Program Overview

The Columbia Communities in Action (CCIA) program provides students with a New York-based internship in the field of civic engagement and not-for-profit. Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference.

Columbia Communities in Action, sponsored by the Office of Student Group Advising (OSGA) and the Center for Career Education (CCE), began in 2008 as a new way to engage students in the community while developing key transferable skills. With the support of career counseling professionals, students are able to identify and develop personally and professionally. As part of the program, participants take part in networking events, training workshops and educational programming designed to help explore career opportunities in civic engagement throughout the Spring semester.

Increasingly, students are interested in using their talents and skills for public service. The CCIA program allows students to intern with a not-for-profit organization that will allow them to simultaneously build skills and gain experience while contributing to a cause they feel passionate about. Students work in a variety of different roles from research on social enterprise to project management to fundraising and development. The possibilities to utilize and apply skills are endless in this field. 

CCIA interns can find opportunities in fields listed below. Internships for the 2010 year will be posted by the end of September on Lionshare. 

Program Features

The CCIA program is a combination of internship experience at a not-for-profit organization, peer connections with other CCIA interns and professional career development and support with a career counselor. Program features include the following: 

• Pre-program training that includes program overview, panel discussions from not-for-profit professionals, and skills and goal setting workshops with the support of a career counseling professional.
• Ten-week internship for 10-20 hours per week during the Spring semester. 
• Mid-semester breakfast with other interns to discuss and debrief on internship experiences.
• One-on-one career counseling appointments throughout the ten weeks to support and enhance the internship experience.
• End of Program Reflection Session that includes evaluation of the internship experience, goal attainment analysis and larger career development discussion. 
• Networking events, fairs and workshops in the field of non-profit and civic engagement.

Program Benefits

Upon completion of the CCIA program, students will have gained a richer understanding of civic engagement and the not-for-profit industry. Students will have learned about the wide variety of roles involved in not-for-profit and had several opportunities to network with individuals currently working in the field.  Additionally, students will have acquired professional skills such as research, effective communication, problem solving, and project management. With the support of a career counseling professional, students will also be able to articulate their experience through goal setting exercises, understanding transferable skills they have gained and reflecting upon their internship experience appropriately.

Opportunities

Student Experiences

CCIA intern Ivette Sanchez had a remarkable experience that changed her career path completely. Read Ivette's story to find out how her internship with National Latina Institute gave her valuable personal, professional and career insight.

 

CCIA intern Beck Pryor decided to try her hand at something outside of her major with Community Enterprise Solutions and found herself packing her bags and heading out of the country after graduation. Read Beck's profile and blog to learn where she landed. 

 

CCIA intern Alexandra Fairweather sharpened her skills with website development and documentary films after an opportunity to work at the Women's City Club of New York. Alexandra used her skills to make a change for something she truly valued: the environment. Check out Alexandra's impressive webpage and mini-documentaries. 

 

Information Sessions

Learn more about the program, the organizations and the internships available by coming to one of our information sessions.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 12:00pm (CCE Conference Room)

Friday, November 6, 2009 12:00pm (CCE Conference Room)

Monday, November 9, 2009 5:00pm (Lerner Hall, Room 402A) 

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Program Contacts

If you have questions about this program, please feel free to contact:

Syeda Lewis
Assistant Director of Experiential Education and Student Enterprises, Center for Career Education
sl3067@columbia.edu

Todd Smith
Associate Dean of Student Affairs / Office of Student Group Advising (OSGA)
ts2488@columbia.edu