Career Development Fact Sheets
Get tips for international students and on connecting with alumni, interviewing, networking, PMF information, writing resumes and cover letters and other career development topics.
Top 15 Websites for SIPA Students
Alumni Resources (For Alumni and Students)
- Alumni Career Resources (from the Office of Alumni and Development)
- Connecting with SIPA Alumni
- Services for Alumni
General Job and Internship Search
- LGBTQIA+ Career Resource Guide
- Career Changers
- Career Fair Essentials
- Cover Letters - How to Write Effective Cover Letters
- Cover Letter Tips
- Curriculum Vitae Tips
- Doctoral Degree Application Process
- Evaluating Job Offers
- Interview Types
- Interviews: Behavioral
- Interviews: Body Language Do's and Don'ts
- Interviews: Case Interviewing Tips
- Interviews: Financial Modeling
- Interviews: Illegal Questions
- Interviews: Informational
- Interviews: Preparation Guidelines
- Interviews: Questions to Ask and Answer
- Job Search Resources for Internationally-Based Organizations
- Job Search Websites
- Market Your Degree
- Minority and Diversity Headhunter Firms
- Negotiating Job Offers
- Negotiating Offers for Unpaid Internships
- Networking
- Professional and Ethical Conduct
- Professional Organizations
- References and Letters of Recommendation
- Salary and Cost of Living Websites
- Security Clearance Tips
- Temporary Employment Services
- Thank You Emails
- The Pitch
- Two-Year Job Search Timeline
CAC Outreach and Services
- Collaboration Between Student Organizations and CAC
- Insurance for International Travel
- Services for EMPA Students
- Services for Students
- Work-Study Program
Senior-Level Resources
International Students
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) in F-1 Status
- Employers Sponsoring H-1B Work Visas
- English Language Programs in NYC for International Students
- How to Hire International Students
- Job Search for International Students
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) in F-1 Status After Completion of Degree Requirements
- Paid Opportunities for International Students in F-1 Status
- Useful Websites for International Students
- Work Authorization for Paid Internships for J-1 Students
Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF)
*2023 Application opens: At 12 p.m. Noon Eastern Time on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, and Closes at 12 p.m. Noon Eastern Time on Tuesday, September 27, 2022*
- PMF Website - Application Process
- PMF Website - Application Tips
- PMF Website - Assessment Process
- PMF Website - Resources, including the Assessment Preparation Guide, timeline, etc.
Transcripts/Verification Letter
In order to verify your degree and expected date of graduation for the PMF application, you must submit both your Unofficial Transcript AND a letter from CAC. You should submit your transcript under the document type/label "Transcript" and follow instructions to add the letter from CAC to your Academic Profile under the document type/label "Other." Below are the step-by-step instructions for acquiring your Transcript and CAC letter.
1. Access https://ssol.columbia.edu and log in with Columbia UNI and the password
2. Select "Transcript Ordering" under "Academic Records"
- Select "Order Transcript"
- Select "eTranscript" and complete order. The transcript delivery will not cost anything.
- A link to a secure electronic Transcript will arrive in an email from "Columbia University in the City of New York: Parchment Delivery Service"
- When you receive the email, click on the link to access the secure document (i.e., your transcript) and request a Transcript Access Code. You cannot access the document without the Access Code
- The Access Code will arrive in your email. Enter the code into the secure document link
- Select "Download" to access the PDF version of transcript
- Save document as "First name_Last name_Transcript" (e.g., Jane_Doe_Transcript)
3. EMAIL: [email protected] with SUBJECT - Request for PMF Verification Letter. Provide the following:
a) Applicant Name
b) Qualifying Degree (MIA or MPA)
c) Anticipated Date of Graduation
CAC will email you the PMF Verification Letter within 24 hours during business hours.
Do not wait until the last minute. If you think you will apply, send in the request ASAP. You will submit this in addition to your transcript to prove your graduation date. The application tips provide instructions on how to add this letter to your transcript to upload as one document.