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Cullen's Corner: An Update from Employer Outreach

Cullen Newton is the Director of Employer Outreach at OCS. Here, he shares with us the latest job/internship opportunities and his outreach schedule. Let him know if there is an employer you would like to see featured in SIPAlink by emailing him directly at cn2466@sipa.columbia.edu. 

Search job/internship postings on SIPAlink using the Job ID indicated in parenthesis.

SEEK, a strategic and organizational consulting group dedicated to global human development and social impact, welcomes SIPA applicants for a Consultant/Associate Consultant (26920077) role based in Berlin. The ideal candidate has experience in consulting and evidence-based, data-driven analysis ideally in the field of international development, policy analysis, and advocacy. A SIPA alum is on the team and available to connect with interested candidates. 

Prescient, a global risk management and intelligence services firm, is hiring for a number of roles across their offices, including Associate and Senior Associate, Cyber Practice, and Senior Associate, Investigations and Due Diligence. A SIPA alum is on the team and available to connect with interested candidates. 

HIAS, a global Jewish nonprofit organization working across five continents to ensure that refugees and displaced persons are protected, is hiring for numerous openings, including a Regional Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Officer (26917749) to provide technical guidance and support to develop and improve systems to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness, strategic alignment, cost, and overall impact of HIAS’ refugee assistance programs in the Latin America and Caribbean Region. A SIPA alum is on the team and available to connect with interested candidates.

The Kearney Women’s Scholarship (26918875) is open to female citizens or permanent residents of an Eastern European country. The recipient will be provided with up to €10,000 to be used to support either their next year of study or other education-related activities, mentorship from a senior female consultant, a 10-week internship in one of Kearney's EE offices, and access to all in-house training. A SIPA alum and recent recipient is available to connect with any interested applicants. 

Karbone, a carbon credit brokerage and consulting startup, seeks SIPA applicants for a number of roles, including a Sustainability Sales Manager (26920619) and a Research Analyst (26920618). Candidates can reach out to Cullen to have their applications highlighted. 
 

John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellows Program

The John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellows Program is a one year civilian fellowship program for U.S. citizens designed to provide leadership development for the commencement of a career track toward senior leadership in the Department of Defense.  Applications are now being accepted. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2021.  See complete application requirements and instructions at SIPAlink Job ID: 26916853.

Contact whs.mccainfellows@mail.mil if you have any questions or need assistance.
 

OECD Summer Internship Programme 2021

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Summer 2021 Internship Programme applications are now being accepted. The deadline to apply is February 21, 2021 at 11:59pm EST.

Applicants must first apply to be nominated by SIPA through submitting a complete and timely application (including a recommendation) per the instructions found at SIPAlink Job ID: 26916195. As a university partner with the OECD, SIPA can nominate 15 first-year / returning SIPA students for the summer internship program.

For more information about the internship programme and interview timeline, visit: www.oecd.org/careers/internship-programme/.

Upcoming Deadlines

Search job/internship postings on SIPAlink using the Job ID indicated below.

INTERNSHIPS
February 7 - United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA/DPO) | Political Affairs Intern (26916830)

February 12 - Kearney | Women's Scholarship and Internship Program 2021 (26918875)

February 15 - Barings | Emerging Markets Intern - ESG for Sovereigns (26917854) | Emerging Markets Intern. - Medium Term Impact of COVID 19 (26917853)

February 21 - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) | Summer 2021 Internship Programme (26916195)

FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT
February 8 - Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) | Deputy Director (26913187)

February 14 - Con Edison | Project Manager, Energy Markets Policy Group (26916921)

February 15 - SEEK Development | (Associate) Consultant (26920077)

February 15 - Strategy& | Senior Economist (26917772)

OTHER EMPLOYMENT
February 7 - Harvard Kennedy School of Government Performance Lab | Fellowship (26911999)

February 15 - Washington Headquarters Services | John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellows Program (26916853)

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Virtual Careers Panel

Have you ever considered a career focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging? During this virtual session, students will hear advice from private and public sector professionals about the various career pathways within this field, the roles, and responsibilities of their positions, what opportunities students should pursue academically and professionally to increase their exposure to work in this field, and gain insight into the challenges and rewards of careers within this area. 

Featured Panelists:

Samuel Caldwell | University at Albany, Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Sujata Chaudry | Tangible Development, LLC 

Nkiruka Ogbuchiekwe | Deloitte Consulting, LLC

Nancy Rivera-Hernandez | NYS Office of the State Comptroller

Wednesday, February 10 | 12-1pm ET | Register here.
 

