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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Prospective Students
Can the staff of the Office of Career Services meet with prospective students?
The staff of the Office of Career Services works with over 1,200 students and 16, 427 alumni. While we would love to work with prospective students as well, there are not enough staff members to allow us to do this. We hope that this site as well as our employment statistics will help answer many of the questions you may have. For additional questions, please contact our Admissions Office.
How do I learn the skills I need to successfully job search and interview?
OCS holds a one-credit course, mandatory for all students, that teaches the fundamentals of writing resumes and cover letters, interviewing, and negotiation skills. OCS also offers dozens of different workshops for students' professional development, such as case interviewing techniques, how to market yourself, and tips for international students. Students also find using the Career Resources section of our Web site very useful, with job search fact sheets, resume supplements for each concentration and job / internship Web sites. Individual counselors hold drop-in hours during the week for quick questions, and take appointments for longer career counseling sessions. We also conduct Mock Interviews by appointment. Please take advantage of our services once you become a student to practice your job search and interviewing skills.
What is the internship requirement for MIA and MPA students?
Students in the MIA program are required to complete at least one internship for three credits. This is a degree requirement. You must work a minimum of 120 hours in an internship position to receive the credits. Students in the MIA program also can choose to complete an additional three-credit internship of 120 hours or complete 240 hours in one internship to get a total of six credit hours. Once you have earned the maximum six credits, you may continue to participate in the Internship Program on a noncredit basis for added experience.
Students in the MPA program are required to complete one internship for three credits. You must work a minimum of 120 hours in an internship position to receive the credits. MPA students may not register for more than three internship credits. Once you have earned the maximum three credits, you may continue to participate in the Internship Program on a noncredit basis for added experience.
How do I know if my internship will count for credit?
An internship will count for academic credit if it is related to your concentration, the work is substantive (in many cases, a small percentage of the student's time may be involved in administrative tasks, depending on the organization and the nature of the position), and it is a practical, professional experience and not purely academic or research oriented.
What are my chances of being employed after graduation?
Our office conducts a definitive survey of graduates six months after graduation. Our employment rate for MIA graduates is 89% and for our MPA graduates is 94%, so you are likely to find employment after graduation! Please review our employment statistics (http://sipa.columbia.edu/resources_services/career_services/employment_statistics.html) for greater details about who employs SIPA graduates as well as average salaries per sector. OCS traditionally has relationships with over 1,800 employers over the course of the year who visit campus and post full-time positions.
When should I start thinking about full-time recruitment?
Since most of you will be at SIPA for only two years, it's important that you start thinking about recruitment during your first semester. You should enroll in the Professional Development class during the first semester so you can plan a strategy for taking advantage of the resources at Columbia University and maximizing your marketability for employers.
During the spring semester of your first year at SIPA, you are encouraged to attend a Recruitment Program Orientation Session in order to learn the procedures and to register for the program. You will also be advised regarding what steps you should take during the summer to be well prepared for the recruitment season which begins as soon as you return in the fall of your second year. Finally, if you do not have permanent work authorization in the United States but are looking for a job in the United States, you are encouraged to attend one International Students Workshop in the fall of your second year.
How do the Internship and Full-time Recruitment Programs work?
During the school year, OCS operates both the Internship and the Full-time Recruitment Programs. All job postings, internship postings, career events, on-campus information sessions and interviews, and résumé books are available through our online system called MonsterTRAK. Once you are registered at SIPA, there will be orientations for the different programs where information will be provided about the policies and procedures therein.
Which companies recruit on-campus?
The Office of Career Services is in frequent communication with employers to learn of job openings and to promote SIPA graduates. OCS markets SIPA and its students through telephone outreach, site visits, and mailings. As a result, SIPA on-campus employers have grown to encompass over 80 diverse private, nonprofit, and public sector organizations, who consider SIPA students for full-time employment during the 2004–05 academic year. In addition, over 1,800 full-time positions were advertised by employers with OCS for both MIA and MPA students this past year.
Is OCS responsible for getting me a full-time job after graduation?
OCS will work with you every step of the way to gain full-time employment after graduation. There are many services that OCS provides to help you, but the ultimate responsibility for getting a job is yours. You will need to assess your skills and interests, focus on a career goal, and make sure you are well prepared for your career choice. In addition, OCS will help you learn how to market yourself successfully to recruiters. OCS will also help you make valuable connections with employers and alumni through the SIPA Alumni and Student Network on LinkedIn, career panels, and our Recruitment Programs.
Will the SIPA degree help me make a career change?
Making a career change requires a lot of thought and preparation. First, you need to determine what you are dissatisfied with in your current career and carefully assess which skills and interests you want to use in a new career that will be more satisfying. Once you have identified your new career, you can talk with professionals in the field to help you decide if returning to school will be a useful step.
Once a student at SIPA, OCS career counselors will work closely with you to help increase your chances of making a successful transition to your chosen career field. You may also take advantage of the many opportunities at SIPA to gain career-related work experience and to network with professionals in your field of interest.
As an international student, what are my chances for employment in the United States?
It is more difficult for an international student to find employment in the United States. However, with careful planning, you can increase your chances of success. As an international student, you will probably be eligible for practical training which permits you to work for a specified period after graduation. Since most employers do not want to hire a candidate for only a limited time period, the employer will need to sponsor your H1 visa. It will be your responsibility to convey to the employer that you have specialized skills that warrant the extra effort and legal expenses required to sponsor you.
Since the job market is extremely competitive for international students, you will need to be especially well prepared and persistent in your job search. It would be advisable to work closely with OCS during your two years at SIPA to develop a strategy and to take advantage of internships and networking opportunities.
As a mid-career professional thinking of attending SIPA, can I use the Recruitment Program?
The Recruitment Program consists primarily of employers who are seeking candidates with up to five years of work experience. However, on a daily basis OCS receives many listings from recruiters looking for mid-level candidates.
If I attend SIPA directly after undergraduate school, what are my chances of employment?
Most of our recruiters prefer candidates with at least three years of work experience. However, there are many opportunities to gain valuable career-related experience while you are a student at SIPA. OCS lists over 850 part-time positions and internships. Although you are only required to complete one internship, we strongly suggest less experienced SIPA students complete several in order to improve their competitiveness for jobs.
OCS has found that relatively inexperienced candidates can be successful in securing employment. Usually they start at a lower level of responsibility and salary than more experienced candidates, but they quickly progress in their careers once they demonstrate their skills to an employer.