Home > Resources and Services > Career Services > Current Students > Resources and Services
- Alumni and Student Network
- Career Advising and Coaching
- Career Events
- Career Resources
- Career Services Forms
- Employment Statistics
- Find a Job Using SIPALink
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Full-time Recruitment
- Internships
- OCS Career News
- OCS Staff Directory
Career Services and Resources
Services
Career Events
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. In addition, OCS sponsors two major annual events: the Washington, DC Career Conference and the New York City Career Series. 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. For more information about career events, please click here.
Individual Career Advising Sessions
OCS career advisers provide students with career advice, job search strategy help, resume and cover letter reviews, and general career information. OCS career advisers also conduct MBTI assessments and mock interviews for students as well as encourage professional communication and personality skills. Each student has the benefit of three individual advising sessions per semester scheduled by appointment. Appointments are scheduled on SIPAlink. To make an appointment with an OCS career adviser, please click here.
SIPA Career Coaching (SIPACC) Program
SIPACC coaches are alumni who are experts in their field and can offer industry-specific knowledge to students who are contemplating various career choices or seeking targeted and specific information to help with their career-decision making. Each student has the benefit of three SIPACC sessions per semester scheduled by appointment. Appointments are scheduled on SIPAlink. To make an appointment with a SIPA career coach, please click here.
Professional Development Course
This mandatory, conference-style course teaches students the skills needed to compete effectively in the international and public affairs job markets. Topics such as resumes, cover letters, job search tactics, successful interviewing, networking, and salary negotiation are covered in the course via lectures and interactive exercises. For more information about the course, please click here.
OCS Career Resource Room and Website
The OCS Career Resource Room (located in Room 420) and the OCS website offer a wealth of resources, including:
- Factsheets on topics such as cover letter and resume writing, interview preparation, and evaluating job offers. To view our factsheets, please click here.
- Career Overviews in a variety of fields can be found here.
- Formats for résumé and cover letters that are downloadable can be found here.
- Books, resource guides, and periodicals relevant to the internship and job search in international and public affairs. More than 120 hard copy publications are available at the OCS office.
- SIPA students’ internship reports, describing how they secured internships and their experiences in those internships. Reports are available through the online internship database in SIPAlink.
- The OCS webinar program focuses on topics specifically geared toward our alumni audience. However, we encourage SIPA students to view past webinars, by clicking here.
OCS Career News
OCS compiles a weekly newsletter that lists information on upcoming career events, fellowship opportunities, upcoming recruitment, job/internship postings, and other essential information for their job search. To read the latest edition of the newsletter, or to view the archives, please click here.
SIPA Alumni and Student Network on LinkedIn
OCS encourages students to identify and network with alumni through SIPA’s official LinkedIn group, the SIPA Alumni and Student Network. With more than 4,000 members, the SIPA Alumni and Student Network on LinkedIn contains graduates from diverse career fields and is an excellent source for networking and obtaining informational interview contacts. Only SIPA alumni and students are allowed to join this network, and all applicants are authenticated through SIPA. To join the group, create a LinkedIn profile and search for the group name in the Groups search box. Please visit: www.linkedin.com.
Online Subscriptions and Free Database Memberships
OCS pays for a number of online subscriptions to various publications that connect students with additional job listings in various fields (e.g., international development, security policy, human rights, public health). The latest publication information and current subscription passwords are published in our weekly newsletter.
- Devex Development Jobs Database
OCS has partnered with Devex (The Development Executive Group) to provide Free membership to the Devex online jobs database for all SIPA students and recent graduates. To register: http://www.devex.com/welcome/sipa.
- Going Global (UNI authentication required)
Packed with country-specific career information, this research tool provides expert advice and insider tips for finding employment opportunities at home and abroad. Explore career and employment opportunities in countries around the world. Listings are updated daily. Resources include: business and networking groups, job search resources, cost of living data and more. H-1B employer listings are included in each City Guide, as well as a state-by-state roster. Access more than 400,000+ country-specific company profiles.
- Ivy Exec Jobs Database
We have teamed up with IvyExec.com, an exclusive job site for high caliber professionals with graduate degrees from top universities. Ivy Exec has agreed to provide all SIPA students and alumni the opportunity to join Ivy Exec as ‘All Access’ members for free for 3 full months (please note you will need to provide your credit card information, although you will not be billed if you discontinue use after the 3-month period). To register: http://www.ivyexec.com/professionals/register/?ref=ColumbiaSIPA
- Uniworld offers two unique directories to unravel the maze of "who operates where" and “who owns whom” regardless of whether you’re sourcing, building your business, selling, tracking competitors, or seeking employment with a multinational firm. With Uniworld Online, you’ll find contact information for headquarters, branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates of the multinational firm.
- Vault Online Career Library (UNI authentication required)
Vault is the world’s leading source of career information. It will make your efforts at researching employers, industries, and career subjects infinitely easier and more efficient.
- Wet Feet Library
Since 1994, WetFeet has been a trusted third party for job seekers, helping students, MBAs, and young professionals make smarter career decisions. The Wetfeet Career Resource Site gives you access to our complete Insider Guide library and the inside scoop on more than 1,000 companies, careers, and industries, along with videos and tips to help find and score your ideal job.