Columbia Global Career Accelerator

The Columbia Global Career Accelerator is a digital learning program designed for undergraduate students from all backgrounds and experience levels. It aims to provide valuable industry experience and in-demand global skills. This program goes beyond a traditional work experience, allowing participants to explore a variety of skills and organizations, enhancing their knowledge and strengthening their resumes.

Participants can choose to engage in one of five specialized tracks, each offering access to skills projects and certifications related to a specific area of expertise. The available tracks are:

• Digital Marketing  
• Data Analytics 
• Web Development for Everyone 
• Coding for Data 
• Career Rotation

The program is designed to empower participants in their career path no matter what stage they are at, helping get the experience necessary to compete for future internships, research opportunities, full time positions and more! 

This program is delivered in a full online format that applies hands-on, skill-centered, and experiential learning methods. A considerable amount of self-directed, and independent work is required. Participants will have a high level of academic support, and engagement with mentors and peers.

The anticipated program dates are June 2 – August 8 (10 weeks). During that time, participants will be expected to devote 10-15 hours per week to engage in:

• Self-paced asynchronous learning (reading, watching videos, independent practice)
• Twice-a-week live online classes (LiveLabs), including group work with a focus on practicing their intercultural skills and teamwork skills
• Experiential intercultural workshops
• Weekly reflection activities & a summative reflection paper to capture their experience

Beyond this, participants will be expected to complete a pre-program training in May, a mid-program check-in in July, and post-program reflection with CCE staff in late August/early September. 

There is a program fee of $1,800 to participate in the Columbia Global Career Accelerator. 

Financial assistance is available for students currently on financial aid.

• You must be a currently enrolled full-time undergraduate student at Columbia College or the School of General Studies, graduating in Fall 2025 or later.
• Students who are on leave of absence or who have withdrawn from Columbia University are not eligible. You must be a currently registered student in good academic and disciplinary standing. International students are eligible to participate. This is considered a career exploration program and, therefore, does not count as off-campus employment.
• International students do not need to secure OPT or CPT to participate in this program.

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

APPLICATION PROCESS

The Columbia Global Career Accelerator application will go live on LionSHARE, powered by Handshake on Monday, March 24, 2025. Applications will be due by Wednesday, April 23, 2025. 

To apply, you must submit a copy of your resume and transcript, and an answer to each of the following prompts in one to two paragraphs:

• Why are you interested in participating in the Columbia Global Career Accelerator and how would it enhance your overall career aspirations?
• This program will be 10 weeks of online, partially asynchronous learning and project work with a 10-15 hour a week time commitment. Please provide an overview of your current summer commitments and insight into how you plan to ensure success in the program.

Example summer commitments are: internships, study abroad, academic coursework, summer jobs, and personal commitments that would prevent you from completing the program requirements. 

TIMELINE

• March 24, 2025 at 12pm ET—  Application Opens
• March 28, 2025  — Virtual Information Session
• April 11, 2025  — Virtual Information Session
• April 23, 2025 at 12PM ET — Application Closes
• May 2, 2025— Notifications of Acceptance and Alternate Status
• May 7, 2025 — Deadline to Accept Offer and Pay Program Fee (if applicable)
• May 19-23 — Pre-Program Training Dates
• June 2 — August 8 — Columbia Global Career Accelerator Program Dates

Please note: The exact times will be shared closer to the program dates.

Are there any prerequisites for this program?
CGCA is intentionally designed to introduce students to different technical concepts and industries. While we’re looking for applicants with an interest in these areas, we do not expect applicants to have had previous experience with them. In fact, we highly encourage applicants who have not had much internship or extracurricular experience in these areas to apply.

Are there costs to participate in this program?
There is a $1,800 program fee to participate. Financial assistance is available for students currently on financial aid.

How would I be selected for this program?
We will conduct a thorough screening of applicants and work as a committee to select students who are the best fit for the program and who we think will get the most out of the CGCA experience. Acceptance to the program is based on the following criteria: (1) the potential value of participating in a program based on your interest and past experiences as described in your application; (2) the quality of your application within the context of the whole applicant pool.

What type of transcript do I need to submit?
Your unofficial transcript from the Columbia registrar’s office is preferred. We will accept a copy of your course schedule from SSOL. Feel free to attach the document as either a PDF or a screenshot.

If I am a SEAS student can I still apply? 
At this time this cohort is limited to applicants from Columbia College and The School of General Studies. If you are a School of Engineering and Applied Sciences student please email cce-programs@columbia.edu and we will note your interest for possible future iterations of this program.