CCE Site Visit Program

The CCE Site Visits are exclusive opportunities tailored for undergraduate students from Columbia College, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the School of General Studies. These events are designed to provide a window into the professional world, allowing students to immerse themselves in the realities of various industries. Applications for Fall 2024 site visits are now closed.

Spring Break 2025 site visits will be held from March 17–21, 2025. Learn more at an information session:

Site visits serve as a gateway to the inner workings of organizations, offering a behind-the-scenes look at employer offices and organizational culture. Participants will have the chance to interact directly with alums and professionals, gaining first-hand insights into industry-specific practices. These visits are more than just tours; they are learning experiences that provide a deeper understanding of each company’s ethos, career trajectories available within the organization, recruitment strategies, and future opportunities for engagement and collaboration.

Spring Break 2025

San Francisco

Program Features

  • Immersion Experience: Spend Spring Break in a dynamic urban environment, gaining valuable exposure to a variety of industries while broadening your professional horizons.

  • Pre-Program Orientation: Attend a mandatory orientation session designed to equip you with effective strategies for maximizing your site visit experiences.

  • Exclusive Site Visits: Engage directly with San Francisco-based organizations, gaining insights into specific careers, companies, and industry landscapes.

  • Networking and Cultural Enrichment: Benefit from opportunities to connect with Columbia alumni and partake in enriching cultural activities.

  • End-of-Program Reflection: Engage in a reflective activity to share experiences, insights gained, and to strategize future career planning steps based on your learning.

  • Program Coverage: The program includes most meals, program-related inter-city transport, and overnight accommodations in San Francisco from Sunday evening, March 16, to Friday, March 21. Students may be required to cover some personal expenses.  

  • Travel Arrangements: Students are expected to manage and cover the costs of round-trip transportation to San Francisco. Financial assistance is available for students currently on financial aid. 

Eligibility

  • You must be a currently enrolled full-time undergraduate student at Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, or the School of General Studies.

  • Students who are on a 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 and disciplinary checks to confirm program eligibility. Certain University policy violations may disqualify you from consideration for the program.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The San Francisco application will go live on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Applications are due by Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

To apply for the San Francisco Site Visit Program, you must submit your resume, a copy of your unofficial transcript, and answer the following short answer prompt:

  • Why are you interested in participating in the San Francisco Site Visit program, and what do you hope to gain from the experience?

Application Deadline: Apply by Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Program TIMELINE

  • November 21, 2024  —  San Francisco Site Visit Program application goes live.

  • January 12, 2025  at 11:59 p.m. ET — Deadline to apply

  • March 16, 2025  — Travel to San Francisco

  • March 17 - March 21 —  San Francisco Site Visit Program Dates

Please note: The agenda for the site visits will be shared closer to the program dates.

FAQ

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM?

The San Francisco Site Visit Program is open to students from Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, or the School of General Studies

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 site visit 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.

ARE THERE COSTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM?

You will be responsible for your transportation to and from San Francisco and any personal spending you do while there. These expenses will not be reimbursed. Once the Site Visit Program begins in San Francisco, all costs will be covered, including most meals, program-related transportation around the city, and lodging. Financial assistance is available for students currently on financial aid.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM A SITE VISIT?

You can expect to learn more about the organization, recruitment process and potential internship, volunteer and full-time opportunities. You will also experience the company culture and network with staff members, and/or alumni working at the organization.

WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?

Unless indicated differently for an individual site visit,  the suggested dress code is business/smart casual attire.

HOW CAN I MAKE THE MOST OF A SITE VISIT?

  • Prepare ahead of time: Spend some time learning about the organization through its website, read its career pages, and check for postings on LionSHARE. Also, search for any recent news about the organization and know about its products and services. Prepare a list of questions and bring a pen and paper to take notes.

  • Be Professional: Although a site visit is not an interview, your contribution on the day can lead to an ongoing relationship with the organization. As a representative of Columbia University, you make a positive impression by showing an interest in the day’s activities and asking well-researched questions. This means you should not be using your cell phone or other devices during the site visit.

WHAT RESOURCES WILL I BE PROVIDED TO BE BEST PREPARED FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO SITE VISIT?

  • You will have the opportunity to attend an information session to learn more about what the site visit consists of and why/how you can use an opportunity like this to start thinking about your career. Once selected as a participant, you will receive:

    • A pre-departure orientation prior to the site visit that consists of tips on making the most of your professional experience, networking and career goal setting, site visit agendas, and Q & A.

    • An opportunity to reflect on your site visit experience and to provide feedback to CCE.

Washington, D.C.

Program Features

  • Pre-program training includes tips on making the most of the Site Visit experience, professional dress and etiquette, and networking and career goal setting 

  • Experience the city during Spring Break to understand and gain exposure to various industries of interest

  • 5-6 site visits to D.C.-based organizations to learn about a career, company, or industry in keeping with or beyond their current academic are of interest

  • End-of-program reflection where students discuss the experience and next steps in career planning

  • Financial coverage: All meals, inter-city transportation, and overnight accommodation (Sunday, March 16 – Friday, March 21) in Washington, D.C. are covered through the program. 

  • Students are responsible for covering the costs of transportation round trip toWashington, D.C.. The program begins on Sunday, March 16, 2025 in Washington, D.C. and ends on Friday morning, March 21.

