Over spring break, 104 Columbia students visited 12 employers across New York City through the Site Visit Program. This program gives students a firsthand look at what it’s like to work at employers across industries. Read on for key takeaways from each site visit.

Bloomberg

The Spring 2024 Site Visit Program kicked off at Bloomberg’s headquarters on Lexington Avenue. Recruiter Shayna Fielding discussed Bloomberg’s history, values, and office design which embodies the principles of transparency and communication. Students were impressed not only by the office tour but also by the company’s dedication to philanthropy and public service.

Software engineers and Columbia alumni Ruchika Goel SEAS ’22 and Joseph Corbisiero SEAS ’13 joined us for a panel moderated by Cliff Jacobs, where they shared insights on career growth and emphasized the importance of soft skills, work-life balance, and leveraging relationships with TAs and professors. Career growth at Bloomberg is horizontal; employees are encouraged to explore various options within the company to increase their impact and build talent.

Employer Insights

  • Ruchika Goel SEAS ’22: “The soft skills are important. No matter how hard you work technically, you need to be able to communicate that effectively.”

Student Insights

  • “I appreciated the campus tour and alumni panel. It was good to hear from people at different stages in their career and ask them questions informally while eating lunch.”

TUMI

Students settled into the sleek conference room at TUMI’s Madison Avenue headquarters to hear about various roles at the luggage brand. Creative Director Victor Sanz opened with the history of the company, upcoming design partnerships and launches, and his personal pathway to leadership. Students learned from SVP of Product Management Jen Avallon about Global Merchandising at TUMI and from ECommerce Lead Nicola Miller about the numbers and data behind TUMI’s brand growth. Key advice for students included advocating for yourself and cultivating mentors. The day wrapped up with a tour of the TUMI “Lab Store,” a concept store housed on the street-level of TUMI headquarters. 

With all branches of TUMI housed in the current headquarters space, the “billion-dollar startup” prides itself on maintaining a small company atmosphere while driving high profits and big-name partnerships. While TUMI relies on profits from tried and true items like their black dopp kit, the company has moved away from using only black and utilizes many colors, materials, and textures in its designs. Some designs even incorporate the same high endurance materials used by NASA!

Employer Insights

  • Jen Avallon: “Being in the right place at the right time matters in the job search.” “Don’t constrain yourself. Remain a student and stay curious; bring ideas to your team.”

Live Star Entertainment

Our visit to Live Star Entertainment began with an exciting phone call. Our host — two-time Emmy Award-winning Director, Writer, Executive Producer, and Live Star Founder Eric Drath GS ’94 — apologized: “I have to take this call; it’s the White House.” After hanging up, Eric explained the context for the call: the all-Black Tennessee A&I basketball team that won three back-to-back national championships at the height of the Jim Crow era had finally been invited to the White House, an overdue recognition of their talent. We saw in real time some of the fast-paced, exciting work happening at Live Star.

Live Star Entertainment is a full-service production company specializing in original content, live and streamed events, and corporate video. Live Star utilizes leading technology and a global network of talented staff to execute productions requiring anywhere from 5 to 100 crew members. From documentaries, branded content, commercials, and award shows, to live concerts, music videos, network sports campaigns, and more, Live Star aims to provide flawless execution, wisdom from experience, and enthusiasm for its clients’ projects. 

We also met Danielle Naassana, Emmy-Nominated Producer and Executive Producer at Live Star. Danielle shared how she secured two jobs by going up to film crews on the street and asking to speak with the producer of the film. Naasana and Drath both emphasized persistence and determination; they recommended following your interests, learning the art of sales through listening and relationship building, and learning as much as possible by saying yes to new opportunities.

Employer Insights

  • Eric Drath: “Keep your eyes wide open and opportunities will happen.”

Flatiron Health

Flatiron Health is dedicated to improving cancer care through data-driven solutions. The company collects data to advance cancer research by collaborating with academic centers and life science partners globally and has expanded operations to London, Berlin, and Tokyo. 

Kelly Moore, the Early Careers Recruiter, highlighted their 12-week summer internship program focused on software engineering and data insights, targeting students in computer science, computer engineering, data science, and statistics. This rigorous program offers interns mentoring and hands-on experience with real-world projects. The site visit featured a dynamic panel of Columbia alumni representing diverse backgrounds and career paths such as software engineering, data analysis, life science partnerships, and client solutions.

