How to Leverage Northeastern’s Locations for Your Career Advancement

Your career trajectory is shaped by the opportunities you access, the skills and knowledge you acquire, and the connections you make. Northeastern’s unique global campus network is designed to give you an edge in all three areas, no matter where you live. With strategically located campuses, Northeastern connects students to thriving industries, regional expertise, and collaborative opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.

“What Northeastern has created is opportunity,” says Dinuka Gunaratne, director of career development and experiential learning at Northeastern’s Vancouver campus. “If you’re willing to step up and reach out across the network, people will show up. So there’s really nothing stopping you from improving your career prospects when enrolled.”

With Northeastern, your location doesn’t limit your opportunities—it expands them. Whether it’s connecting with a local industry leader or collaborating with a diverse group of peers, Northeastern’s network can empowers you to take charge of your career.

Expand your career horizons with a powerful global network

Northeastern’s global campus network offers students a unique advantage by fostering collaboration across locations, disciplines, and industries. This innovative approach ensures students gain access to not only their local campus resources, but also Northeastern’s collective opportunities, expertise, and connections around the world.

“We’ve come to a point where our students can now collaborate across the global network,” Gunaratne says. “Students in one location are working with peers in others and building relationships in ways that prepare them for the matrix-style organizations that dominate today’s job market.”

Through this dynamic, interconnected system, Northeastern’s campuses empowers students to tap into career opportunities that span the globe.

How the Northeastern campus facilitates career connections across its network

Cross-campus industry partnerships that open career doors.

Northeastern’s global network excels at building career connections by leveraging cross-campus partnerships with industry leaders. These collaborations give students opportunities to engage in cutting-edge projects, network with professionals, and develop skills that prepare them for the global workforce.

One standout example is the Google Developer Communities on Campus student interest groups, which now span seven Northeastern campuses. By connecting students from Portland, Silicon Valley, Vancouver, and beyond, this initiative fosters collaboration on joint programming and networking opportunities. It also allows students to engage with Google’s resources while building relationships across the university’s network.

The Qualcomm partnership is another compelling example of how Northeastern facilitates cross-campus connections. Initially established at Northeastern’s College of Engineering in Boston, the relationship quickly expanded to include campuses in Seattle and beyond. “We are now building a network-wide partnership,” Gunaratne says. “For companies like Qualcomm, this kind of exposure at scale is unprecedented.”

Real-world learning that gives you an edge.

Northeastern’s commitment to experiential learning is at the core of its educational philosophy, offering students transformative opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. The university’s global network enhances this approach by enabling students to participate in unique, network-wide initiatives that foster collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.

One such recent initiative is the Global Network–wide Climate Resiliency Hackathon, aimed at tackling pressing environmental challenges through local events at each Northeastern campus. “Participating in things like the hackathon, which spreads across the network, really offers constant experiential learning opportunities for students,” Gunaratne says.

During this hackathon, students collaborate closely with peers from their own campus while sharing workshops, resources, and support provided across the entire network. This approach not only fosters campus-based teamwork but also celebrates a broader engagement that mirrors the cross-functional collaboration found in today’s global organizations. 

Another standout program is the Experiential Expo, a Seattle-born initiative that highlights student projects and industry partnerships, offering students the chance to showcase their work to alumni and employers. Plans are already underway to expand this model to other campuses, which demonstrates how Northeastern campuses leverage its network to replicate and scale successful programs.

Alumni connections that go beyond your campus.

Northeastern’s alumni network plays a pivotal role in fostering career opportunities for students across its global campus network. By leveraging the expertise and connections of alumni, the university ensures students can access mentorship, networking opportunities, and meaningful career guidance—regardless of their location.

One way alumni contribute is through career fairs hosted across campuses, where they engage with current students and recent graduates as representatives from their companies. These events are not limited to alumni from the hosting campus. In fact, Northeastern’s campuses invite graduates to participate, creating a truly global networking experience. 

“We recently invited alumni to our Vancouver career fair, regardless of whether they graduated from our campus or not,” Gunaratne says. “And they were really excited to reconnect with the university and explore ways to engage with current students in other locations.”

Alumni are also deeply involved in mentorship and organizational collaborations. For instance, the former CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission Rick Leary, a Northeastern alumnus, has actively engaged with the Toronto campus, sharing insights and opportunities with students.

