Community Impact Initiative

8-12

weeks of part-time experience

9

hours of work per week

10+

nonprofit and startup partners

Imagine leveraging the business skills and knowledge you gain as a D'Amore-McKim graduate student to make a tangible impact on your community. The Graduate Career Center's Community Impact Initiative offers you this unique opportunity. The business skills and knowledge you gain as a D'Amore-McKim graduate student can make a tangible impact on your community.

You'll collaborate with a team of master's and MBA students, each bringing their own unique skill sets. This experience not only broadens your professional network but also enhances your career prospects, setting you on a path to success. Don't miss this chance to grow personally and professionally while contributing to meaningful work.

Program Details

Full-time graduate degree students studying on campus can apply to consult remotely or in a hybrid format with a mission-driven organization or startup. You'll contribute up to nine hours per week for 8-12 weeks over your spring or summer semester, helping your organization undertake an important initiative. 

Benefits
Who is eligible?
How to apply

Build experience
Spend a spring or summer semester helping an organization achieve its goals while enhancing your resumé.

Real-world application
Apply your business learnings in a setting where results change lives.

Expand your network
Build valuable connections with organization leaders and fellow business students.

Demonstrate skills
Build skills that employers value, including effective communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem solving.

Full-time graduate degree students studying at one of our global campuses can apply to consult remotely or in a hybrid format with a mission-driven organization. International students may participate without using CPT authorization.

Space is limited in the Community Impact Initiatives, so be sure to update your resumé and profile in NUworks and review available opportunities with our partner organizations as soon as they are posted.

You may participate in only one Community Impact Initiative, but you may apply for up to three to maximize your chances of securing a spot.

You'll be invited to interview if your chosen nonprofit thinks you're a good match. 

NUworks
Lane Libby headshot

“While learning about business management in class is valuable, nothing beats the insights gained from real experience. This initiative allowed me to build a client relationship and develop practical skills in a supportive environment.

Lane L., MS in International Management'25
Community Impact Initiative: Behind the Book

What impacted me the most was seeing how directly my analysis informed real business strategy. It made the impact of the work tangible and showed me exactly how analytics drives decision-making in practice. 

Eric (Yunke) Zhong, MS in Business Analytics'26
Community Impact Initiative: AI cybersecurity platform company

Program Timeline

Past Community Impact Initiatives

  • Used data analytics and marketing strategies to strengthen the volunteer base for Behind the Book, a New York City-based literacy program
  • Created a comprehensive marketing plan for Candorful, an organization focused on helping transitioning members of the military and their spouses to civilian careers  
  • Used analytics skills to help Hatua Network, a Kenya-based nonprofit focused on providing scholarships to low-income families onboard to a modern data platform  
  • Developed a financial forecast for Crossroads of Michigan, an anti-poverty organization  

Past employers:

Employers SAY STUDENTS drive success

Developing marketing strategies to help servicemembers

“A position at Candorful is a great learning opportunity and a chance to build experience valued by potential employers. You'll solve complex problems as you contribute to a mission-driven organization.”
Pat Hubbell, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Candorful

Student insights evaluate AI systems

“If you're looking for an opportunity to do more than observe, this is an experience I'd highly recommend participating in the Community Impact Initiative. You'll work on real business challenges, contribute ideas that can influence products and strategy, and gain experience solving problems alongside industry professionals.”
Bruno Dupont, Co-Founder & Head of Data at Zero to 1
UTWWA Logo

Empowering an at-risk generation through consulting

“What sets the Community Impact Initiative apart is the level of access students have to organizational leadership. That kind of close collaboration gives them a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how leaders shape strategy, culture, and priorities in a mission-driven organization.”
Anne Wells, Founder and Director at Unite the World with Africa Foundation

StudentS HAVE Meaningful experiences

Eric (Yunke) Zhong headshot

Mastering analytics in the Bay Area

“What impacted me the most during the Community Impact Initiative is seeing how directly analysis connects to business strategy and shapes where teams focus their time and effort. It made it clear how the work translates into real decisions and how analytics is used in practice.”
Eric (Yunke) Zhong, MS in Business Analytics'26
Govind Alagappan headshot

Leveraging AI to solve complex problems

“Through the AI Strategic Hub, I developed a Bitcoin trading model for Vero Ventures that autonomously executes trades, allowing me to apply advanced analytics in a real-world setting.”
Govind Alagappan, MS in Business Analytics'26
Cassandra Knowles headshot

Harnessing analytics to support communities in Tanzania

“This Community Impact Initiative experience has sharpened my strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, helping me approach challenges more creatively. These skills will be valuable as I pursue a career in analytics, where interpreting data and developing effective strategies are essential.”
Cassandra Knowles, MS in Business Analytics'25
Lane Libby headshot

Leveraging global experiences for a consulting career

“I've been interested in consulting for some time, but my experience at D'Amore-McKim has deepened that passion and helped me take meaningful steps toward this career path. While learning about business management in class is valuable, nothing beats the insights gained from real experience. This initiative allowed me to build a client relationship and develop practical skills in a supportive environment.”
Lane L., MS in International Management'25

FAQs

Apply to join a Community Impact Initiative after you've completed a fall and spring semester in your graduate program in Boston. You'll work up to nine hours per week over the spring or summer term. 

Once the Graduate Career Center confirms you're academically eligible, your application gets reviewed by the organization. If they think you're a good fit, they might invite you for an interview. Ultimately, it's the organization that makes the final decision on who gets selected.

No. This is a volunteer opportunity to put your business learnings into action through service that supports Northeastern's partnerships with schools, neighborhood and international agencies, health clinics, nonprofit organizations, and more. 

You'll receive valuable feedback on your work throughout the program from nonprofit leadership and your career advisor.

Yes! Community Impact Initiatives administered by the Graduate Career Center do not require Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization.

At D'Amore-McKim, experiential learning is more than a feature. It's the foundation. This immersive, hands-on approach to learning empowers you to connect theory to practice, build critical skills for your resumé, clarify your career goals, and lead with confidence. 

Learn how to leverage experiential learning opportunities here.