With an average of eight to ten years experience prior to joining our program, combined with MIT’s state-of-the-art education in managing complex systems, SDM fellows are among the most highly sought after graduates at MIT.
What You Can Expect From Our Fellows
SDM takes pride in educating leaders with the ability to manage complex systems. Titles held by our graduates in industry include:
- Senior product manager
- Systems architect
- Director of hardware engineering
- Vice president of engineering and technology
- Software engineering manager
- Senior technical program manager
Our fellows have also chosen to enter nonprofit, financial, and consulting arenas, holding titles such as:
- Senior consultant
- Manager of corporate strategic planning
- Analytics engagement lead
- Head of commercialization
For additional information on SDM hiring outcomes, please see our Employment Report.
Recruiting and Hiring Current Students
The SDM program helps facilitate the recruiting process for companies seeking to hire current self-funded SDM students, as well as international students eligible for Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training, or the OPT STEM extension for both full-time and internship opportunities.
Employers can choose to give an on-campus presentation and conduct interviews — often the most effective path to recruitment. SDM will work with your company to customize a recruitment strategy that fits your timeframe and needs — from posting summer and full-time positions to sharing our collections of current student resumes for direct outreach.
Hiring International Students for U.S.-Based Positions
Full-Time Employment
An H-1B visa from the U.S. Customs & Immigration service allows for three years of professional employment and may be extended for an additional three years. Employer and employee petition together for the visa.
Internships and Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Most international MIT SDM students with F-1 visas are eligible to participate in a Department of Homeland Security approved educational program called Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Curricular Practical Training authorizes international students to work legally in the U.S. during the summer between their two full years of study. The work authorization is provided by MIT and the Department of Homeland Security prior to the student starting work. On the first day of employment, the student will already have all the necessary documentation to legally complete the I-9 form and begin work for your company. This work authorization requires no pre- or post-work administration on the part of the employer: no paperwork, no pre-qualification, and no fees.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Optional Practical Training is a benefit of a student’s F-1 visa status that allows them to pursue additional training by working in the U.S. for up to 12 months after completing their studies. As a STEM-designated program, graduates from SDM are eligible for an additional 24 months’ extension to their OPT status for a total of 36 months of optional practical training.
For more information on hiring international students, please visit MIT’s Career Advising and Professional Development and International Students Office websites.
Our Alumni Network
Our alumni network is a rich resource for finding talented, seasoned professionals.
Through our exclusive posting system, we can help you advertise your direct-hire positions to our network of more than 1,000 alumni.
Participating Companies
Since its inception, many companies have recruited at SDM. Over the years, these have included the following:
- Amazon
- Apple
- C3
- EY
- Flex
- Nasdaq
- Schneider Electric
- Shell TechWorks
- SumoLogic
- Tesla
- Vivint Smart Home
- Wayfair
Connect With SDM
Are you hiring? Looking to give an on-campus presentation? Interested in recruiting current SDM students or alumni?
Inquiries can be sent to:
Julie Papp
Manager, SDM Career Development
sdmcareers@mit.edu