The Navab Fellowship Program is made possible by the generosity of the Navab Family. The program enables Columbia College students to explore potential career paths, gain essential professional skills, and expand personal networks in preparation for life after graduation.

Through the gracious commitment of Columbia College alumni, full-time Columbia College students will have the opportunity to apply to and secure exciting summer internships, in a variety of industries. Internships are predominantly based in New York, with some opportunities in other major cities in the United States and across the globe.  

This gift will also provide students undertaking low-paid or unpaid internships access to financial support and will allow students on Columbia Financial Aid to have their summer earnings expectation waived. These will be determined on a pro-rated basis for part-time positions.

The program also provides you with professional development training from career counselors and connections and mentorships with Columbia College alumni through the Odyssey Mentoring Platform.

Program Features

The Navab Fellowship Program combines an internship experience sponsored by or sourced by a Columbia College alumnus, additional alumni connections and mentorship, professional career development programming, and support from a CCE career counselor.

Program features include:

  • Summer internship sourced through the Columbia College alumni network
  • Fellowship awards for students in opportunities that are unpaid or below NYC minimum wage, to support with costs associated with internship (i.e. travel and living expenses). All participants who are Columbia Grant-eligible will receive an exemption from their summer work expectation (Student Contribution). WEP grants are applied towards the Fall and/or Spring Student Account balance. These will be determined on a pro-rated basis depending on the internship length.
  • Pre-program intern training that includes program overview and professional skills workshops for student interns
  • Mid-summer check-in with a career counselor to discuss and enhance the internship experience
  • Weekly emails with internship tips and reflective questions to support professional development and maximum productivity at work
  • Alumni connections and mentorship for professional guidance and support during the summer through the Odyssey Mentoring Platform
  • End-of-program reflection session and project to unpack and reflect on the internship experience using the framework of My Columbia College Journey, and to provide the opportunity to share with and learn from peers

Program Benefits

Through the Navab Fellowship Program, you will:

  • Build connections with Columbia alumni through access to high-quality internships, sourced by alumni
  • Develop your ability to effectively articulate key transferable skills gained from the internship
  • Gain experience and confidence in navigating workplace scenarios and professional relationships
  • Deepen your knowledge of setting personal learning goals and reflecting on career interests and aspirations
  • Gain a rich understanding of an industry in New York City or another major domestic or international city while connecting with Columbia College alumni

Eligibility

You must be:

  • Enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student of Columbia College in the spring semester before the summer internship
  • A first-year, sophomore, or junior. Some positions are open only to certain class years based on employer specifications. This will be noted in the job description in LionSHARE.
  • In good academic and disciplinary standing
  • For domestic opportunities, international students need to secure US Work Authorization. This means that a student must apply for Pre-Completion OPT(Optional Practical Training) or F-1 CPT (Curricular Practical Training), as these are off-campus internship experiences. Visit the Columbia International Students & Scholars Office and speak with your Academic Adviser to learn more. Not all employers accept temporary work authorization in the form of OPT or CPT. 

** By submitting an application, you authorize the Center for Career Education to conduct academic and disciplinary checks to confirm program eligibility. Certain University policy violations may disqualify you from consideration for the Navab Fellowship Program.

Application Process & Timeline

Internships offered through the Navab Fellowship Program will be posted in LionSHARE starting in December. You can find them under the jobs tab using the label function. Search “Navab Fellowship Program” to locate all program opportunities.

To apply, upload your application materials to LionSHARE. You can apply to as many positions as you are interested in for this program.

Standard application materials include:

  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter (if required by employer)
  3. Transcript (can be unofficial): This is your spring semester course schedule, which you should access by logging onto Student Services Online, clicking on “My Schedule,” and copying and pasting your course schedule into a Microsoft Word Document. The schedule should show your full name, your school, your Spring courses with credit hours, and your enrollment status.

Timeline:

December: Position will be posted on an ongoing basis through early spring semester.
Early February to Late March: Submit applications via LionSHARE for positions.
Mid-February: Employers begin the interview process for selected candidates.
March/April: Offers extended to candidates.
Late April: Internship Pre-Program Training.
Mid-May to August: Internship period, varies by employer.
July: Reflection Project. 
August: Reflection Session.

FAQs

Am I eligible if I am on a leave of absence?

No, you must be a full-time enrolled student in the spring semester before the internship begins in order to be eligible for a Navab Fellowship Program position.

What transcript should I submit with the application?

Unless the employer requires an unofficial transcript, which will be noted in the job description in LionSHARE, we only require a copy of your spring course schedule. This is to confirm eligibility for the Navab Fellowship Program. You can copy and paste your spring course schedule into a word document, save it as a PDF, and submit it with your application materials in LionSHARE. If the employer requires a transcript, please submit a full copy of your unofficial transcript instead of the spring course schedule.

How many positions can I apply to?

You can apply to as many Navab Fellowship Program positions as interest you. You can visit the Center for Career Education for a career counseling appointment to discuss your interests and priorities.

Am I eligible to apply if I am studying abroad?

Yes. If you will be abroad during the spring semester, indicate that in your cover letter. Make sure that both your resume and cover letter include your updated contact information. If you are selected for an interview, you can reach out to us and arrange a practice interview by phone or virtual meeting. Remember to check your emails for updates from us about your application status, as these are time-sensitive communications.