As a first-year student, there are many ways to build experience through internships, research, volunteering, student club activities, and on-campus jobs. Here are a handful of opportunities to get started.
On and Off-Campus Internships & Work Experiences
Internships and work experiences offer great opportunities to explore different industries and work environments, as well as build valuable skills.
| Center for Career Education Internship Programs |
CCE Internship Programs: - Career Exploration Summits - CCE Alumni Mentorship Program (CAMP) - Navab Fellowship Program - Internships+ |
| On-Campus Employment |
There are two types of on-campus employment both with different eligibility requirements: federal work-study jobs and casual jobs. |
| Jumpstarting Aspiring Developers and Entrepreneurs (JADE) | Week-long immersion program in the startup ecosystem of NYC. Open to first years in CC and SEAS; $100 program fee |
| Pre-Professional Advising Listserv |
Pre-law and pre-health listservs promote opportunities on and off campus: CC/SEAS Pre-Professional Advising and GS Pre-Professional Advising. |
| Congressional and White House Internship Program Advising | Provides assistance to undergraduates interested in spending the summer interning in either the local or Washington, DC office of a United States Congressperson. |
Volunteer and Social Impact Experience
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community, as well as brush up on your leadership and teamwork skills while exploring areas or causes of interest to you.
| Community Impact | Volunteer to serve the local community through a variety of programs |
| Double Discovery Center | Volunteer and paid teaching assistant positions. Serves over 1,000 low-income and first generation college-bound youth |
Academic and Field Research Experience
Getting research experience during your time as an undergraduate can aid in your pursuit for graduate school or certain career opportunities. There are many opportunities available to conduct research alongside faculty at Columbia or other universities and research institutes.
| Research with Arts & Sciences Faculty | Arts & Sciences faculty of all disciplines are keen to include undergraduates in their research. Learn how to get involved. |
| Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship | The Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University offers on-campus research opportunities for the summer term |
| Research with Engineering Faculty | Engineering faculty members actively encourage student involvement in research as an integral part of the educational process |
| Summer@SEAS: Summer Research Program | Students will be able to identify research opportunities (supported by the Dean’s Office or NSF-REUs) in SEAS for the summer through this link. Research opportunities outside of Columbia will also be posted |
Student Activities and Leadership Experience
Getting involved with student organizations offers the chance to meet likeminded students, explore your interests, and gain leadership skills.
| Student Clubs and Organizations | Join one of Columbia’s 500+ student groups, many of which offer ways to explore career paths, offer employer connections and events.
Examples of student organizations include: Engineers Without Borders, Student Council, Columbia Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs, Women’s Business Society, Columbia Spectator, and many more! |
Funding Opportunities to Gain Experience
There are numerous programs on campus that provide funding to selected students to participate in summer experiences related to their career or academic studies.
| CCE Administered Internship Funding Programs |
- Columbia College Summer Funding Program: Eligibility: CC students receiving grant-based financial aid - Columbia Engineering Internship Fund: Eligibility: SEAS students receiving grant-based financial aid - Work Exemption Program: Eligibility: CC and SEAS students receiving grant-based financial aid |
| Congressional Internship Stipend Program | Provides assistance to undergraduates interested in spending the summer interning in either the local or Washington, DC office of a United States Congressperson |
