Spring 2026 Events Recap: Takeaways from Industry Spotlights and Recruiting Showcases

The Early ID & Pipeline Programs Recruiting Showcase highlighted programs designed to identify talent as early as their first or second years and facilitate the transition into industry. This event provided a unique platform to discover more about these pipelines and connect with top-tier employers, including representatives who had participated in these programs.

Employers included:

• Standard Chartered: A London-based global bank focusing on international mindsets. They highlighted their Early Insight Program (a three-day program designed for first years and sophomores in February) and their junior summer internship.
• Nuveen (A TIAA Company): A leader in asset management offering internships and a full-time Early Talent Program. They encourage students of all majors to apply for roles in HR, Data Analytics, Finance, and Software.
• Hudson River Trading (HRT): A math and tech-driven trading firm. The application for their Inside HRT program for second-year students typically opens in March.
• Veeva Systems: A software company for the biotech industry. They highlighted their full-time roles starting in July and engineering internships for juniors. They also emphasized the importance of clearly communicating your motivations during the hiring process.
• Verist: Focused on property and casualty insurance, this NYC-based firm values early engagement and candidates who want to make a tangible impact. They prioritize an in-person, collaborative work style.
• EssilorLuxottica: The parent company behind iconic brands like Ray-Ban. They showcased a wide range of corporate hiring roles and numerous internship openings for the upcoming summer.
• The U.S. Navy: A branch of the U.S. military. They highlighted their recruitment process for the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Track. For STEM students with strong calculus backgrounds, the program, starting as early as first year, offers a pathway where the Navy pays salaries while students are still in school, leading to commissioned officer roles upon graduation.

Several recurring themes emerged for students looking to land competitive opportunities like those described above. Many firms, like Standard Chartered and HRT, have application windows that open nearly a year in advance, so start early. Employers encourage students to pursue interests outside the classroom: passion projects, hackathons, and competitions are great ways to showcase skills. And stay curious. As the team at Verist advised: “Talk to everyone and ask many questions.” Networking is a skill that pays off early.

The Marketing, Branding, & Communications Industry Spotlight highlighted organizations and teams that shape stories, build audiences, and develop creative communication strategies and campaigns. From small scale agencies to teams within larger companies, the representatives showcased a range of career paths for students interested in engaging their storytelling, research, data analysis, and content creation skills.

Featured employers included:

• BEGOOD Agency: A boutique marketing agency and outsourced marketing team that provides full-service strategies for clients, specializing in consumer packaged goods. The CEO & Founder stated that her small team is always looking to bring on fresh talent with skills in social media management and content creation.
• Cinereach: A creative sanctuary and narrative strategist that supports filmmakers through intentional grants and creative guidance. The Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications explained the marketing-and-entertainment ecosystem and discussed how to effectively pitch a film in order to secure investments while also maintaining the messaging of the artist. 
• Firefish US: A leading player in the world of insights as a qualitative research consultancy, known for delivering innovative ideas and strategies to major brands. The company’s director discussed how the company uses different methods of getting to know their audiences (focus groups, online dialogue, social media analytics) to tailor to different audiences. 
• Penguin Random House: The country’s largest book publisher, connecting readers with writers across the globe and all genres. Their Director of Marketing Analytics discussed a recent campaign about fighting censorship. PRH hires interns seasonally.

Across presentations, the employers emphasized that candidates should demonstrate a passion for learning about the industry, even if they do not have direct work experience in these areas. Other desirable competencies in candidates include effective communication, persuasive writing, creative thinking, research skills, and the ability to implement changes based on data or feedback.

The Health & Life Sciences Industry Spotlight brought together employers that work across biology, public health, research, technology, and medicine to improve patient lives, develop new products, provide aid, and more. Students interested in these fields met with representatives from the following organizations:

• Veeva Systems: A software, data, and consulting company for the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, specializing in the product lifecycle of drugs. While Veeva Systems does not hire interns, they host intensive, full-time development programs in Engineering, Analytics, and Consulting across major hubs like NYC, Boston, and Toronto.
• EssilorLuxottica: A leader in the vision care industry, they highlighted their role in developing smart eyewear (Ray-Ban Meta Glasses) and med-tech for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. At the time of the presentation, they had a variety of paid internships available, and they hire interns regularly.
• Peace Corps: A federal agency harnessing volunteers to address projects related to agriculture, youth development, education, environment, health, and economic development. They highlighted the training provided for corps members and that all projects are determined by matching community and corps member needs.
• LifeSci NYC Internship Program: A paid initiative that places undergraduate and graduate students into diverse scientific and business roles at over 250 local biotech startups and pharmaceutical companies. Students submit a general application and then receive access to a list of available opportunities for the summer and the academic year. Students then submit cover letters for specific roles.
• Nagarro: A digital engineering and consulting firm that develops software related to bio-pharma, biostatistics, med-tech, patient engagement, and more. Nagarro hires for technical internships including DevOps, Mobile App Development, Business Analysis, and Mobile App Testing.

