SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

Career Events

Career Panels and Workshops

Throughout the academic year, the Office of Career Services organizes numerous career panels and workshops to help current students in their job searches. These events usually focus on specific career paths, such as consulting, international development, working at the United Nations, investment banking, conflict resolution, and international regional areas. Career panels and workshops are conducted by SIPA alumni and/or other professionals who volunteer their time to share in-depth knowledge of their career fields. By participating in these events, you will become more informed about your fields of interest.

How to RSVP for career-related events?

If you would like to participate in any OCS-related events, you must RSVP on SIPAlink.  We ask that you RSVP at least one week prior to the event, so that we may confirm with our speakers and secure a large enough room for the event. To RSVP, please follow these steps:

1. Go to SIPALlink.
2. Click on the Career Events menu.
3. You will see a list of all current Career Events (Employer Information Session, Workshops, Panels, etc.).
4. Scroll through events that you are interested in attending and sign up.

Annual Washington DC Career Conference and NYC Career Series

Each year, the Office of Career Services (OCS) sponsors two major events consisting of career panels, receptions for alumni and students, employer site visits, and informational interviews with professionals in Washington, DC and New York City (NYC). These events provide an excellent means to explore career opportunities and to network with alumni and employers in the DC and NYC areas. Both events are also sponsored by the Office of Alumni Affairs.

I. Washington, DC Career Conference

The annual Washington, DC Career Conference is meant to introduce SIPA students to Washington, DC and inform them of employment opportunities in the area through the participation of SIPA alumni and other professionals based in DC. The 36th annual Conference will be held Wednesday January 11, 2012 through Friday January 13, 2012.  The event includes career panels, employer site visits, an alumni/student networking reception, and a day for informational interviews.

Panel Topics for the 2012 Conference Include:

• Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
• Corporate Social Responsibility, Philanthropy and Foundations
• Development Consulting
• Economic Development and Microfinance
• Education Policy
• Energy Policy
• Environment and Sustainable Development
• Federal Government/Capitol Hill
• Foreign and Civil Service
• Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs
• International Media and Communications
• International Security Policy
• International Trade and Finance
• Multilateral Organizations
• Political Risk Analysis
• Public Sector Consulting
• Urban and Social Planning and Policy

Registration begins Tuesday November 1, 2011 on Sundial.  To register, please click here.  Please note that students register for this event on Sundial rather than in SIPAlink. For more detailed information about the conference, including logistical information and a list of organizations and alumni represented in prior years, please download the Conference Registration Packet here.

Registration will close on December 12, 2011 at midnight.   Space is limited and registration may close early if all spaces are taken. Please note that in past years the Conference has sold out prior to the registration deadline.

II. SIPA NYC Career Series 

Interested in connecting with SIPA alumni in your field(s) of interest? Ready to learn more about your career options and to expand your professional network? Join us and volunteer for the NYC Career Series!

Organized by the Office of Career Services (OCS), the SIPA NYC Career Series consists of:

1. A series of panels of SIPA alumni – broken down by field

2. A week of informational interviews with SIPA alumni

3. A reception for SIPA alumni and students

The Series will be held throughout the entire year, with relevant panels coinciding with recruiting seasons. Private sector panels will be held in Fall 2011 – when most private sector recruiting takes place – while non-profit and public sector panels will meet in the Spring 2012 – similarly, when most of their recruiting occurs.

The Series serves as a forum and opportunity for students to gain direct exposure to alumni in their respective fields of interest. There will be eight career panels throughout the Fall semester and eight career panels throughout the Spring semester. Each panel will be led by a volunteer student Panel Coordinator.