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Applications for 2024 Columbia Summer Session programs are now open!

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New Part-Time Hybrid M.S. Available

The part-time Master’s degree in Strategic Communication has moved to a primarily-online format for working professionals based in or outside of the New York City area.
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Career Design Lab Success Stories: Students Land Positions at Fidelity Investments, Johnson & Johnson, and the United Nations

The School of Professional Studies Career Design Lab (CDL) offers students and alumni the tools they need to utilize their skills and navigate the job market, including individualized career coaching, connections to top-tier employers, and exclusive resources such as interview and résumé workshops. Here, students and alumni tell their success stories—and share how CDL contributed in helping them land positions with Fidelity Investments, Johnson & Johnson, and the United Nations.

Surrounding myself with people who work to support my growth and maintaining those great relationships really helped."

Bisan Ahlmood, ’20SPS, Applied Analytics 
Data scientist at Fidelity Investments 

At Fidelity Investments, I work with a team of data scientists, analysts, engineers, and strategists to proactively deliver data-driven intelligence. These insights steer the sales and marketing processes into an evergreen, efficient, and profitable state.

I applied for this role through LinkedIn. When I started, I made connections and showcased my skills in analytics and my passion for data science. This enabled me to grow and then transfer teams within Fidelity. 

CDL was an excellent resource for one-on-one consultations and guidance throughout the job search process. Surrounding myself with people who work to support my growth and maintaining those great relationships really helped. 

CDL supported me by improving my résumé, tailoring my job search, and preparing me for interviews."

Janine Acheson, ’23SPS, Bioethics
Clinical Operations at Johnson & Johnson

In my new role at Johnson & Johnson, I support the development of global projects related to human subject research and assist in maintaining cross-sector partnerships, project management, and critical assessment of data and technical processes. I collaborate with a global team to support innovation and research development at Johnson & Johnson. 

In my job search, I kept up-to-date with job opportunities in companies and roles I was interested in. CDL supported me by improving my résumé, tailoring my job search, and preparing me for interviews. CDL guided me through the process, and with their help, I developed resources to further my career. 

As an international student, I wanted to better understand the job search process in the United States.”

Anindita Saraswati Dwiwinata, ’22SPS, Strategic Communication
Social media intern at the United Nations

This summer I am working as a social media intern at the United Nations. The department is responsible for maintaining social media activity and integrating content across the UN’s online presence. As a social media intern, I am responsible for gathering data and ideas to craft social media content. I monitor social media trends, analyze sentiments regarding the UN, and assist with special projects.

In the fall semester, I arranged my first meeting with Barbara McGloin, associate director of career development and lecturer in the Strategic Communication program. As an international student, I wanted to better understand the job search process in the United States. Professor McGloin was very helpful in structuring my résumé. She gave me detailed feedback and helped me tailor it for the kind of roles I was looking for. I applied in January, got an offer in March, and secured the internship in May.