Spotlight employers shared that students should be on the lookout for events and networking opportunities to build your connections and be open-minded as they explore. The health and life sciences industry is growing far beyond the clinic and lab, evolving into an ecosystem with doors into tech, business, and product development. Regardless of major, students can find opportunities in these fields. 

The Research Careers Industry Spotlight brought together employers and campus partners highlighting the breadth of opportunities available in research-driven roles, from global communications and asset management to artificial intelligence and academia. The principal theme was how research is not confined to a single path or discipline. Whether designing mixed-method studies to inform client strategy, analyzing financial markets and sustainability trends, or advancing AI research inspired by human cognition, these organizations emphasized the real-world impact of research and its relevance in a data-driven landscape.

Participating employers included: 

• EdelmanDXI: A global communications firm that designs research strategies to support clients like Starbucks, AstraZeneca, and TJ Maxx. Edelman emphasized how AI is informing and reshaping their approaches to research.
• Capital Group: A financial services company managing major assets and portfolios. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) specialists shared their approach to researching how environmental and social issues may affect long-term investment risks and opportunities. Capital Group highlighted structured internship experiences, including rotational programs that expose students to multiple facets of investment research. 
• Artificial and Natural Intelligence Institute (ARNI): A cohort funded by the National Science Foundation that conducts interdisciplinary research between neuroscience and AI to back both theoretical and use-inspired work. ARNI emphasized opportunities for undergraduates to engage directly in pioneering AI projects, even without prior research experience. 
• Undergraduate Research & Fellowships (URF): Columbia’s office dedicated to helping students apply to and engage in research and fellowship opportunities at Columbia and beyond. Undergraduates can book advising appointments or go to virtual walk-in advising to discuss their plans.

Across organizations, representatives emphasized intellectual curiosity and the ability to think creatively with data. Technical skills such as financial modeling or data analysis are valuable, but employers consistently noted that these can be developed over time; what matters most is a genuine interest in asking questions, exploring complex problems, and learning more.

The spotlight also reinforced the importance of relationship-building. Panelists encouraged students to actively engage with faculty, professionals, alumni, and peers to explore their interests and uncover opportunities. URF pointed out that it is never too late to get started in research and that many faculty are eager to mentor students who show initiative. Students were encouraged to take advantage of campus resources, seek out interdisciplinary collaborations, and remain open to emerging fields like AI, where the intersection of disciplines is creating new career possibilities.

The Mission-Driven Careers Spotlight welcomed a diverse array of organizations dedicated to social impact, policy, and public service. Representatives discussed the details of their work, the passion behind it, and how students can thrive in these environments.

Participating organizations included:

• United Nations World Food Programme: The world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The team provided global perspectives on their massive humanitarian logistics operation serving over 100 million people in moments of war and natural disasters crises. 
• Urban Institute: A DC-based think tank specializing in domestic and economic policy research. Sam Tecotzky CC ’22 spoke about the dynamic work of researching, analyzing, and writing about policy, and recommended think tanks for students who want to keep learning.
• Roosevelt Institute: A “think and do tank” working to restructure democratic and economic power through research and analysis. The organization hosts fireside chats as opportunities to learn more and opens applications for fellowships every fall.
• Teach for America: A non-profit organization that aims to address educational inequity by placing undergraduates and early career professionals in under-resourced schools as classroom leaders. TFA hires fellows and teachers on fairly regular cycles.
• NYC Department of Investigation: An independent law enforcement agency that serves the City’s inspector general and reports to the Mayor and City Council. Representatives highlighted their anticorruption work.
• NYC Service: The branch of the Mayor’s Office that oversees city services throughout the five boroughs, coordinates public agencies and departments, and manages public property. Employees see direct community impact from their work. 

Candidates for roles in this industry should demonstrate mission alignment and an authentic connection between their personal values and the work of the organization. While direct work experience in this area is not required for entry, leaders look for demonstrated passion for these issues, which could include previous internships, volunteering, or other extracurricular involvement. Beyond shared values, curiosity is vital, particularly in policy and research roles. Think tanks look for individuals who want to continue learning through data analysis and evaluations of systems. In international work, language proficiency, global awareness, and political acumen can be highly desired.