On-Campus Recruiting (OCR) provides employers with the opportunity to host information sessions, attend career fairs, industry showcases, and conduct interviews on campus.
On-Campus Recruiting offers direct access to some of the most competitive companies and opportunities in the job market today. Through OCR, employers can connect with you and provide information about their industry, company, and employment opportunities.
On-Campus Interviews
On Campus Interviews (OCI) are a great resource to use in your job or internships search. Employers regularly host these events either at CCE or virtually. All On-Campus Interviews can be found in LionSHARE, under “Jobs” and then selecting “Interviewing on-campus” in the filters. If you see a position of interest, you can submit your application materials directly through the job board. Be sure to follow the directions in the job description when applying. If selected to participate, you will be prompted by LionSHARE to register for a timeslot to connect with the employer. If you do not see a company hosting OCI, that does not mean they aren’t recruiting! Many organizations conduct interviews via their own internal processes and choose to participate in other on-campus recruiting events.
Employer Information Sessions
Employer information sessions are hosted by companies to give you an understanding of the goals and mission of the organization. They also provide insight into their entry-level and internship positions and programs. These are often a great way to meet with alumni working for these companies. If you are attending these sessions, you should:
- be professionally dressed
- be prepared to network
- have a few copies of your resume in case a company representative is collecting them
You can find dates and locations for employer information sessions in LionSHARE under the “Events” tab.
Career Fairs
In both the fall and spring semesters, employers are invited to attend our Career Fairs, which can be multi-industry or industry-specific. With an investment of only a few hours, these fairs are a great way for you to meet with employers and alumni from various industries and organizations. Career Fairs host a large number of employers per fair. Additional information and upcoming CCE Career Fairs can be found in LionSHARE.
Industry Showcases
Each semester we co-host several Industry Showcase events. These are great events for companies that are new to campus and seek to build brand recognition. Employers are encouraged to bring Columbia alumni as well. These events host 8-15 employers from within a common industry attracting students who are interested in learning more about opportunities and career paths within that field. Additional information and upcoming Industry Showcases can be found in LionSHARE, under the “Fairs” tab.
On-Campus Recruiting Guidance
Please review the following policies and guidelines prior to participating in on-campus interviews.
On-Campus Recruiting Policies and Guidelines
In order to maximize opportunities for you, to preserve the integrity of LionSHARE, and to support employers who come to campus, CCE has developed a set of guidelines for students and employers.
POLICIES FOR CANCELING OR RESCHEDULING AN ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEW
If you need to cancel an on-campus interview, you must do so at least 2 business days prior to the interview. You can reschedule an interview timeslot by removing yourself from the interview slot in LionSHARE or contacting CCE at least 2 business days prior to the interview; however, potential to reschedule are subject to availability.
You should never cancel a first-round OCI for a second-round interview with another employer. Employers participating in OCI are required to give you 72 hours notice of a second round interview and provide an alternate date if the first date represents a reasonable scheduling conflict (including a commitment to a first round interview with another employer on-campus). If you are unable to attend your interview on the day it is scheduled for any reason, you are required to contact CCE.
OFFER GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYERS
Employers recruiting Columbia University students are asked to follow the following offer guidelines. Employers are encouraged to accommodate reasonable student requests to extend offer deadlines.
Students will have two weeks from the date a written offer letter is received or until the deadlines below, whichever is later.
| TYPE OF OFFER | OFFER DEADLINE |
|---|---|
| Full-Time and Internship offers as a result of Fall 2023 on-campus recruiting | October 20, 2023 |
| Full-Time and internship return offers as a result of Spring 2023 or Summer 2023 internships | October 20, 2023 |
| Full-Time and Internship offers as a result of Spring 2024 on-campus recruiting | February 16, 2024 |
| Full-Time and internship return offers as a result of Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 internships | October 18, 2024 |
EXPLODING OFFERS
An exploding offer is when an employer extends an offer and gives you 24-48 hours to respond, or else the offer is taken away. Exploding offers are prohibited. Sign-on bonuses should be honored whenever offers are accepted.
Study Abroad Students
If you go abroad during the fall or spring semester, you are eligible to participate in OCI. You should indicate your study abroad location to employers via your cover letter and resume. If accepted for an OCI, sign up for an interview slot that works with your schedule and notify CCE immediately in order to effectively coordinate your interview with the employer (either via video or phone).
Most employers participating in OCI expect you to interview in person. Some are willing to accommodate a remote interview (via phone, Zoom, Teams, etc.), CCE will work with you and the employer to schedule the interview at a mutually agreed date and time. As a study abroad student, you are required to follow all OCI guidelines.
Discrimination and Harassment Policy
Columbia University is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. Consistent with this commitment and with applicable federal, state and local laws, it is the policy of the University as both an educational institution and an employer to prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment and to provide faculty, students, and staff who believe that they may be the victims of either with mechanisms for seeking redress. We recommend that all students, alumni, vendors, and employers engaged in activities with the Center for Career Education review Columbia’s Policies and Procedures on Discrimination and Harassment.
If a student or staff member engaged in an activity sponsored by the Center for Career Education (including but not limited to job listings, workshops, panels, counseling sessions, employer presentations, career fairs, interviews, mentoring, internships, off-campus recruiting, and employment) believes that the Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure may have been violated, he or she is urged to contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, a member of the Columbia University Panel on Discrimination and Sexual Harassment, or the Executive Director of Employer and Alumni Relations for the Center for Career Education. If the conduct complained of involves a person or persons within the Columbia community, the actions provided for under the Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure may apply. If the conduct complained of involves, in addition to a member of the Columbia community, a party or parties outside the Columbia community, the Center for Career Education may conduct an inquiry. In the event the Center for Career Education determines that the complained-of conduct occurred or the outside party chooses not to participate in the inquiry, the Center for Career Education may act to sever the relationship between the Center Career Education and/or Columbia University and the outside party or organization.