Explore New Sectors

Identify what you want: See what's out there

Thinking about a next career outside of government can be daunting. Here are some of the sectors you could consider:

Public Corporations: Companies traded on stock exchanges with shareholders (e.g., Apple, Amazon).
Private Corporations: Companies not publicly traded, often family-owned or venture-backed (e.g., Cargill, Mars).
Multinational Corporations (MNCs): Large corporations operating in multiple countries (e.g., Coca-Cola, Toyota).
Social Enterprises: Businesses that generate profit while prioritizing social or environmental missions (e.g., Patagonia, TOMS).
Government Contractors/Consulting: Private companies that provide goods or services to the government (e.g., Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton).
Startups: Early-stage companies focused on innovation, often in tech or biotech (e.g., Thinking Machines Lab, Stripe).

Private Foundations: Funded by a single donor, family, or corporation (e.g., The Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation).
Corporate Philanthropy Programs: Philanthropic arms of corporations that give grants, donations, or match employee contributions (e.g., Google.org, Coca-Cola Foundation).
Community Foundations: Focus on regional giving, pooling resources from multiple donors (e.g., Chicago Community Trust, Silicon Valley Community Foundation).
Public Charities: Actively fundraise to support various causes (e.g., United Way, Red Cross).
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs): Accounts where individuals or corporations can contribute funds and recommend charitable distributions over time (e.g., Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable).
Operating Foundations: Use most of their funds to run their own programs rather than awarding grants (e.g., The Getty Foundation, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace).

Charitable Nonprofits (501(c)(3)): The most common type, focused on education, health, religion, science, and public welfare (e.g., American Red Cross, Feeding America)
Advocacy & Social Welfare Organizations (501(c)(4): Engage in lobbying and political advocacy for social causes (e.g., ACLU, Sierra Club)
Trade & Professional Associations (501(c)(6)): Represent businesses, industries, and professionals, often engaging in lobbying (e.g., Chamber of Commerce, American Medical Association)
Labor & Agricultural Organizations (501(c)(5)): Represent workers' and farmers' interests, including unions (e.g., AFL-CIO, National Farmers Union)
Political Organizations (527 Groups): Raise and spend money on political campaigns, issue advocacy, and voter mobilization (e.g., MoveOn.org, American Crossroads)
Private Foundations: Funded by a single source (individual, family, or corporation) and distribute grants (e.g., Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation)

Higher Education Institutions
- Universities: Large institutions offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees (e.g., Harvard University, University of California system).
- Colleges: Primarily focus on undergraduate education (e.g., Amherst College, Spelman College).
- Community Colleges: Provide two-year associate degrees and workforce training (e.g., Miami Dade College).
- Technical & Vocational Schools: Offer specialized training in trades or technical fields (e.g., Culinary Institute of America).
Research Institutions & Think Tanks
- Independent Research Institutes: Conduct policy, scientific, and technological research (e.g., Brookings Institution, RAND Corporation, MITRE).
- University-Affiliated Research Centers: Operate within universities but focus on specific areas (e.g., MIT Media Lab, Stanford Research Institute).
Professional & Academic Associations
- Disciplinary Associations: Support professionals in a field through networking and research (e.g., American Political Science Association, American Economic Association).
- Accrediting Bodies: Ensure academic institutions meet standards (e.g., Middle States Commission on Higher Education).
Academic Foundations & Philanthropic Organizations
- University Foundations: Raise funds for scholarships, research, and institutional development (e.g., Harvard University Endowment).
- Education-Focused Philanthropy: Support academic initiatives (e.g., Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s education initiatives).