This spring break, Columbia University’s Center for Career Education (CCE) offered students a remarkable opportunity to explore the professional landscapes of San Francisco through its Site Visit Program. This multi-day journey enabled participants to engage directly with industry leaders, absorb valuable career insights, and explore diverse professional environments from museums to venture capital firms.
Day 1: Arts Meets Technology at SFMOMA
Our first destination was the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), where students were welcomed by Dee Minnite from Collections, Exhibitions & Design; Gamynne Guillotte from Education & Public Engagement; and Katy Siegel, the Research Director for Special Program Initiatives. Our hosts discussed how museums increasingly operate at the crossroads of art and technology across a range of activities like curation, exhibition design, admissions processes, research, and audience engagement. Key insights underscored the integration of film and multimedia into museums, the evolving role of AI in the arts, and the vital importance of museum evaluations for understanding audience responses to the utilization of space. A conservation tour highlighted both traditional and innovative career paths in art restoration while providing a sneak peek at upcoming exhibitions.
Day 2: Insights from Bain Capital Ventures and Sixth Street
The next morning, we visited Bain Capital Ventures (BCV), where Kevin Zhang (CC ’14), Angela Liu (CC ’21), and Reggie Williams (CC ’10) introduced students to the venture capital industry. BCV stands out in the venture capital landscape due to its distinctive approach to investing. Unlike many VC firms that focus solely on the initial surge of startup growth, BCV commits to their portfolio companies well beyond the early boom by actively assisting them in developing capacities that support sustainable growth.. At BCV, we saw how working in the tech industry doesn’t require an engineering background. For example, BCV engages with tech companies through various critical roles, such as obtaining funding, developing talent, and building robust infrastructure. Working for BCV requires more than just financial savvy. Skills like strong networking abilities, exceptional client relations, and proactive outreach are essential for fostering genuine, long-term partnerships.
Following BCV, we visited Sixth Street for a deep dive into alternative investments with Co-Founder & Partner, Vijay Mohan (CC ’01) and panelists from different sectors. The firm distinguishes itself by organizing into specialized teams focused on areas such as Fundamental Strategies, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Insurance, and more. Sixth Street prides itself on adopting a non-siloed, interdisciplinary approach to investment and on making strategic investments in “opportunistic fields.” Instead of traditional investment avenues like fixed income or public equities, SixthStreet focuses on resilient industries, like engineering, and aims to anticipate market shifts by tracking consumer trends. For example, the firm is considering increasing investments in real estate as the future of office buildings and workspace needs could reshape urban landscapes.
Our second day concluded with a networking dinner at the residence of Anna Brockway (CC ’92), President and Co-Founder of Chairish. During the event, Brockway shared invaluable insights into the entrepreneurial journey and career development. She emphasized that career paths are inherently non-linear and encouraged students to embrace exploration and acquire diverse skills and passions. Brockway highlighted the enduring nature of Columbia connections, noting their potential to resurface in unexpected ways throughout one’s career. Furthermore, Brockway candidly discussed the challenges of starting and managing a business with a partner, and provided a realistic glimpse into the complexities of entrepreneurship. Various Columbia alumni joined the networking dinner, informally offering practical advice and strengthening community ties to our students.
Day 3: Learning about Conscious Investments at S&P Global Ratings
Our mid-week visit to S&P Global Ratings featured an insightful panel discussion hosted by Director and Lead Analyst Alán Bonilla (GS ’03). The panel included Chris Morgan, Director of US Law and Government, and Christian Arellano, Manager of Corporate, with moderation by Sai Sai Han Hark (GS ’26). Key takeaways centered around the recent rise of environmental and socially conscious investments. The panel emphasized the importance of foundational skills such as analytical thinking, effective communication, and relationship-building. They also encouraged students to demonstrate genuine interest and curiosity in their fields, highlighting the value of diverse experiences. The event concluded with a strong recommendation for students to continue networking with them by connecting on LinkedIn.
After the visit to S&P Global Ratings, students had the opportunity to independently explore the vibrant city of San Francisco. The students experienced the city’s rich culture, iconic landmarks, and diverse neighborhoods. Later in the evening, the cohort reconvened for a group dinner, providing a relaxed atmosphere to share their reflections. This gathering fostered deeper connections among the students as they reflected on the panel discussion, exchanged personal experiences, and discussed how the insights gained could be applied to their future careers.
Day 4: Exploring Media and Advertising at KQED and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners
On Thursday morning, we visited KQED, where students engaged with a dynamic staff panel featuring Bridgett Barrett, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary; Alex Hall, Enterprise & Accountability Reporter; Josh Decolongon, Audience Engagement Producer; and Sheree Bishop, Rightnowish Intern. The session was hosted by Gabriel Ching from Human Resources — Talent Acquisition.
Students learned about KQED’s evolution from a radio station founded in 1954 to a multifaceted platform supporting TV, radio, podcasts, performances, workshops, and more. As a PBS affiliate, KQED’s content focuses on arts and culture, news, science, education, and food, celebrating diversity, creativity, innovation, and lifelong learning. The panelists emphasized the importance of various forms of collaboration in media. After the panel, students toured the facilities, including the newsroom, podcast/recording studio, and stage/performance space, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the operations behind KQED’s impactful media presence.
Later, at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, students were introduced to the creative and strategic aspects of advertising. The agency stressed the integration of various skill sets, from tech to art, to create impactful campaigns that go beyond mere slogans, revealing how creativity is applied in commercial contexts to influence public perception.
The day culminated in another insightful and fun networking dinner, this time hosted by Kevin Zhang (CC ‘14) of Bain Capital Ventures, which brought together recent Columbia alumni from various sectors.
Final Day: Navigating Careers at Google
For our final site visit on Friday morning, we headed to Google’s San Francisco campus to meet up with Annie Ma-Weaver (CC ‘09), Group Product Manager for Cloud, and James Lam (SEAS ‘07), Head of Services Partnerships. The visit provided insight into how to secure a job at a dream company like Google. Key takeaways included the importance of expressing interest early and often, entering the company’s database, following through with interviews, and not getting discouraged by rejections. Once you’ve applied for a position, a recruiter may see you in the system when reviewing past strong candidates and contact you about a different role. Our hosts highlighted how referrals can be crucial, advising students to leverage their connections. They also recommended students strive for balance in their careers, promoting the idea of working smarter, not harder. Lastly, the hosts encouraged students to utilize the CCE Interview Resources for additional support in their job search.
Broadening Perspectives and Building Bonds
The Site Visit Program is not just about visiting companies; it is a journey that promotes self-discovery, networking, and envisioning future possibilities. Throughout the week, students not only discovered potential career paths, but also benefited from the cohort experience, bonding over shared experiences.
As one student aptly noted, “The trip was fundamental in exposing me to west coast work culture and has made me reconsider where I see myself post-graduation.” Another reflected on the power of peer-to-peer networking, emphasizing how the trip highlighted the importance of maintaining connections and being open to diverse career opportunities.
Columbia University’s CCE Site Visit Program to San Francisco was a resounding success, providing students with a rich tapestry of experiences and insights that will undoubtedly influence their career trajectories for years to come.
