The Employer and Alumni Relations team is once again on the road! In early August, Karla Puga (General Studies Alum and Associate Director) and Jazmin Lesane (Assistant Director) traveled to Washington D.C. to explore employment opportunities in Government and the Consulting industry!
D.C. is a prime location for students aiming to work for the government or begin their consulting careers. Situated just over 3 hours from New York City by train, it’s the center of American politics, hosting numerous federal and international agencies, consulting firms, and think tanks. The diverse workforce creates a robust space for networking opportunities, while the city’s lively cultural scene and vibrant lifestyle create a well-rounded environment for personal and professional development. Here are the organizations we met with:
- The Brattle Group
- Charles River Associates
- National Journal
- Council on Foreign Relations
- Nueva Vista Group (NVG)
Each of these organizations presented a unique approach to candidate selection and recruitment, so we wanted to share this information and highlight some key takeaways for anyone seeking a career with these organizations or others like them.
Key Takeaways
Important Skills
Government
The skills government organizations look for varies depending on the role a candidate is applying for. Many agencies place a strong emphasis on skills like writing proficiency, which they assess through cover letters and writing samples. So, make sure you take your time to proofread all written work and book an appointment with a counselor for additional support. Strong research and analytical skills are also essential for informed decision making and effective problem-solving.
In contrast, during our conversation with a representative from an agency within the US Intelligence Community, having foreign language skills beyond English is a major boost to your application. Foreign language proficiency helps organizations to operate internationally and enhance global connectivity. There may be financial incentives for each additional spoken language.
Consulting
Soft skills are vital in the consulting world. Consulting firms we visited mentioned that they are looking for candidates who display leadership, intellectual curiosity, problem solving, critical thinking, and great communication skills. These are fundamental for the completion of projects and further development of your career.
Technical skills requirements vary depending on the team you are part of Charles River Associates has many practices, and depending on the role they are looking for specific skills: Data Analysis skills are important for development of models and research and E-discovery for litigation. Tech skills like Python, forensic tools and physical devices are great for Cyber Security and to recover lost information. On the other hand, the Brattle Group mentions that they are looking for students with data modeling, corporate finance, accounting, sustainability, and energy related skills.
Applications & Candidate Profile for Government & Consulting
Across the board for Government & Consulting organizations, the importance of tailoring your application to the role that you are applying for in order to stand out and show personal interest.
National Journal
Shaly Joseph, Director of Talent Acquisition at National Journal, emphasized the significance of tailoring your resume to align with the diverse range of opportunities available within the organization. The organization values candidates who include unique aspects of their professional and academic experiences when applying. She encouraged students to incorporate relevant areas such as leadership roles, internship experiences, prior research, study abroad, and even community involvement, regardless of the duration of the opportunity.
Council on Foreign Relations
In addition, Caroline McCarry (Assistant Director of Human Resources) at the Council on Foreign Relations, highlighted that it’s acceptable to infuse a personal touch into your cover letter because it aids in conveying your story and provides a more vivid understanding of your “why.” This approach helps prevent your application from sounding cliché or lacking specificity in your writing sample. Celebrate the experiences you’ve gained and the paths that have brought you to apply for this position.
Charles River Associates
Jesse Tomczak, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Charles River Associates emphasized that it is important to showcase interest in the industry in the resume and cover letters. This can be done by including relevant courses and skills for the industries you are applying for. Including previous internships and research experiences within the industry will also make you stand out! Other basic but fundamental tips for resumes shared by Jesse were to “be conscious of spacing and punctuation, to make sur your resume is easy to follow and is kept to one page, and make sure you submit your resume as a PDF”, this will also ensure that your hardwork will keep the original format.
The Brattle Group
Emily Ezzel, SHRM-CP, Recruiter and Justin Thymes, Talent Acquisition Manager at The Brattle Group mentioned to us they look for resumes that are organized and well rounded. They like to see interest in the industry by showcasing research experience, completion of projects, and results in their bulletpoints. Justin mentioned that leadership positions should also be included in the resumes because this information also makes you stand out from other candidates.
Columbia Alumni Connections:
Nueva Vista Group (NVG)
NVG is a participant in CCE’s Navab Fellowship Program. They have been very impressed with the caliber of their Columbia interns. Josh Hurvitz (CC’03) Partner at Nueva Vista Group (NVG) mentioned that Columbia students have a great sense of professionalism and understand how to interact with senior staff and clients on a professional level.
Current intern Carrie Zhang (CC’24) provided insights into her experience as a Navab intern. She highlighted NVG’s open and inclusive work environment, emphasizing her access to colleagues at all levels within the organization. She’s also had the chance to engage in meaningful projects that contribute to the firm’s goals like working with organizations dedicated to supporting migrant first-generation high school students. Through her internship, she gained skills such as effective communication, networking, and the ability to synthesize large amounts of information.
Charles River Associate
We had the opportunity to meet with two alumni: Jungsoo Yoo PhD Merger/Litigation Senior Associate (GS’15) & Ryan Iyer Energy Associate (CC’21). They shared a little about their path in the consulting field. Jungsoo decided to become a consultant after he finished his PhD in Economics, while Ryan was already extremely interested in the energy sector during his time majoring in Computer Science at Columbia. Both advised students to recognize that everyone has different paths and what matters is where this path is going to ultimately get you. They mentioned that you should be genuinely passionate about the job you want to do, demonstrate intellectual curiosity, and not be afraid to embrace who you are.
Washington, D.C. Final Thoughts
Washington D.C. is a vibrant city filled with culture and many opportunities for students looking for internships and full time opportunities. With it being only a few hours away by train, the organizations we spoke to are eager to bring in Columbia talent.
