Students

The Taubman Center and its affiliates (Government Performance Lab, Program on Crisis Leadership, Program on Education Policy and Governance, Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, Autonomous Vehicles Policy Initiative) support students on three key fronts: 

  • Experiential learning opportunities 
  • Mentoring for and connections to projects and jobs with states, counties, and cities 
  • Engagement and events with state and local government leaders 

The Taubman Center provides experiential learning opportunities for students within state, county, and city government to gain critical hands-on skills, while allowing students to contribute their ideas, passion, and capacity. We bring state and local government leaders from around the country to HKS to speak openly with students about their roles, successes, and challenges. 

In addition to the below opportunities, there are fellowship and experiential learning opportunities to engage with key state and local agencies in the Greater Boston area through the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston. Learn more about the Rappaport Institute and student opportunities here.  

The Taubman Center also collaborates with the Office of Career Advancement and many HKS Centers and Initiatives to support students in providing guidance on and connections to state and local governments for projects and career opportunities. To meet with the Taubman Center Executive Director, Rafael Carbonell, please contact Sabrina Davis to make an appointment.  

This Seminar Series is for Harvard Kennedy School students from all degree programs who have an interest in better understanding, and potentially having a direct hand in some day shaping and improving, the increasingly competitive, complex and changing field of economic development. Learn more about the Economic Development Seminar here.  

The Taubman Center also collaborates with others in the HKS community to support students in providing guidance on and connections to state and local governments clients for policy analysis exercises (PAE). Learn more about PAE support here.  

The Taubman Center Urban Prize is open to to Harvard Kennedy School students, with a focus on entries that have been prepared originally as policy analysis exercises (PAEs). Learn more about the Taubman Center Urban Prize here. 

Transition Term is a program for Harvard Kennedy School students to work in the transition offices of newly-elected Mayors and Governors during January Term. Students complete short, meaningful projects while learning how an executive team moves from campaigning to governing. Learn more about Transition Term here.  

Treks are student-led, Taubman Center supported trips to meet state and local leaders in cities and towns in the country’s interior and in more rural areas. Learn more about Treks here.  

The Taubman Center offers modest grants to Harvard student organizations for support with development-related projects or events. Learn more about Student Organizations here.