students to think critically, the career design center provides them with the skills to shape and reshape their career paths across their lives.”
Since joining Dartmouth in February 2025, Catrino has emphasized the need to redefine the functions of a career center. “A Dartmouth degree remains an invaluable asset, yet its greatest strength lies in students’ ability to continually adapt,” he stresses.
The center’s vision is built on four vital pillars:
- Close and intensive coaching: Utilizing motivational interviewing and life design techniques to foster self-awareness, test ideas, and make informed decisions.
- Custom AI-driven tools: Offering personalized support, from exploring potential career paths to refining resumes and evaluating job offers, utilizing insights from Dartmouth’s broad alumni network.
- Enhanced access to internships: Providing real-world experience, which is pivotal in today’s job market. The center has increased maximum funding for internships from $5,000 to $6,500, benefiting around 82% of applicants.
- Exceptional alumni network: A community robust enough to cover various industries and regions while maintaining personal connections, ready to mentor, host interns, or sponsor projects.
Alumni interested in creating opportunities for future generations are encouraged to connect through the center to offer mentorship, host an intern, or support a project.
Students engage with Verity Lynch ’21, a digital growth marketing manager at Alice & Olivia, during a career trek organized by the Center for Career Design at New York Fashion Week in February. (Photo by Catherine Louise Darragh)
The center will also stay current with AI-driven changes to ensure that students are well-prepared for roles that require knowledge in this area. “We are building a resource that will empower the next generation of leaders,” Catrino explains. “Our support doesn’t stop after graduation; we aim to keep avenues open for students to explore their futures.”
Dartmouth aims to raise $94 million to fully sustain the center and is already well on its way. This initiative showcases a significant commitment compared to similar Ivy League universities where career centers typically assist only 1% to 2% of undergraduates each year. In contrast, Dartmouth’s center aims to support around 4.5%, more than double the average.
The establishment of the McNutt Hall satellite career center on campus has bolstered this initiative. Since Catrino’s appointment, the center has rapidly expanded partnerships and completed a $30 million campaign to fund internships, allowing for support of approximately 250 undergraduates in fields that often lack paid positions—five times more than previously possible.
The remaining funds will enhance the coaching staff and programs essential for the center’s outreach, effectively lowering the student-to-coach ratio from 414:1 in 2023 to 207:1. New coaches will specialize in arts, the environment, government and public services, STEM fields, as well as working with international students, athletes, and first-generation students.
President Beilock aims to secure full funding for the Center for Career Design by June 2027. “Every Dartmouth student will know they have a dedicated team and powerful tools working for them from day one,” she asserts. “Every employer who hires a Dartmouth graduate will understand that they’re gaining an individual capable of critical thinking, quick adaptation, and leadership through complexity. This is the future that the Center for Career Design is committed to achieving.”
Ivie Aiwuyo ’26, a marketing and media intern at the center, expressed her gratitude for the support she has received. “From funding for unpaid internships to mock interview opportunities with career coaches, the Center for Career Design has been integral at every stage of my career exploration,” Aiwuyo states. “The center has played a crucial role in honing my networking and interviewing skills, providing me with a strong foundation for my professional journey after Dartmouth.”
Throughout this process, Catrino and his team have received guidance from a dedicated group of nearly two dozen alumni and parents, led by Mike Triplett ’96, to ensure the center is well-resourced and poised for success.
“The backing from our community reflects the importance of these initiatives,” emphasizes Catrino. “Through coaching, practical experience, AI tools, and a global alumni network, we are empowering students to envision their career possibilities while equipping them with the confidence and skills to realize those dreams. This goes beyond traditional career services; it is career design that lasts a lifetime.”
