From: Career Advancement Center
Date: September 20, 2020
Subject: OCS News: Treat Your Job Search Like A Class (Syllabus Inside!)


Logo: Office of Career Services

Welcome to OCS News, your go-to bi-weekly career guide. Take a look around - there's a ton of resources available to assist you in your professional journey!

Dear Students,

For those of you that attended one of our recruitment orientations last week (for those that didn't -- you can find them in the "Resource Corner" section of this newsletter), you heard us recommend treating your job/internship search as a class. So, count up the hours you spend in a given week on your microeconomics course (for example). And, set aside those same number of hours each week for your "Job/Internship Search" course.

Not sure where to start? We'll outline a few suggested "homework" assignments in each edition of OCS News to keep you on track. If you ever feel stuck or confused, consider the OCS advising team as your professor! Book 45-minutes with an adviser on SIPAlink, or pop into our Virtual Office Hours for a 15-minute session.

Class, let's get started!

OCS LEARNING OBJECTIVES: WEEK OF 9/21 - 10/2

  1. Set-up saved searches in SIPAlink. Save your job/internship searches in SIPAlink's database so you are notified by email each time a new, relevant opportunity is posted. This way, you won't ever miss a deadline.
  2. Create and evaluate your SIPA formatted resume. Try SIPAlink's Resume Builder, if you haven't already put your resume into the SIPA format. Then upload a PDF version to VMock, an A.I. resume review tool. Incorporate VMock feedback to reach the Green Zone with a score of 85 or higher.
  3. Update your LinkedIn profile. Did you know that over 90% of recruiters regularly use LinkedIn? We strongly encourage all students to maintain a compelling LinkedIn profile throughout their careers. 
For those of you interested in finance and/or consulting roles, here are a few pressing action items specific to you:
  1. Join the SIPA Finance Society (SFS) and the SIPA Consulting Club (SCC). These groups organize a number of practical workshops and networking opportunities for their members.
  2. Attend the IFEP Career Series (October 1), Finance Career Boot Camp (October 2), and the IFEP Internship Panel (October 7). Dress to impress, and come prepared with questions!
  3. Purchase or borrow case interview preparation materials. We recommend "Case In Point" by Marc Cosentino, but there are many fantastic resources available on Amazon.
  4. Practice, practice, practice your case interviews! The more you practice, the less intimidating these interviews will be. In addition to SFS/SCC workshops, OCS advisers offer mock case interview appointments (book a time on SIPAlink).

Best,
Meg Heenehan, Executive Director

Virtual Office Hours

Have a quick question? Confused about CPT or the internship requirement? Need one final review of your resume or cover letter before submitting?

OCS Administrator Danny Marquez and a career adviser are available for 15-minute sessions to answer questions and address issues every weekday (Monday-Friday) from 10am-12pm EST and 1-4pm EST.

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 925 909 7394

Summer Internship Paperwork - DUE SEPTEMBER 30

Students in most two-year MIA and MPA degree programs are required to fulfill a minimum of 120 internship hours and complete the paperwork in order to meet the internship degree requirement. Exceptions (i.e. if a student was unable to complete their internship due to the impacts of COVID-19) were outlined in previous communications. Students that completed a virtual internship during Summer 2020 must register in the SIPA U9013 internship course, complete the paperwork, and have fulfilled a minimum of 120 internship hours for 0 credits or 1.5 credits (or 240 hours for 3 credits).

Complete steps one through three (1-3) outlined under the "Internship Paperwork" section on our website: https://www.sipa.columbia.edu/careers/internship-program/sipa-internship-program

Questions? Email sipainternships@sipa.columbia.edu

Upcoming Career Events

Times are EST. You may access the recordings of previous OCS events here:

Career Workshops & Webinars

Employer Information Sessions
 

Monday, September 21
Start End   Event         Host
12:00pm 1:30pm The Impact of the Energy Transition on Global Health and Economic Prosperity Center on Global Energy Policy
12:10pm 1:30pm Elections and Human Rights Series: Youth engagement and influence Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy Concentration
1:00pm 2:00pm Summer Internship Panel Technology and Innovation Student Association
Tuesday, September 22
12:00pm 1:30pm Green Recovery from COVID-19: Perspectives From Across the Globe Center on Global Energy Policy
1:00pm 2:00pm SmartMoney Office of Career Services
2:00pm 3:00pm PMF 2021 Application Informational Webinars - diversity and inclusion focus - Sept. 22, 2020 Presidential Management Fellows Program
3:00pm 4:00pm Bank of America -APAC Virtual Recruitment Event: Introduction to Global Transaction Services and Operations Bank of America
Wednesday, September 23
10:00am 11:30am Powering an Equitable, Sustainable, and Just Global Energy Transition Center on Global Energy Policy
12:00pm 1:00pm Triumvirate Environmental Triumvirate
1:00pm 2:00pm United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Office of Career Services
2:00pm 3:00pm Bank of America- APAC Virtual Recruitment Event: Introduction to Global Technology Bank of America
Thursday, September 24
1:00pm 2:00pm Synpulse Management Consulting Office of Career Services
Friday, September 25
9:45am 10:45am Burning Glass Technology Burning Glass Technologies
9:45am 10:45am Macro Advisory Partners Macro Advisory Partners

 

Next Week's Events

Tuesday, September 29
Start End   Event         Host
2:00pm 4:00pm PMF 2021 Application Informational Webinars - open forum for questions - Sept. 29, 2020 Presidential Management Fellows Program
Wednesday, September 30
1:00pm 2:00pm U.S. Department of Defense Office of Career Services
5:00pm 6:00pm APAC Virtual Recruitment Event: Welcome to Bank of America (Session 3) Bank of America
Thursday, October 1
12:15pm 1:00pm Synpulse Corporate Presentation Webinar Office of Career Services
8:00pm 9:00pm Career Series: International Finance and Economic Policy Office of Career Services
Friday, October 2
1:00pm 4:30pm Finance Career Boot Camp Office of Career Services

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.

