Photo by: Columbia University Athletics
Industry Nights Draw Record Number of Student-Athletes and Alumni
11/8/2018 10:02:00 AM | General, Giving
Over 200 student-athletes and 64 employers representing 34 companies, organizations and departments attended Columbia Athletics' third annual Industry Nights this fall.
NEW YORK—Over 200 Columbia University student-athletes came to learn from and connect with 64 alumni and representatives at the third annual Columbia Athletics Industry Night series this fall. Hosted by Columbia Athletics' Office of Enrichment Services, this year's events attracted a record-high combined 34 companies, organizations, and departments which connect with the Columbia student-athlete community over the course of three nights.
Designed to provide a platform for student-athletes to learn more about their industries of interest and to connect with people working at companies across those industries, this year's Columbia Athletics Industry Nights drew an impressive crowd. Student-athletes from all four class years and each of Columbia's 31 varsity sports programs were in attendance, as well as alumni and representatives from 11 industries including business, media, sports, finance, consulting, law, science, education, tech, recruiting, and real estate. Represented organizations included A.T. Kearney, American Express, Andiamo, Avison Young, Brown Brothers Harriman, Citi, CNN, Columbia University Fellowship Programs, Columbia University Preprofessional Advising, Deloitte, Ekimetrics, Equinox, FreeWheel, Goldman Sachs, Google, HSBC, Infosys Consulting, Jet.com, Kaplan Test Prep, Lori Lustig Executive Search, Loughborough University, MassMutual, Morgan Stanley, NASA, NFL, Northwestern Mutual, Pepsi, RSR Partners, SMBC, Supreme Court of NY, Teach For America, Unilever, Vettery, and Women in ETFs.
Columbia University's proximity to companies and organizations in the greater New York City area makes the trip to campus a short and easy one for alumni and representatives in the area; many Columbia Athletics alumni are glad to give back to their alma mater in this way.
"Industry Nights are a great opportunity for employers to meet a diverse set of talented and motivated student-athletes," said Lisa Combs '15CC, who is currently a consultant at Ekimetrics and former Columbia women's golfer. "The Athletics Department's preparation for the event allowed for a high turnout of student-athletes ready for engaging discussions with employers. Coming back as an alumna adds an extra level of fun by connecting with current student-athletes as well as former classmates about how Columbia Athletics shapes life after graduation."
Alumni and student-athletes alike remarked that having career events specific to the Columbia Athletics community created a more comfortable and enjoyable environment for networking.
Sydney Groom '21CC (Women's Track & Field) noted that at many networking events, "it can be intimidating coming from practice to an event, but with Industry Nights that isn't an issue." Student-athletes are encouraged to come as they are – after class or practice, and with various levels of familiarity with the networking process.
Beto Carrillo '21CC (Men's Soccer) echoed the sentiment: "The alumni were helpful in giving me insight on their own journeys, and that helped me inch closer to figuring out what career path I'd possibly enjoy pursuing following graduation," he said. "It was especially nice because a majority of the people I spoke to were former student-athletes who understood the challenges that I myself face daily, but still found a way to excel despite the additional responsibilities that come with representing the school's various sports programs."
Columbia Athletics added several new employers to this year's lineup, including industry leaders such as NASA, Deloitte, and Google.
Dean Kowalski '13CC (Men's Basketball), a first-time participant on the alumni side and a New Business Accelerator at Google, reflected on his experience: "During my years as a Columbia student-athlete, networking events were so intimidating, I didn't know what to talk to these 'professionals' about. Of course, during this Industry Night I was on the other end, but I hope (and got the feeling) that there was an increased level of comfort knowing that the professionals were part of the Columbia Athletics community and in the student-athletes' shoes at one point."
Designed to provide a platform for student-athletes to learn more about their industries of interest and to connect with people working at companies across those industries, this year's Columbia Athletics Industry Nights drew an impressive crowd. Student-athletes from all four class years and each of Columbia's 31 varsity sports programs were in attendance, as well as alumni and representatives from 11 industries including business, media, sports, finance, consulting, law, science, education, tech, recruiting, and real estate. Represented organizations included A.T. Kearney, American Express, Andiamo, Avison Young, Brown Brothers Harriman, Citi, CNN, Columbia University Fellowship Programs, Columbia University Preprofessional Advising, Deloitte, Ekimetrics, Equinox, FreeWheel, Goldman Sachs, Google, HSBC, Infosys Consulting, Jet.com, Kaplan Test Prep, Lori Lustig Executive Search, Loughborough University, MassMutual, Morgan Stanley, NASA, NFL, Northwestern Mutual, Pepsi, RSR Partners, SMBC, Supreme Court of NY, Teach For America, Unilever, Vettery, and Women in ETFs.
Columbia University's proximity to companies and organizations in the greater New York City area makes the trip to campus a short and easy one for alumni and representatives in the area; many Columbia Athletics alumni are glad to give back to their alma mater in this way.
"Industry Nights are a great opportunity for employers to meet a diverse set of talented and motivated student-athletes," said Lisa Combs '15CC, who is currently a consultant at Ekimetrics and former Columbia women's golfer. "The Athletics Department's preparation for the event allowed for a high turnout of student-athletes ready for engaging discussions with employers. Coming back as an alumna adds an extra level of fun by connecting with current student-athletes as well as former classmates about how Columbia Athletics shapes life after graduation."
Alumni and student-athletes alike remarked that having career events specific to the Columbia Athletics community created a more comfortable and enjoyable environment for networking.
Sydney Groom '21CC (Women's Track & Field) noted that at many networking events, "it can be intimidating coming from practice to an event, but with Industry Nights that isn't an issue." Student-athletes are encouraged to come as they are – after class or practice, and with various levels of familiarity with the networking process.
Beto Carrillo '21CC (Men's Soccer) echoed the sentiment: "The alumni were helpful in giving me insight on their own journeys, and that helped me inch closer to figuring out what career path I'd possibly enjoy pursuing following graduation," he said. "It was especially nice because a majority of the people I spoke to were former student-athletes who understood the challenges that I myself face daily, but still found a way to excel despite the additional responsibilities that come with representing the school's various sports programs."
Columbia Athletics added several new employers to this year's lineup, including industry leaders such as NASA, Deloitte, and Google.
Dean Kowalski '13CC (Men's Basketball), a first-time participant on the alumni side and a New Business Accelerator at Google, reflected on his experience: "During my years as a Columbia student-athlete, networking events were so intimidating, I didn't know what to talk to these 'professionals' about. Of course, during this Industry Night I was on the other end, but I hope (and got the feeling) that there was an increased level of comfort knowing that the professionals were part of the Columbia Athletics community and in the student-athletes' shoes at one point."
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