Employer Insights

  • Neha Rustogl, Senior Software Engineer (SEAS ’14): “Make sure that your coding abilities are strong and pay attention in algorithm class. Think about what type of companies you want to work on, think about what you are passionate about.”
  • Hannah Staples, Life Science Partnerships Associate (BC ’20): “Having soft skills is important and being able to communicate effectively to a variety of stakeholders, especially presentation skills. After graduation, go somewhere where you will learn a lot.”
  • Alan Watson, Senior Manager, Client Solutions (CC ’17): “Put yourself in uncomfortable situations and work on soft skills. My work in project management is heavily involved in meetings and talking to different teams and customers to take insights from both parties to find the right compromise to move forward.”
  • Charlotte Liao, Senior Data Analyst (SEAS ’21): “Doing a lot of internships in various industries is helpful to figure out what type of work environment you feel more comfortable in (startup vs midsize vs large companies). Try to take classes where you know you will get to work on a lot of projects. Go to career sessions and reach out to people on LinkedIn (out of interest, not with the intention to get a referral).”

Student Insights

  • “I largely benefited from connecting with current employees and understanding the value offered by the company. The Healthcare industry deeply interests me, so I really loved learning about how this company works with cancer data to lay the foundation for country-wide databases and use by both doctors and researchers.”

  • “I think Flatiron Health was very passionate in their mission because what they are doing is very pivotal for the development of society, and they introduced me to the idea of software engineering and what it includes. It was a great experience and listening from people that were in the same shoes and had the same ideas as me were inspiring.”

Tia Morris TC ’11, Executive Director of Teach for America NY, gave a powerful speech in which she challenged each site visit attendee  with a simple question: How are you going to change the world? She encouraged students to think back to a former educator who has made an impact on their lives, and noted: “You could be that for someone else.”

At TFA’s NY headquarters, we heard from a panel of trailblazers across the education/non-profit sector who encouraged students to be bold in doing both the inner work of understanding and reflecting on personal stories and the outward engagement with the world by trying new things and talking to new people. After hearing from Genesis Bellot, TFA’s Director of Early Engagement (NY, NJ, PA, DE); Lissete Estrada, Cofounding Managing Director at Braven; and Merlin Valdez, Cofounder of Planning Period, students were provided time to connect with the speakers and given a tour of the TFA office.

Student Insights

  • “The program helped me get better at researching information about companies, asking questions to employers, and introducing myself to employers. For students who participate in future site visits, I think it’s important to research the company or industry so that you have well-informed questions to ask people during the site visit.”
  • “I learned that it’s important to give myself a couple of months to research where I want to intern so that I have enough time to complete internship applications.”

EssilorLuxottica

At the New York headquarters of EssilorLuxottica, students learned about the global eyewear and eyecare company and met many professionals in a variety of the company’s departments. The visit began with an overview of EssilorLuxxotica’s business model, international scope, and internship program. Then, panelists working in finance, marketing, and data shared their experiences at EssilorLuxottica and their advice. After the panel, many more professionals from the New York office as well as other U.S. offices joined the students for a lively networking session. The visit concluded with a visit to the showroom where students tried on new merchandise from Essilor Luxottica brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Prada.

Employer Insights

When asked what characteristics of interns impress them, Carrie Fondu, Senior Director of Finance said that willingness to ask questions and curiosity about how your work impacts the bigger picture are qualities that she looks for. Boyd Wilson, Senior Brand Manager, shared that he is impressed by interns taking ownership of a project. Jerry Wang, a former intern and recent SEAS Master’s graduate, recommended that interns think through problems and ask thoughtful questions, rather than waiting to be spoon-fed information.

Student Insights

  • “Everything was incredibly organized and all the information presented was done thoughtfully. All of my questions were formally addressed. The amenities and the gifts that were provided to all the students on the site visit made the experience even more memorable. I loved the tour so much. I really appreciate the invaluable advice that was provided by each of the speakers at the event, especially now that we were given the opportunity to closely connect with each one of them. I wouldn’t add anything to this particular site visit, it was great.”
  • “I liked that there was a time sectioned out specifically for networking with people outside of alumni and panelists. The people they brought out were of all different backgrounds and professions so it was interesting to talk to all of them.”

