SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

Frequently Asked Questions for Alumni

SIPA Alumni and Student Network on LinkedIn

Why use LinkedIn?

• To obtain valuable career information and feedback from SIPA alumni.
• To enhance your current knowledge of a field or sector.
• To gain exposure to new career paths.
• To develop your professional network.
• To discuss other working world-related issues.

Who are the LinkedIn mentors?

•  SIPA graduates working in a wide variety of fields.
• Alumni who hold positions ranging from entry level to executive.

 How to begin your search?

•  Begin with researching careers, jobs titles or companies that interest you.
• Narrow your search to alumni whom you would like to contact.
• Research the specific organization the alumnus/a is working with, and learn more about the type of position he/she holds.
• If you are looking for a specific person or organization, enter his/her last name or the name of the organization in the appropriate section. Type in multiple versions of the organization name, for example the UN may also be written as the United Nations.

 How to Contact Alumni and Conduct Informational Interviews?

• The purpose of networking phone calls or meetings is not to ask for a job, but to ask for career and job hunting advice and contacts.
• You should always have your resume ready to send before you contact anyone about your job search. Do not send your resume unless you are asked.
• Do not ask an alumnus/a to forward your resume to someone else without first establishing a relationship with him/her.
• You should be well prepared for your informational interview. Since you will be taking the lead, decide what kind of information you would like to gather and prepare questions in advance.
• Dress professionally and be on time.
• Be honest about your background and skills. Promise only what you can deliver.
• Always follow up a networking meeting or interview with a thank you letter within two days of the interview.
• When you receive a job offer, send a note of thanks to your networking contacts for their help in the process. Even if they might not have provided you with that specific job, their advice helped you become a successful interviewer.

Alumni who would like additional information and/or help with navigating the system, please email sipaalum@columbia.edu.

How do I view current job postings?

Job postings for SIPA alumni are located on the OCS online jobs database. If you wish to access it you will need to register with SIPAlink: If you have already registered, visit the site.

How do I post an internship or job announcement?

Please review employer instructions for posting positions.