Wondering how your choice of major may relate to your future career? There are few straight lines between major and career. Employers consider your experience both inside and beyond the classroom. And while some roles may require specialized technical knowledge or coursework, key professional skills like critical thinking, communication, and analysis can be developed across many fields of study.
Explore the Major Tip Sheets below to see a sampling of where recent alumni have gone on to work or study right after graduation, and to learn about the career competencies developed within that major. You’ll note that Columbia graduates work in a variety of functions and industries, even within a single field of study.
For international students who wish to work in the United States, we encourage you to meet with a career counselor to understand how your choice of major impacts your U.S. work authorization options, the required link between off-campus work and your primary field of study, and current trends in hiring and sponsorship across industries.
Have a question about linking your major to a career? Check out our subscription resource What Can I Do with This Major? or book a 30-minute career counseling appointment. Career counselors can help you explore areas of interest, connect skills and knowledge gained from your coursework to those that employers are seeking, and communicate your academic learnings in an application or interview.