In addition to providing career assistance to alumni, including counseling services and webinars, the Center for Career Education encourages alumni volunteers to get involved with the educational programs and employment opportunities for students and other alumni.

Alumni can collaborate with the Center in a myriad of ways, such as:

• volunteering as panelists
• participating in networking events
• posting job and internship opportunities
• providing shadowing and other experiential experiences like Alumni Success Stories

Share your expertise 1 on 1

Columbia Externship Program - March 18-22, 2013

The externship program is designed to give first year undergraduates  an opportunity to be exposed to the professional world during the week of Spring Break (March 18-22, 2013).  Host companies are matched with pre-screened students and offer a job shadowing experience for three-five days.   We are seeking alumni employers based in the NYC area who represent a diverse range of industries.  Former hosts have sponsored a variety of projects including client marketing projects,  researching data for a medical lab or online newspaper, learning the basics of an industry through a series of tutorials, attending meetings, events, or organized tours of the facilities.  We are open to your ideas and thoughts for the best experience the extern could have.

You can view additional details-  Columbia Exploration Externship Program. 

Mock Interview Nights – January 30, February 6 and February 12, 2013

Remember your first interviews in college?  Help current students prepare for the spring interview season by practicing questions like "Tell me about yourself" and "Tell me what you learned from this experience" during these three evening sessions on campus.  We need 30 alumni volunteers.  Please consider joining us especially if you have ever played the role of a recruiter or hired in your organization; your feedback can make a huge difference for a student.  Contact Malla Haridat (vh19@columbia.edu or 212-854-7862)  to sign up.

Hear from recent alumni interviewers why they recommend you should join us for future mock interviewing nights:

Professionals in Residence  - February 25, March 14, 2013
The “Professional in Residence” program is an opportunity for Columbia University students to learn about industries directly from career professionals.  A small group of students meet with a professional during lunch to learn more about  trends, possible career paths, and gain insider information for their future career plans.  Contact Malla Haridat vh19@columbia.edu or 212-854-7862 and share your LinkedIn profile, resume, or bio.

Network with Students

Speed Networking for Engineers - February 13, 2013
Planned in collaboration with the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science Alumni Office, the Society of Women Engineers and the Engineering Student Council, Speed Networking for Engineers provides the opportunity to connect 60 alumni and professionals with students in a night focused on sharing career advice, experiences and potential opportunities.  Alumni network and share advice to pairs of students in 5-10 min rotations.  Please contact Malla Haridat at vh19@columbia.edu to be added to the invite list.

Media Networking Night - March 11, 2013
Join us for our 8th annual event, Media Networking Night, which is designed to bring Columbia students in direct contact with a wide variety of alumni and professionals who can speak candidly about their industries and work experiences. The event features employers from a diverse set of media related industries including but not limited to film, television, radio, communications, advertising, marketing, public relations, books, magazines, and newspapers.  Please register directly at Media Networking registration. 

Coach a PhD

Fireside Chats 
Spend an evening with a small, informal gathering of PhD candidates interested in exploring non-academic career options. We need PhD alumni from the following fields - Research Scientist, History Docent, Venture Capital/Private Equity, Independent Schools, Think Tanks, Biomed Engineering, and Higher Education Administration

Help a student from your desk

Alumni Profiles
Our Alumni Career Profiles showcase the diversity of career paths of Columbia University alumni for students seeking to learn more about opportunities after graduation. We will include brief careers stories of a selected group of alumni who can showcase a range of professional options.  The objective of the tool is to be both informative and inspirational.  We hope that readers (students and other alumni) will gain a sense of the various career paths that individuals take after studying at Columbia University and how careers change and evolve over time. If you are a an alumni from one of our seven schools and interested sharing your advice with students online, please contact Malla Haridat (vh19@columbia.edu or 212-854-7862) and share your LinkedIn profile or bio.

Columbia Career Connections on LinkedIn
Make yourself available for current students and alumni for online career networking through CCE's own LinkedIn group.  Alumni can register by visiting LinkedIn and searching "Columbia Career Connections"

Hire Columbians - Champion interns and full time hires at your company!

We are seeking Columbia alumni who would like to champion the hiring of Columbia students at their respective firms and companies.  Alumni understand the value of the Columbia educational experience and are critical for establishing relationships with hiring decision makers.  Our Employer Outreach team is interested in gathering relevant contacts and introductions to hiring managers as well as meeting alumni who would like to promote the hiring of Columbia talent at their firm. Please contact Patrick Smith, Senior Associate Director of Employer Outreach (ps2211@columbia.edu or 212-854-5496) to learn more about this opportunity.

Mentor a Student

Columbia College Alumni Sponsored Internship Program
The Columbia College Alumni Sponsored student internship program (CCASSIP) is an opportunity for Columbia College sophomores and juniors to gain valuable internship experience during the summer of 2013.  The internships represent a diverse group of industries and are unique opportunities for students to gain direct industry exposure.  Students are paired with an alumni mentor, engage in pre-professional development training, and take part in networking events throughout the summer.  We are seeking CC alumni interested in offering an opportunity at their place of employment as well as mentors.  If interested, please share your bio/LinkedIn profile with Malla Haridat at vh19@columbia.edu.

The Science Technology Engineering Program
The Science Technology Engineering Program is an opportunity for SEAS students to engage in internships in a variety of fields including biomedical, civil, chemical, computer engineering, computer science, earth and environmental, electrical and mechanical for our fourth annual program during the summer of 2013.  Students will intern in the NYC area as well as nationwide for approximately 8-10 weeks.  We seek alumni interested in sharing opportunities as well as those who would be interested in participating as mentors.  Mentors are encouraged to share trends about their industries, best practices for their future hiring opportunities, and advice about career paths.  You can schedule meetings via in person, phone or virtually.  We recommend that you meet at least 3-4 times during the summer. If interested, please share your bio/LinkedIn profile with Malla Haridat at vh19@columbia.edu.

International Alumni

Through the Columbia Experience Overseas Program, Columbia students participate in 8 week high quality internships.  Since 2007, the Center for Career Education has been partnering with employers and alumni in a variety of international cities.  Over 100 students depart from Morningside Heights to intern in a diverse range of industries including finance, consulting, media, health care, arts and not for profit organizations.

If you live in one of the following cities and are interested in mentoring students over the summer, please share your interest with Malla Haridat, CC'97 at vh19@columbia.edu.

• Amman
• Beijing
• Hong Kong
• London
• Istanbul
• Mumbai
• Shanghai
• Singapore

Alumni across the US

As part of our efforts to help students develop their professional networks, the Columbia University Internship Network (CUIn) connects current CU students with alumni mentors during the summer.  We are seeking alumni in several cities during the summer of 2013 to be available as a resource to the student and possibly attend an event or two.   If you live in one of the following cities and are interested in mentoring students during the summer of 2013, please share your interest with Malla Haridat CC'97 at vh19@columbia.edu

• Boston
• Greater Los Angeles area
• San Francisco/Bay area
• Washington, DC
• Chicago

Serving as a mentor is a great way to connect with current Columbia students, build the Columbia brand and help young people at the start of their careers!