Live and Learn in New York City

Studying at Columbia University means being at the center of a global city with unparalleled access to professional networking and cultural resources. This proximity enables students to tap into organizations exclusively based in New York City and those that are part of multinational organizations such as the United Nations, headquartered in the city, and the International Monetary Fund, which has offices here. 

As home to one of the largest stock exchanges in the world, New York City is a financial capital housing JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and American Express, among many others. Media and technology companies also claim the city as their hub. When not looking to connect with other professionals, the city provides students a cultural feast of options, from the Metropolitan Opera to the Museum of Modern Art. 

Professional Networking

To support students in their graduate journey, Student Affairs provides a wealth of resources to help align them with their peers and passions. Located in the heart of midtown, the Career Design Lab connects students to internship opportunities and helps SPS graduates find employment in their desired industries. Through various programs, CDL coaches students with resume development, interview techniques, and networking. A recent event connected students with analysts from Citibank to learn what a day on the job is actually like, or learn more about corporate banking with actual JPMorgan Chase professionals. 

Technology companies, from Google to Apple, also have offices that students can access. Scarlett Yiqiong Liu, an Applied Analytics M.S. graduate, interned at Apple before landing a full-time position as a data analyst. She credits the Career Design Lab with facilitating meetings with industry partners, helping her hone her job search skills, and improving her interviewing skills. “I learned a lot from the recruiters, including those from Accenture, Twitter, and Google,” she said. “Those sessions are very valuable because I learned more about the roles they’re looking to fill and their responsibilities, which helps me identify the skills I need to improve.” 

Many not-for-profit institutions in the city also offer professional networking options. The annual United National General Assembly meeting enables Columbia to host the World Leaders Forum featuring Prime Ministers, Presidents, and Ministers from across the globe for special events. Most recently, Matt Damon and Gary White, co founders of Water.org and WaterEquity, joined President Minouche Shafik at a Columbia University World Leaders Forum event, “Social Innovation: Sourcing Capital for Global Challenges.” Co-sponsored by the School of Professional Studies’ M.S. in Nonprofit Management program and other schools, it provided students with a unique insight into how not-for-profit organizations are helping to bridge the support gap. It was a unique opportunity for students. “There’s no other institution on the planet that can serve as a convening force like Columbia in New York City, and this event is an example of bringing people together to talk about ideas that will change the world,” said Troy Eggers, dean of Columbia University School of Professional Studies (SPS).

A City of Culture

In New York City, learning goes beyond career building to experiencing art and culture. SPS Student Life regularly organizes events to energize and engage students in the city’s unique cultural offerings. Love community service? You can find work in the school’s Morningside Heights neighborhood. Plus, student clubs and organizations are good ways to get involved, network, and make new friends while engaging in causes and passions that drive you. 

New York City is a global arts center, and The Columbia University Arts Initiative offers something for virtually anyone seeking to enrich their education or expand their cultural knowledge through the performing and visual arts. Students can sign up for the Arts Initiative list, which sends weekly events and free, last-minute tickets to world-class performance venues such as the New York Philharmonic and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Columbia students also have free access to institutions showcasing African, Asian, Latin, and Caribbean arts and culture. See the full list of participating museums. 

Getting Around

If there is something you want to see or be a part of, New York has it and will help you get around. In addition to the MTA and CitiBike, Columbia provides free shuttle routes plus an on-demand transportation service as an alternative to walking alone at night. The Columbia Transportation website also offers a list of resources, including carpool matching, bike registration, and travel discounts.