In order to expand career development and recruitment opportunities for Columbia University students, Columbia Global Centers | Mumbai and Columbia’s School of Professional Studies (SPS) organized an event entitled ‘India Virtual Career and Networking Fair’ on January 28, 2021. This pilot program invited select, top-tier organizations and corporates from diverse industries operating in India to network with Columbia students and recent alumni from 17 cutting-edge SPS Masters programs. Students from Columbia Engineering and Statistics departments joined the program as well.
A total of eight companies including Bloomberg, Google, NASDAQ, Tata Sons, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, and Genese participated as employer organizations. Companies started by making brief introductions about their operations and areas of interest in talent acquisition, after which each one was assigned a dedicated breakout room for more in-depth interactions with students that included sharing company and job profiles.
The first half of the program also saw a presentation from SPS’ Career Design Lab, which, apart from networking and scoping out industry opportunities, prepares students and alumni professionally through competency and soft skills development programs. Participants were also introduced to Columbia Global Centers | Mumbai and the larger Global Centers network as a resource for students and alumni to engage with.
This inaugural Career Fair saw participation from over 50 graduate Columbia students and was received positively by both students and employers. The Center will track positions secured and continue to develop meaningful relationships with employers to bring more fruitful opportunities and avenues for professional growth to the Columbia student community.
