Hear directly from alumni about careers and companies across different industries!

The Career Exploration Summit (CES) is a virtual opportunity for undergraduates to explore and engage with alumni in brand name companies across various industries.

The program will feature a series of 90-minute alumni panels across three days where students will have the opportunity to connect with alumni to explore careers while developing skills alongside a cohort of fellow Columbia students. 

Alumni panelists from creative, arts, biotech, life sciences, media, and journalism will discuss topics from the most pressing trends to what their day-to-day looks like to help you explore different career opportunities and pathways. 

You will also receive professional development support from CCE during the week and beyond.

The 2025 CES will be held on January 14 — 16, 2025. 

The schedule for the 2025 CES will be: 

  • January 14: Creative/Arts

  • January 15: Biotech/Life Sciences

  • January 16: Media/Journalism

Program Benefits

By participating in the Career Exploration Summit, you will:

  • Understand more about various industries and career paths
  • Connect with alumni and employer representatives at companies across a range of industries in creative, arts, biotech, life sciences, media, and journalism.   
  • Interact with your fellow students and CCE counselors through participating in alumni panels 
  • Receive ongoing support through meetings with CCE career counselors 

Eligibility

  • You must be a full-time undergraduate student currently enrolled  in one of the following schools:
    •  Columbia College
    • Columbia Engineering
    • School of General Studies
  • Students who are on a leave of absence or who have withdrawn from Columbia University are not eligible.

*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 program

Application Process & Timeline

APPLICATION PROCESS

The Career Exploration Summit (CES) application will go live in LionSHARE on Monday, November 11, 2024. Applications are due by Monday, January 6, 2025, at 12 pm ET.

You can apply for the Career Exploration Summit here.

The following items must be submitted as one document to the posting(s) in LionSHARE:

  1. Resume
  2. Response to short-answer question

APPLICATION TIMELINE

  • November 11, 2024  —  CES application goes live in LionSHARE
  • January 6, 2025, at 12 pm ET — Deadline to apply for the Summit
  • January 14 – January 16 — Career Exploration Summit
  • Career Exploration Summit program takes place for 90 minutes each day. Please note: The exact times for virtual sessions will be between 11:45 am — 1:15 pm ET.