Study where opportunity meets industry demand

By tailoring programs to meet regional industry demands, each Northeastern campus is positioned as a hub for career advancement by connecting students to opportunities that align with their professional goals. Here’s an overview of what locations the university has to offer and how it can impact your career.

New England: A leader in healthcare, tech, and sustainability.

New England is home to some of Northeastern’s most prominent campuses. With its blend of state-of-the-art hospitals, tech companies, and coastal locations, New England provides an ideal environment for students to connect with several thriving industries. 

Each campus in this region offers unique opportunities tailored to the strengths of its local economy and community:

• Boston, MA: As Northeastern’s flagship campus, Boston provides unparalleled access to industries such as healthcare, education, and technology, while serving as a central hub for piloting innovative programs that often expand across the university’s network
• Burlington, MA: Focuses on research and technology-driven initiatives by fostering strong partnerships with regional tech companies to support careers in engineering, technology, and innovation
• Nahant, MA: Offers opportunities in environmental science and marine industries, where students engage in research and fieldwork addressing issues like climate change and ocean sustainability
• Portland, ME: Connects students to Maine’s growing economy in environmental sciences and biotechnology by building strong ties with local industries and providing opportunities in sustainable development and cutting-edge research

The Southeast: Finance, government, and international business hub.

The Southeast is home to three of Northeastern’s strategically located campuses, each offering unique opportunities to connect with some of the region’s most dynamic and rapidly evolving industries. From finance and technology to government and international business, the Southeast provides students with an ideal environment to gain the skills and experience needed to thrive in competitive job markets.

Each campus in this region leverages the strengths of its local economy and industries to create tailored opportunities for career advancement:

• Charlotte, NC: Connects students to industries like finance, energy, and technology through programs designed to adapt to trends such as AI and automation in one of the nation’s fastest-growing financial hubs
• Miami, FL: Emphasizes connections to global markets, healthcare, and technology to prepare students to excel in multilingual and multicultural environments
• Arlington, VA: Offers access to government, cybersecurity, and defense industries by enabling students to engage with leaders in policy-making, national security, and emerging technologies

The West Coast: Tech, startups, and cutting-edge innovation.

Northeastern’s West Coast campuses immerse students in some of the world’s most influential industries, from technology and entrepreneurship to aerospace and innovation. The region’s thriving ecosystems, proximity to industry leaders, and emphasis on innovation make it an ideal location for students seeking to advance their careers in competitive and fast-paced markets.

Each campus leverages its location to connect students with thriving industries and career opportunities:

• Oakland, CA: Fosters collaboration with innovative startups and mission-driven organizations shaping the future of business and society
• Silicon Valley, CA: Connects students to leading tech firms, startups, and venture capital networks through internships and co-ops with companies like Google and Apple
• Seattle, WA: Prepares students for careers in tech, aerospace, and innovation through direct industry connections with close ties to global companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing 

International: Global campuses that align with thriving industries.

Northeastern’s international campuses connect students to some of the world’s most vibrant and innovative global markets. From Toronto’s booming financial and technology sectors to Vancouver’s creative and sustainable industries, these campuses align education with the regional job market.

Each campus leverages its location to offer tailored opportunities for career advancement:

• Toronto, Canada: Connects students with industry leaders driving innovation through partnerships with local companies, providing practical experience in one of North America’s fastest-growing economies
• Vancouver, Canada: Offers opportunities in gaming, film, and sustainable technologies by connecting students with an ecosystem of creative professionals and sustainability-focused organizations
• London, United Kingdom: Provides access to international markets and cultural industries through its alumni network and local partnerships in global business, finance, and creative sectors

Take control of your future with unmatched career support

Northeastern’s global campus network is a gateway to unparalleled career advancement, connecting students to opportunities that stretch far beyond their local communities. However, unlocking the full potential of this network requires initiative and a willingness to engage with its many resources.

“Shake the tree,” Gunaratne says. “You never know what opportunities will fall.”

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, enrolling in a graduate program at Northeastern is a powerful step forward. It’s more than an investment in your education—it’s a commitment to your future. With access to a vast network of resources, alumni, and industry partnerships, Northeastern is uniquely positioned to help you achieve your professional goals.