Think tanks, which include research centers and policy institutes, are organizations that conduct research to support the creation and evolution of public policy.
Think tanks may focus on one particular issue or a combination of them. Areas of research include social policy, political strategy, economics, and industrial/business policy. Financial support for these organizations comes from several sources, including government entities, advocacy organizations, and private businesses.
Students interested in policy research should consider issues of interest, level of direct activism by the think tank, the organization’s relationship with the government, and the student’s role within the organization. An entry-level professional in this field will most likely conduct supportive qualitative or quantitative research for a larger group initiative within the think tank. Research experience at Yale, particularly independent research projects, and an extensive knowledge base regarding specific public issues can make an applicant more marketable for research positions.
Explore internship and full-time opportunities at various Think Tanks and Research Institutes. This article provides some initial considerations for students who are thinking about interning with a Think Tank. Below are direct links to various Think Tanks and Research Institutes:
For those interested in public service work, whether that be through structured internship programs, post-graduate employment, community service, or volunteer work, it’s important to think about what responsible engagement looks like.
Review this page on Planning Public Service Projects to learn more about what responsible engagement looks like and how you can develop a plan that aligns well for you and the community you are hoping to serve.
2026 Spring Internship Position
The Carbon Containment Lab (CC Lab) is hiring spring research interns to contribute to our mission of developing innovative greenhouse gas reduction and containment approaches. Interns will support a range of programs and projects aiming to …
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For any Yale students seeking full time and internship opportunities in government and policy, the time is now to log into Traverse Jobs!
Traverse Jobs is a subscription only job board which includes thousands of advocacy jobs in Politics, Policy …
Firsthand helps students, professionals, and job-seekers find the right career path through career exploration and connections with mentors and employers.
OCS is excited to share our brand new YouTube Channel! You’ll find all our animated videos, panel talks, career development …
New Government Job Board Available to Yale Students! Traverse Jobs – Connecting you to jobs that make a difference
Yale’s Common …
Student Veterans of America® (SVA) is the premier organization leading service, research, programs, and advocacy for veterans in higher education. Â
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The Office of Career Strategy collects information about Yale College graduates. This tool allows users to search outcomes by year and major. Please visit Statistics & Reports for more information on our data collection.
Helpful Tips for the Interactive Tool:
| Knowledge Rate | Employed or in Graduate School | Mean Starting Salary | Top Five Industries |
|---|---|---|---|
91.4% of those graduating between July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024.
|
93.5% employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation | $90,097 among graduates employed full-time in the United States | Financial Services, Education, Technology, Consulting, and Healthcare |
First Destination refers to the postgraduate plans of Yale College graduates six months after graduation. The pursuits of Yale graduates include employment, graduate school, independent research, military service, and more.
This list of employers shows organizations that hired the most graduates in the selected year and/or major. Please note employers are listed first in the order of those that hired the most graduates but are listed in alphabetical order if the same number of graduates were hired in the same year or major. This list changes annually, and the Office of Career Strategy works closely with employers across industries and functional areas.
It is notable that no single industry or functional area attracts Yale graduates as a critical mass, which is consistent with Yale’s liberal arts education through which graduates gain valuable skills desirable to many roles. Use the tabs below to view both function and industry choices.
Yale graduates choose employers of all sizes and typically only about half of the graduates in each class choose the largest size employers (501+ employees).
The salary information below includes only salaries self-reported by graduates employed full-time in the U.S. and does not include bonuses or other forms of compensation.
Although graduates report accepting their post-graduate positions throughout their senior year, typically 50% of graduates secure their full-time position in the spring of senior year or later.
Yale students pursue an array of activities, including study abroad, research, and internships, and many receive funding from Yale for these endeavors. The following charts show the percentage of Yale students who undertook (1) credit-bearing study abroad experiences, (2) summer research opportunities, (3) summer internships, and (4) received summer funding.
When considering an entire Class, the majority remain in the U.S., while on average more than 10% reside outside of the country.
NOTE: Hover over each state to see the percentage of graduates in that state. Grey indicates no graduates from this class year.
The list below shows Universities most often attended by graduates in the selected year, however, Yale alums enroll in programs around the world. In the case where there are a significant number of graduates enrolled in a Professional School at a University, that School may be listed separately (for example Yale School of Public Health and Yale University).
The chart below shows the graduate degrees being pursued immediately after graduation. Each year, more than 70% of Yale College graduates employed immediately after graduation indicate they intend to pursue a graduate degree in the next five years.
We don’t have enough student data to show you these results.