*Financial assistance is available for students on financial aid to help with transportation costs to and from Washington, D.C.; please indicate in the application.* 

Eligibility

  • You must be a full-time undergraduate student at Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, or the School of General Studies. 

  • Students 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. The Washington, D.C. Site Visit is considered a career exploration program and does not count as off-campus employment. 

*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 D.C. application will go live on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Applications are due by Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

To apply for the Washington D.C. Site Visit Program, you must submit your resume, a copy of your unofficial transcript, and answer the following short answer prompt:

  • Why are you interested in participating in the Washington D.C. Site Visit program, and what do you hope to gain from the experience?

Application Deadline: Apply by Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Program TIMELINE

  • November 21, 2025  —  Washington D.C. Site Visit Program application goes live.

  • January 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET — Deadline to apply

  • March 16, 2025  — Travel to Washington D.C.

  • March 17 - March 21 —  Washington D.C.Site Visit Program Dates

Please note: The agenda for the site visits will be shared closer to the program dates.

FAQs

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM?

The D.C. Site Visit Program is open to students from Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, or the School of General Studies

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 site visit 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.

ARE THERE COSTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM?

You will be responsible for your transportation to and from D.C. and any personal spending you do while there. These expenses will not be reimbursed. Once the Site Visit Program begins in D.C., all costs will be covered, including most meals, program-related transportation around the city, and lodging. Financial assistance is available for students currently on financial aid.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM A SITE VISIT?

You can expect to learn more about the organization, recruitment process and potential internship, volunteer and full-time opportunities. You will also experience the company culture and network with staff members, and/or alumni working at the organization.

WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?

Unless indicated differently for an individual site visit, the suggested dress code is business/smart casual attire.

HOW CAN I MAKE THE MOST OF A SITE VISIT?

  • Prepare ahead of time: Spend some time learning about the organization through its website, read its career pages, and check for postings on LionSHARE. Also, search for any recent news about the organization and know about its products and services. Prepare a list of questions and bring a pen and paper to take notes.

  • Be Professional: Although a site visit is not an interview, your contribution on the day can lead to an ongoing relationship with the organization. As a representative of Columbia University, you make a positive impression by showing an interest in the day’s activities and asking well-researched questions. This means you should not be using your cell phone or other devices during the site visit.

WHAT RESOURCES WILL I BE PROVIDED TO BE BEST PREPARED FOR THE SITE VISIT?

  • You will have the opportunity to attend an information session to learn more about what the site visit consists of and why/how you can use an opportunity like this to start thinking about your career.  Once selected as a participant, you will receive:

    • A pre-departure orientation prior to the site visit that consists of tips on making the most of your professional experience, networking and career goal setting, site visit agendas, and Q & A.

    • An opportunity to reflect on your site visit experience and to provide feedback to CCE.

Program Features

  • Attend one mandatory pre-program orientation to learn and practice best strategies on preparing for your upcoming site visit(s).

  • Receive ongoing career development support from CCE career counselors.

  • Metrocards will be provided to participating students and lunch will be provided at select site visits.

  • You must be a currently enrolled full-time undergraduate student at Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, or the School of General Studies.

  • Students who are on a 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 and disciplinary checks to confirm program eligibility. Certain University policy violations may disqualify you from consideration for the program.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application for the New York City Site Visit Program will go live on Monday, January 27, 2025. Applications are due by MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2025 AT 12:00 PM (NOON).

To apply for the New York Site Visit Program, you must submit a copy of your resume and transcript and answer the following short answer prompts:

  1. Please indicate your top 3 industry preferences.

  2. Explain your industry preferences selection. Do you have previous exposure to these industries? If so, please describe (extra-curricular activities, classes, part-time jobs, etc.) If your industries of interest are brand new to you, please describe why you are interested in learning more about them. 

  3. In one paragraph, explain how this opportunity would benefit your career journey.

Program TIMELINE

  • January 27, 2025  —  New York Site Visit Program application goes live.

  • February 17, 2025 at 12:00 pm (noon) — Deadline to apply 

  • February 28 - March 7 — Pre-Program Orientations

  • March 17 - March 21  —  New York Site Visit Program Dates

  • Please note: The exact times for the site visits will be shared closer to the program dates.

What should I expect from a site visit?

You can expect to learn more about the organization, recruitment process and potential internship, volunteer and full-time opportunities. You will also experience the company culture and network with staff members, and/or alumni working at the organization.

What is the dress code?

Unless indicated differently for an individual site visit,  the suggested dress code is business/smart casual attire.

How can I make the most of a site visit?

  • Prepare ahead of time: Spend some time learning about the organization through its website, read its career pages, and check for postings on LionSHARE. Also, search for any recent news about the organization and know about its products and services. Prepare a list of questions and bring a pen and paper to take notes.

  • Be Professional: Although a site visit is not an interview, your contribution on the day can lead to an ongoing relationship with the organization. As a representative of Columbia University, you make a positive impression by showing an interest in the day’s activities and asking well-researched questions. This means you should not be using your cell phone or other devices during the site visit.

Interested in learning about previous site visits? Check out our New York Spring 2024 Recap and the San Francisco Spring 2024 Recap.