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Undergraduate Career Development

Frequently Asked Questions


 BUSINESS STUDENTS' FAQs:                

Where is the Career Center and when is it open?
The Career Center is located on the 6th floor of the H. William Close (BA) Building.
Fall and Spring Semester Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Maymester and Summer Hours:  Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
To speak with a staff member, please visit during On Call Hours (M-F, 1-4 pm).

What can I do with a degree in Business?
Career decision-making takes self reflection and an understanding of the job market.  Explore your preferences through assessment and experience such as job shadowing and internships.  Links on this Web site will provide you with an overview of jobs and careers within your major, as well as an idea of who recruits graduates of the Moore School of Business.

How can I declare or change my major?
The Career Center does not provide academic advising or answer questions about curriculum, but you may find it helpful to speak with a career counselor to discuss your options within Business and clarify your preferences. 

If you are enrolled in another college or school on the Columbia campus, you must apply to the Business School.  During advisement, an academic advisor can assist you with the process of declaring a Business major and choosing appropriate courses.  Students also must apply to the competitive International Business major and meet certain criteria for selection.

How do I find an internship?
Finding an internship is much like finding a job - you must plan ahead and use more than one strategy.  Take advantage of the many print and online resources maintained by the Career Center that help students identify internship opportunities.  Network with faculty, friends, alumni, and other professionals, and try to attend all events such as career fairs that provide the opportunity to meet employers recruiting interns. 

It is important to start your internship search well in advance of when you wish to complete the internship.  Screening processes start early (i.e., the previous fall semester for some summer internship programs).

If I do an internship, can I get academic credit?
In many cases, yes.  Your major academic department will handle the process.  Visit Earning Academic Credit for Internships, scroll to "Business," and click on your major for the appropriate individual to contact.  Although not required for most Business majors, internships are strongly recommended and heavily considered by many employers.

What is JobMate?
JobMate is an online integrated job search resource center that allows students to search for jobs, internships, and employers; post resumes; view and apply for on-campus interviewing opportunities; and have access to employer and Career Center events.  Students and alumni have pre-paid access to these services and can get connected through a simple 1-step process.

How can I make the best use of my JobMate account?
Review the Career Center's Student User Guide for instructions on navigating JobMate.  You will need to have your resume approved by the Career Center in order to obtain full access to all the features described in this guide.

When should I start my full-time job search?
To maximize your opportunities, students seeking employment immediately after graduation should begin the job search one semester before their final semester (i.e., fall semester for May graduates).  65% of employers recruit upcoming graduates (both December and May grads) in the fall.

What kind of salary can I expect when I am hired?
The Career Center provides a variety of information on salary and salary negotiation, including an annual employment survey that features current salary data on Moore School of Business graduates.  Visit the Career Center Library for additional resources.

I'd like to pursue an MBA. When can I apply to graduate school?
Although there are exceptions, most MBA programs strongly recommend, if not require, that applicants have several years of work experience following completion of their undergraduate degree.  An MBA is most likely to improve your marketability to prospective employers when it is combined with professional work experience.

Will the Career Center continue to assist me after graduation?
Yes. For up to a semester after you complete your degree (summer months count as that semester for May graduates), you are treated as a student. After that point, graduates are considered alumni and are charged for Career Center services based on alumni rates.

Still have questions?  
Contact Rebecca Cody, Career Center liaison to the Moore School of Business.