Virtual Workshop: Twitter as a Networking Tool for International Affairs

Regardless if you are new to professional Twitter or if you are an experienced Twitterati - join the IO/UN Specialization for an interactive workshop on how to use the social media site as a networking tool for international affairs. The 'Twittersphere' is an important platform for those working on international development, multilateralism and international affairs more broadly. Providing hands-on examples and practical advice about how to engage experts at the UN, development agencies, think-tanks and other institutions meaningfully, the workshop seeks to support SIPA students and recent alumni to benefit from the networking opportunities that social media provide and provide simple strategies for using the platform.

Thursday, February 18 | 1-2:15pm ET | Register here.

Summer 2021 Work Authorization

Beginning with the cohort matriculating for the first time in Fall 2020, SIPA will require students in the four-semester MIA and MPA programs (excluding the MPA-DP students who should defer to the requirements of their program) to fulfill their internship requirement during the first Summer following two semesters of full-time enrollment. Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the following conditions apply in AY2021:

• International students enrolled in the Hybrid program in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 will be eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during Summer 2021.

• International students enrolled in the Online Only program in Fall 2020, and in the Hybrid program in Spring 2021 will be eligible for CPT during Summer 2021. SIPA Advising Deans will advise students who begin Spring semester Online about how late in the semester they will be allowed to join the Hybrid program. This is subject to approval of the relevant faculty member and communication with the International Students and Scholars Office; exact dates depend on which Hybrid courses the students are taking, but in no cases would students be allowed to enter the Hybrid program later than April 1.

• Students who first matriculate in the four-semester MIA or MPA program in Spring semester will be eligible for CPT in the first Summer after completing two semesters (for example students matriculating for the first time in January 2021 will be eligible for CPT in Summer 2022).
   

Spring 2021 F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) Requirements

The following information is pertinent only to continuing F-1 international students (matriculated prior to Fall 2020). F-1 international students who matriculated in Fall 2020 are reminded that they will be eligible for CPT in Summer 2021, at the earliest, if they enroll in either the (1) hybrid program for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021; or (2) the online program for Fall 2020 and hybrid program for Spring 2021. More information can be found on our website, here: https://www.sipa.columbia.edu/careers/internship-program/international-student-work-authorization under the "COVID-19 Update."

Continuing F-1 international students interested in conducting an internship in the United States during Spring 2021 and meet all eligibility requirements must apply for CPT upon receiving an offer letter from the employer. Students must begin their internship by the Monday of the seventh week of the Spring semester (February 22, 2021) and complete the 120 hour minimum by the CPT end date of April 30, 2021. You CANNOT begin work until your CPT form has been approved by both OCS and ISSO. Therefore, the start date listed on your CPT form must be post-dated (meaning, dated in the future but not beyond February 22, 2021). You should allow at least 10 business days for ISSO processing. CPT approval cannot be granted retroactively.

NOTE: If this is your second or third CPT, please be aware that your CPT request will not be approved until you have received a grade in SSOL for your prior internship(s). Internship reports and supervisor surveys must be completed to receive a grade for outstanding internships. Processing CPT can take up to 10 business days and any unsatisfied requirements can delay your new CPT request. Follow the steps under "Internship Paperwork" to become eligible for a subsequent CPT: https://www.sipa.columbia.edu/careers/internship-program/sipa-internship-program 
 

Events for You

Tax Workshop for International Students and Scholars
Sprintax is the tax preparation software provided by the ISSO for international students and scholars in F or J status, Sprintax is hosting this webinar to provide a general overview of the U.S. tax-filing process for nonresidents. 

This informational webinar will cover:

• An overview of tax for nonresident students and scholars
• Who must file a 2020 US tax return
• What income forms students/scholars may receive
• Forms that need to be completed and sent to the IRS
• Terms like FICA, ITIN and Form 1098-T
• What happens if students/scholars don’t file, or misfile
• State tax returns
• IRS stimulus payments
• Sprintax overview

Note that Sprintax uses GoToWebinar and not Zoom so be prepared in advance to log in. This is an ISSO sponsored event.
Thursday, February 11 | 10-11am | Register here. 
Wednesday, March 3 | 7-8pm | Register here.
Friday, April 2 | 9-10am | Register here. 

Resource Spotlight: What I Wish I Knew

Recruitment Orientations

The Office of Career Services (OCS) would like to make sure that you are well prepared for the internship and job search. For this reason, we conducted a Recruitment Orientation for each concentration. During this orientation, students learned about all of the resources available for searching for jobs and internships, and how students can specifically improve their search for their particular academic tracks and interests. Recordings of these orientations are available, below:

Economic and Political Development (EPD)
Energy and Environment (EE)
Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy (HRHP)
International Finance and Economic Policy (IFEP)
International Security Policy (ISP)
MPA in Development Practice (DP)
Urban and Social Policy (USP)