Carbon Trust partners with businesses, governments and organizations around the world, supporting them in realizing ambitious plans for a sustainable, low carbon future. They are hiring for a number of roles across their offices, including an internship in Bejing (26694857) and full-time Analyst (26694851) and Associate (26694876) roles in London. Interested candidates can reach out to Cullen to be connected to SIPA alumni on the team. 

The NYC Mayor's Office of the Chief Technology Officer seeks applicants for a Fall 2020 Co-Labs Fellow (26692950). The Fellow will design and implement data-gathering and monitoring tools to be used during program pilots, and contribute to evaluation design to assess impact and outcomes of ongoing pilot project. Candidates interested in connecting with a SIPA alum on the team can reach out to Cullen.

OCS will welcome SIPA alum Sharadiya Dasgupta on October 7 from 1-2pm to discuss careers in sustainable investment - details will be available on SIPAlink soon.

Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF)

The application period is open from Wednesday, September 30 at noon until Wednesday, October 14 at noon. In addition to submitting a resume and transcript, you will need a letter from OCS verifying your degree and graduation date.

To obtain the Letter of Verification

EMAIL: sipa_ocs @sipa.columbia.edu 

SUBJECT: Request for PMF Verification Letter


Provide the following:

a) Applicant Name

b) Qualifying Degree (MIA or MPA)

c) Anticipated Date of Graduation


OCS will email you the PMF Verification Letter within two business days, Monday through Friday. Do not wait until the last minute. If you think you will apply, send in the request ASAP. You will upload the verification letter in addition to your unofficial transcript to prove your graduation date. In the application, the PMF office provides instructions on how to add the letter to your transcript to upload as one document.

 

In addition to the PMF Office webinars every Tuesday, OCS will schedule two upcoming information sessions. Stay tuned for details.

United Nations Young Professionals Program

The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative for talented, highly qualified professionals to start a career as an international civil servant with the United Nations Secretariat. It consists of an entrance examination and professional development programmes once successful candidates start their career with the UN.

The 2020 YPP Application Period is currently OPEN (as of September 2, 2020) and will close on October 31, 2020. More details about the program can be found at careers.un.org/ypp and a recording of an informational webinar is available online at https://youtu.be/fMIBcfuU9V0

Upcoming Deadlines

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

FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT
September 23 - Carbon Trust | Associate, Energy Systems (26694876) | Analyst (26694851)

September 23 - U.S. Department of Labor | International Relations Specialist (26694625)

September 27 - Carbon Trust | Analyst, South East Asia (26694842) | Manager/Associate, South East Asia (26694821) | Manager/Consultant, LCA Footprinting (26694819)

September 30 - Re:Coded | Career Services Manager (26691416) | People Operations Manager (26691415)

OTHER EMPLOYMENT
September 21 - World Bank Group | Young Professionals Program (26690618)

September 25 - Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons | Part-time TA/RA Position (26695730)

October 2 - NNSA Graduate Fellowship Program | NNSA Graduate Fellowship (26610082)

Attn: December 2020 International Student Graduates

An International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) advisor will discuss eligibility requirements and application procedures for F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization after your graduation. OPT is a benefit and extension of F-1 student status that allows you to work in your field of study for up to 12 months and is authorized by USCIS. Become familiar with the OPT application process before the webinar at http://bit.ly/postcompopt.

  • Monday, September 21 at 9am EST
  • Friday, October 2 at 9am EST

Event details and registration links can be found on ISSO's website at https://isso.columbia.edu/content/news-events 

Fall 2020 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 that 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 Fall 2020 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 Fall semester (October 19, 2020). 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 October 19, 2020). 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 

Free Coursera for the Month of September

Learn more here: https://www.coursera.org/for-university-and-college-students 

Free Coursera for University Students is available to current undergraduate and graduate students with a verified college or university email address. This includes full-time, part-time, community college, and university students. 

The sign up deadline has been extended! After you sign up, you have until September 30, 2020, to enroll in any of the included 3,800 courses, Guided Projects, Specializations, and Professional Certificates. For any course you enroll in on or before September 30, 2020, you will continue to have free access for at least two months from the date of enrollment to complete them. After your free access concludes, you have three options for continuing your coursework: 1) pay to enroll, 2) apply for financial aid, or 3) audit the course for free.

This offering is available to students around the world. Coursera values their global community immensely and they deeply regret the need to withhold services from anyone in certain sanctioned regions in order to remain in compliance with U.S. law. The Coursera team is continually exploring options to expand access and they hope one day to offer unrestricted access throughout the world. For more information, please go here.

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)

Quick Links

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Big Interview - virtual/video interview practice
Fact Sheets - career development, overviews, and sector-specific
Resume and Cover Letter Templates
Skill Development - including data science, public speaking, etc.
VMock - artificial intelligence resume review tool

JOB/INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Columbia Global Centers - virtual internships
On-Campus Work - federal work-study and casual jobs
Online Subscriptions and Databases - including Devex, GoinGlobal, and Vault
"Look Who's Hiring" - interactive job posting report from GradLeaders

CONNECTING WITH ALUMNI
Alumni Directory
SIPA Alumni and Student Network on LinkedIn

ADMINISTRATIVE
International Student Work Authorization
Internship Requirement
OCS Forms - including waivers, CPT, etc.
Summer Internship Funding