The Career Design Lab (CDL) is a valuable resource for SPS students. Their services provide individualized career coaching and lifetime online resources for alumni. Career coaches specialized in various disciplines teach students how to effectively position themselves in the job market. With resources ranging from data-centered information to premium online subscriptions and networking opportunities, CDL offers multiple ways to guide students in their job search. In addition, CDL works with top-tier employers, connecting students with organizations including SiriusXM, Goldman Sachs, Madison Square Garden, UNICEF, Aetna, Disney, Google, ESPN, and American Express. Here are the stories of three SPS students and alumni who found success with CDL.
They helped me find ways to better articulate my strengths and present my previous work."
Erin Lam, '22SPS, Technology Management
Technical Project Manager at Disney Streaming Services
I am currently a Technical Project Manager in Operations within the company’s Developer Platform Engineering team. I am responsible for capacity planning, onboarding, and project coordination processes. I’ve also taken on an oversight role for managing sprint reviews for the overall department.
I found this opportunity through LinkedIn and am tremendously grateful to both Nicole Arndt from the Career Design Lab and Tsvi Gal, the mentor I was assigned to from the Executive Technology Management program for supporting my job hunt and interviewing practice. Having each of them as a listening ear helped me tremendously in practicing my interview responses. They helped me find ways to better articulate my strengths and present my previous work in order to highlight my candidacy for the role.
This boosted my confidence and motivation when I applied what I’d learned to my position as Human Capital Business Partner and Services Manager."
Rima Rahayu, '20SPS, Human Capital Management
Human Capital Business Partner & Services Manager at PT Pertamina Power Indonesia
At PT Pertamina Power Indonesia, I partner with the business in the transition to new and renewable energy (solar, EV Battery, hydrogen, etc) and am responsible for executing end to end HC Cycle from hiring to retirement. HCBP and Services ensures that the business has the manpower and skills to thrive.
My experience at Columbia University and with the Career Design Lab equipped me with the right technical skills and networking abilities for my industry. This boosted my confidence and motivation when I applied what I’d learned to my position as Human Capital Business Partner and Services Manager. On top of that, I was able to build trust with people within the organization.
I met with Cathy Gibbons multiple times to review my cover letter and CV."
Xantal Tejada Herrera, '21SPS, Sustainability Management
Sustainability Specialist at Kingspan Insulated Panels North America
My role at Kingspan Group consists of managing projects in energy, carbon, circularity, water, and communities at Kingspan Insulated Panels North America in order to make progress and ultimately reach our 2030 goals.
At the Career Design Lab, I met with Cathy Gibbons multiple times to review my cover letter and CV. I also used the CDL modules and Vmock, a CV resume review program I accessed through CDL.
