Internship
Thank you for working with the Columbia University School of Professional Studies – Career Design Lab (CDL) to host an intern. We believe in the value of internships which provide rich and meaningful experiences for students to thrive in the professional world and set the foundation for gaining a competitive edge. CDL works collaboratively with internship hosts and students throughout the process before, during and after an internship.
What Is An Internship?
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) defines an internship as a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional workplace setting (across in-person, remote, or hybrid modalities). Internships provide students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience, develop social capital, explore career fields, and make connections in professional fields. In addition, internships serve as a significant recruiting mechanism for employers, providing them with the opportunity to guide and evaluate potential candidates.
EMPLOYER QUICK GUIDE TO HOSTING AN INTERNSHIP
The purpose of this guide is to provide employers an overview of the development of an internship program. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at spsemployer@columbia.edu.
It is important to adhere to the deadlines when offering internships, otherwise the student will not be able to take them. The deadlines are as follows:
Fall Semester Internship: Students should have an offer by the last week of August.
Spring Semester Internship: Students should have an offer by the first week of January.
Summer Semester Internship: Students should have an offer by May 1st.
