Blog: Career Services

Highlights

A Team Committed to Your Journey

Dr. Nadia Chamberlin, Assistant Dean of Career and Professional Development, leads a team of seven experts, with six of them supporting all graduate students at Sanford. From internship and job searches to professional development and networking skills, this "small but mighty" team is here to empower you with knowledge and opportunities—not just during your time at Sanford, but as alumni for up to a year after graduation, too.

Tailored Career Advising

Career advising at Sanford is deeply personalized. Mark Brostoff, Director of Career Advising, emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all path. Advisors work closely with each student to understand their goals, strengths, and values. Whether you're coming straight from undergrad or making a career pivot, the team helps you chart a strategic course.

Elizabeth Hoodless, Director of MPP Career Advising, supports domestic Master of Public Policy (MPP) students, while Jon Colon, Director of Global Careers, supports Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) students, MPPs interested in international development, and international MPPs. Jennifer Applebee, Director of Employer Relations, builds strong relationships with employers to connect students with opportunities, and Jeff Oesch, Operations Coordinator, manages data, platforms, and marketing communications.

Employer Engagement and Recruitment Cycles

Sanford partners with a wide range of employers, from government agencies to consulting firms and nonprofits. Many rely on trusted relationships rather than mass recruitment. Some employers, especially in consulting, recruit early in the fall, while others—such as nonprofits and government agencies—tend to hire in winter or spring. The Sanford career services team ensures students are prepared for key recruitment periods and carefully plans engagement with employers accordingly.

Sanford hosts many events to facilitate these connections:

• Employer information sessions (in-person and virtual)
• Variety of workshops (in-person and virtual)
• Career fairs (OneDuke: in-person in fall; Sanford: virtual in spring)
• Alumni panels and networking opportunities

These experiences help students learn about sectors they may not have considered—many discover new interests by simply attending an info session.

The Internship Requirement

For two-year programs, a professional internship is required for graduation. This experiential learning is an opportunity to “test-drive” organizations or roles. Sanford provides extensive support in identifying internships, and funding is available to support unpaid and low-paid opportunities, thanks to donor contributions.

Career Development Course & Workshops

To prepare students for the internship search, Sanford offers a career development course in the fall semester. The course includes:

• Resume and cover letter writing
• Networking and informational interviews with alumni
• LinkedIn and interviewing best practices
• And more

New this year: hands-on lab sessions and workshops will supplement the course.

Resources and Tools

Sanford provides access to a graduate career "Lockbox"—an exclusive resource hub that includes:

• Templates for resumes and cover letters
• Internship/job search guides
• Curated internship/job postings
• Recordings of past career events and workshops
• And more

Students also receive a weekly newsletter with deadlines, featured jobs, and upcoming events. Sector-specific listservs allow students to stay informed on opportunities aligned with their policy interests, including specialized groups for international students.

Outcomes and Impact

Sanford’s outcomes reflect the success of its career support. Students secure internships and jobs across diverse sectors and geographic locations. Annual reports track trends in employment and highlight key employer partnerships.