Blue Owl Capital

CCE’s Karla Thomas facilitated a panel discussion with Blue Owl Capital employees who were all Columbia alums: Sean Connor, CC ’05, President and CEO of Global Private Wealth; Denise Brenner, CC ’08, LAW ’11, Managing Director, Legal Department; and Nathan Bram, CC ’14, Vice President. Discussion topics included their most helpful resources in preparing for their current roles, favorite and most challenging aspects of their jobs, their entry point into finance, and advice for their younger selves. Sean noted that Blue Owl looks for good people who have a team-oriented mindset and do their work with integrity. After the panel, it was time for lunch and opportunities to network casually with additional team members. The site visit ended with a tour of the facilities.

Employer Insights

  • Denise Brenner, Managing Director, Legal Department (CC ’08, LAW ’11): “Look up and out. Build relationships and build your network, that’s been the most helpful in getting me to where I am today.” 

  • Nathan Bram, Vice President (CC ’14): “Find Columbia grads and network. Don’t underestimate their willingness to chat. I underestimated the difficulty of getting an internship/job — having good grades and a resume aren’t enough.”

Student Insights

  • “The site visits really helped me better gauge my interest in a career in financial services. It was a great learning opportunity, as I got to speak face-to-face with professionals and experts in the field and get a more practical understanding of what their work looks like on a daily basis.”
  • “I’d like to emphasize that It’s okay to not completely know what you want to do for the rest of your life, especially so early on into your college career. Pivots and major changes are bound to happen. Don’t be afraid to try everything. You miss all the shots you do not take. Last but not least, treat everyone with kindness, and never stop networking, because this world is smaller than you might think. Everyone knows everyone.”

Cornerstone Research

At Cornerstone Research, students learned about the day-to-day of an economic consultant, career paths at the firm, and ongoing learning and support offered. Cornerstone Research offers the opportunity to be a part of a team working on many different topics across a variety of industries. Staff noted that this aspect of their work has allowed them to expand their skills, foster intellectual curiosity, and collaborate with their peers. When recruiting interns and full-time analysts, Cornerstone Research looks for students who are intellectually curious, strong communicators, receptive with feedback, and have a balance of quantitative and qualitative skills. Students toured the office space and were able to network with a mix of tenured and first-year analysts after the company presentation.

Employer Insights

  • “Cornerstone offers a way to satisfy an interest in law and quantitative work.”
  • “If you’re trying to determine if economic consulting is for you, see whether you like the case interview. That’s basically what we do, so if you like the case interview then you’ll like this work.”

Student Insights

  • “I liked how detailed and professional it was. The networking part with new analysts was also helpful in drawing a road map for applying.”
  • “Cornerstone Research’s panel of guests was welcoming and the ability to network was valuable.”

PwC

PwC offers a range of career opportunities and programs designed to help students and early-career professionals explore various paths and develop their skills. During the site visit, we learned about various comprehensive career preview programs, internships, and specific experiences such as the Women’s Consulting Experience and Destination CPA that cater to diverse interests and backgrounds. Connect with PwC to stay updated on ongoing opportunities. The highlight of the visit was the opportunity to interact with a diverse panel of Columbia Alumni from different units within PwC’s Strategy& team.

Employer Insights

  • Timothy Eng, Associate, Enterprise Strategy & Value (CC ’21): “Each project is different as you work on different functions and business lines. As an intern or associate you are helping with the research, [and will] learn how to build a model. You will spend 30% of time in Excel, 30% in Powerpoint, the other percentage working with the clients.”
  • Maud Boutolleau, Senior Associate, Customs and International Trade (LAW ’20): “Ask a lot of questions. I think people are always willing to share what they know and their knowledge so it’s a great learning experience.”
  • Danielle Greirsong, Senior Associate, Private Equity Ops, Diligence, & Value Creation (BC ’13, BUS ’23): “Your career isn’t linear so be open to trying new things. Take every experience as a learning opportunity both inside and outside the classroom, because you never know what might pique your interest.”
  • Sydney Jones, Associate, Enterprise Strategy & Value (CC ’21): “As an intern you should take time to network; learn from staff about what they do and how they have developed at the firm.”

Student Insights

“PwC gave a lot of knowledge about jobs that I didn’t know existed within business because I am still new to this career, but they did a great job breaking it into different areas and industries. I was really interested in how they even mentioned business in the healthcare and medicine industry because this was basically what I wanted to pursue and I didn’t know how to get started or who to reach out to, but they were a big help.”

