STEP Program Overview

The Science, Technology, Engineering Program (STEP) offers Columbia students high quality internship experiences in a diverse array of engineering fields including biomedical, civil, chemical, computer engineering, computer science, earth and environmental, electrical, engineering management, industrial, mechanical and operations research through alumni and employer partnerships developed by the Center for Career Education (CCE).

Program Features

STEP provides students with full time work experience over the summer.  STEP enables students to connect with Columbia alumni, network with professionals and learn about careers in science, technology & engineering. Program benefits include the following: 

• Optional Mock Interviews with CCE counselors to prepare students for a formal interview process
• Pre-Program Training which includes pre-program overview, internship guidance, goal setting and more
• Build Your Network with fellow STEP students and alumni
• Summer Internship June 2013- August 2013 (dates to be finalized and determined based on employer requirements and needs)
• Alumni Mentoring which will provide personal and professional guidance and support throughout the summer 
• End of Program "Reflection Session" that includes evaluation of the internship experience, goal attainment analysis and larger career development discussion

Program Benefits

Upon completion of STEP, students will have gained substantive work experience and developed key professional and engineering practical skills. Students will have had opportunities to network with professionals and Columbia alumni. With the support of a career counselor, students will also be able to reflect upon their internship and articulate their experiences to highlight key transferable skills.

Opportunities & How to Get Involved

There are two ways to become involved in the STEP Program.

• Secure Your Own Internship (Opt-in) and apply to be part of the STEP program. As of March 31, 2013, the STEP 2013 application process has officially closed.  Please check back in Fall 2013 for more information on the summer 2014 STEP Program.
  
• Obtain a STEP Internship (Pre-Approved) by accepting a “CCESTEP” position posted on LionSHARE.  As of March 31, 2013, the STEP 2013 application process has officially closed.  Please check back in Fall 2013 for more information on the summer 2014 STEP Program.

Opt-In STEP Participant:

Did you receive an internship?  Congrats!  Once you secure your own science, technology or engineering internship for the summer of 2013, you are eligible to apply as an Opt-in STEP Student.  As an Opt-in STEP Student, you will receive all STEP benefits upon acceptance of the Opt-in STEP documents.  Space is limited and the deadline to apply is March 31, 2013. 
As of March 31, 2013, the STEP 2013 application process has officially closed.  Please check back in Fall 2013 for more information on the summer 2014 STEP Program.

Pre-Approved STEP Participant:

Throughout the fall and spring, certain science, technology & engineering positions will be labeled "CCESTEP" on LionSHARE.  To be a Pre-Approved STEP Student, you must apply and be accepted into a “CCESTEP” position that is posted on LionSHARE.  At that point, you will be automatically enrolled in the STEP Program to receive all benefits.  To search for these positions, keyword search “CCESTEP.”  All STEP 2013 internships will be posted on a rolling basis in LionSHARE.  As of March 31, 2013, the STEP 2013 application process has officially closed.  Please check back in Fall 2013 for more information on the summer 2014 STEP Program.

Sample of Previous STEP Positions:

• The Boeing Company – Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering
• Buro Happold – Civil, Electrical, Sustainable Development
• Brooklyn Motorized Corporation – Mechanical Engineering
• Department of Transportation – Alternative Fuel, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Traffic Management
• ECI Technology – Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering Internships
• Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold – Supply chain                        
• Hazen and Sawyer – Civil or Environmental
• Infosys Corporation – Technology
• Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research – Biomedical Research 
• Kaptur – Software Development
• MediaMerx – Software Engineering   
• Metro North Railroad – Civil Engineering
• Microsoft – Software Development
• Thornton Tomasetti – Civil Engineering
• R3 Energy – Management Internship         
• VMware – Software Engineering

2012 Interns

	Intern: Mike Defeo, SEAS 2013 Position & Employer: Intern, Citi Location: New York, NY Check out Mike’s memorable blog about his summer with Citi in the City!
	Intern: Jiaqi Liu, SEAS 2014 Position & Employer: Software Intern, Kaptur Location: New York, NY Check out Jiaqi’s captivating blog about her summer with Kaptur!

Information Sessions

November 28, 2012, co-sponsored by the CCSC 2015

5:00pm - 6:00pm

CCE Conference Room

Register Now

December 6, 2012

12:00pm - 1:00pm

CCE Conference Room

Register Now

January, 22, 2013, co-sponsored by the Columbia University Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

5:00PM - 6:00PM

CCE Conference Room

Register Now

Program Contacts

If you have questions about this program, please contact:

Jill Burya
Senior Assistant Director, Experiential Education & Student Enterprises
jb3412@columbia.edu

Patrick Smith
Senior Associate Director, Outreach
ps2211@columbia.edu