SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

Career Events

Career Panels and Workshops

Throughout the academic year, the Office of Career (OCS) Services organizes numerous career panels and workshops to help current students with their job/internship search and professional development. These events usually focus on specific career paths, such as consulting, international development, investment banking, humanitarian affairs, or working at the United Nations. Career panels are conducted by SIPA alumni and/or other professionals who volunteer their time to share in-depth knowledge about their field and related professional experiences. By participating in these events, you will become more informed about your field(s) of interest and have opportunities to network with people in the industry.

 

How to Search and 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 secure a large enough room for the event. To RSVP, please follow these steps:

• Go to SIPALlink.
• Click on the Career Events menu.
• You will see a list of all current Career Events (Employer Information Sessions, Workshops, Career Panels, etc.).
• Select events in which you are interested and register to attend by clicking on the RSVP button.

 

Annual Washington DC Career Conference and NYC Career Series

Each year, OCS organizes two major events: the Washington, DC Career Conference and the New York City Career Series.

 

Washington, DC Career Conference

The Washington, DC Career Conference is an annual three-day event meant to introduce students to employment opportunities in Washington, DC through the participation of SIPA alumni and other professionals based in the area.

The 37th annual Washington, DC Career Conference will take place January 15-17, 2013. It will feature 20 career panels, employer site visits, an alumni/student networking reception, and a day for informational interviews. Registration starts November 1, 2012.

Career Panels for the upcoming Conference will be:

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

For more information, please refer to Quick Facts about the DC Conference.

NYC Career Series

The NYC Career Series serves as a forum and opportunity for students to gain direct exposure to alumni and other professionals in their respective fields of interest who are working in New York City. The NYC Career Series consists of:

• Career Panels: A series of 16-18 panels, broken down by concentration or sector, featuring SIPA alumni working in a variety of companies or organizations based in NYC. The career panels are spread out throughout the academic year, with relevant panels coinciding with recruiting seasons. Private sector panels are held in fall, when most private sector recruiting takes place (e.g., international finance, consulting, energy, corporate social responsibility).  Nonprofit and public sector panels are held in the spring semester, similarly when most of their recruiting occurs (e.g, development, foundations, human rights, NYC government)

• Networking Receptions: Each semester, an evening networking reception for SIPA alumni and students will be held at a midtown-Manhattan venue.