Citi

The site visit to Citi provided insightful perspectives from various leaders and analysts, highlighting the dynamic and supportive environment at the firm. Our opening speaker Madlen Dorosh, Managing Director and NAM Head of Sales, shared her non-linear career journey and emphasized the importance of taking risks and leveraging diverse experiences. Michelle Jetton, Markets Associate, underscored the value of mentorship and adaptability in transitioning from academia to the professional world. Danielle Mandichak, a first-year analyst, discussed the benefits of the rotational program for gaining varied experiences. Dominick Fulgieri, Senior Associate, and Adrian-Diaz-Granados, Director, both praised Citi’s culture of internal mobility and mentorship, encouraging students to align their careers with personal interests. Yuwei Yao, an analyst, highlighted the robust mentorship and networking opportunities that influenced her decision to join Citi full-time. Students are encouraged to explore Citi’s Program Guide and apply to Citi’s Early Insight Programs to start their journey with the company.

The visit concluded with an exclusive tour of the trading floor, showcasing the fast-paced and energetic environment at Citi. Overall, the visit underscored Citi’s commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and supportive relationships within the company.

Employer Insights

  • Dominick Fulgieri: “Be true to yourself and think about what you want out of the job. Think about what you like out of life and try to use that as input into what you want to go into.” 

Student Insights

  • “I thought the Q&A panel was the highlight of that visit. It was very interesting to hear about the panelists’ personal experiences. Also, the tour of the trading floor was eye-opening.”

  • “The warmth and enthusiasm displayed by the Citibank team made the experience inviting and engaging. The opportunity to communicate with alumni working at Citibank added a personal touch and provided invaluable insights into the corporate culture and career trajectories within the banking industry. Additionally, being able to visit their office offered a hands-on learning experience about the bank’s operations and services.”

On our final day, we visited Goldman Sachs, “a leading global financial institution that delivers a broad range of financial services to a large and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals.” A campus recruiter shared information about the recruiting timeline with students. The recruiter then moderated a panel with professionals from various divisions of the company, covering topics including the application process, favorite aspects of what the panelists’ do, what qualities and skills are valued in a candidate when interviewing, the most exciting trends and their potential impact over the next five years, and what makes the company stand out. Students also had the opportunity to ask the panel their questions.

Employer Insights

Key insights from the panel included:

  • The importance of preparing for interviews by reflecting on your relevant skills and interests, researching the company including via networking, and preparing thoughtful questions to ask 

  • The importance of being both confident and humble while interviewing

  • The highly collaborative culture in support of clients as well as in terms of mentoring

  • The emphasis on giving back to communities in various ways

Student Insights

  • “Goldman Sachs taught me a lot about what it takes to try and apply for these big companies, and how you should do a lot of intensive research about the companies beforehand but even if you get the job you should still be trying to learn as much as possible from even the smallest of tasks. They also taught me how at such a large and famous company it is easy and important to ask questions because everyone doesn’t know everything and it’s about how you learn from your mistakes and questions.”

On Friday morning, students visited UNIQLO’s flagship store in SoHo and their corporate office in an adjacent building. The SoHo store manager led a tour of the vast and historic space, exploring UNIQLO’s brand philosophy of selling well-made clothing for everyday life. The tour also gave insight into UNIQLO’s display strategy as well as its mission of infusing art into products through partnerships with Kinokuniya bookstore, MoMA, and the MFA Boston. 

After the tour, students visited UNIQLO’s corporate office where Sustainability Director Jean Shein GS ’98 gave an overview of UNIQLO’s global operations, sustainability goals, and plans for expansion in the U.S. Then a panel of UNIQLO professionals working in HR, marketing, and digital strategy joined the students. The panelists shared how and why they joined the company and the projects they’re most excited about. They emphasized the non-hierarchical and feedback driven culture at UNIQLO and how they grow leaders within the company. Jean and the panelists highlighted how the UNIQLO Manager Candidate program, an intensive new graduate program that fosters an entrepreneurial approach, has produced many company leaders throughout different departments.

Employer Insights

When hiring interns, the panelists shared that they look for applicants who have a passion for customer service, who enjoy the unpredictability of a retail environment, and who have a business leader mindset in analyzing and solving problems.

Student Insights

  • “Awesome site visit, wasn’t exactly what I expected to see either — the tour was super personalized and the staff put genuine effort into their presentation.”