Professionalization and Careers

The flexible design of the program attracts diverse students who complete the MA in Global Thought with enhanced research skills and a capacious knowledge of the complex processes that shape the contemporary world. 

Throughout the degree program, students receive support through Careers Without Borders, CGT’s professional development series. Events bring together current MA students with CGT advisory council members and Global Thought alumni from a wide variety of fields in order to network and think about global careers.

Careers Without Borders supplements the work of Compass, the career development center of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Through workshops, resume and career advising appointments, job fairs, and other activities and services, Compass assists students in GSAS doctoral and master’s programs in identifying, working toward, and achieving their post-graduation career goals.

Global Thought graduates pursue careers in development, nongovernment organizations, government, public policy, academia, research, and the private sector. The combination of rigorous academic research and broad intellectual range prepares them well for employment, as well as for further study in professional schools or PhD programs. Graduates and current students can search for jobs through databases listed on our professional resources page.

Internships and employment during and after your degree

You may wish to work during your degree. Below are some resources to help you in your job search. Keep in mind, however, that the MA degree is very intensive and it will be challenging to work more than 5-7 hours per week. In addition, please note that Global Thought cannot offer course credit for internships.

CGT internships

Every year, the Columbia Global Thought MA Internship Program offers enthusiastic CGT MA students the opportunity to connect with select relevant and engaging work experiences across fields such as finance and technology, research, global policy, media and journalism, international affairs, strategic communications, and more.

PROGRAM DETAILS

  • All CGT masters students have the option to apply for the Columbia Global Thought MA internships. Domestic and international CGT MA students alike are encouraged to apply.
  • These internship opportunities are limited to Global Thought masters students.
  • While CGT MA internship details depend on the circumstances and specifics of each position, most internships require a commitment of 7 to 10 hours per week through the entire school year.
  • Internships might take place on campus, in New York City, hybrid, or remote.
  • Internship opportunities and application deadlines are shared with current CGT MA students and posted on the website in the first few weeks of the school year.

Internship offerings change every year. Some past placements have been with the following institutions and organizations: Columbia Business School, Adam Tooze’s Chartbook newsletter, Columbia Global Reports at Columbia Journalism School, The Knight First Amendment Institute, Global Gateway Advisors, the Committee on Forced Migration, the Obama Foundation Scholars Program, Theorem Media, and more.

Other on-campus opportunities

There are numerous employment opportunities on campus. Some of these are only open to students with federal work-study status, while others are open to all students, including international students. For more information, visit Columbia’s Human Resources site for students. Compass, the GSAS Career Development Center, also hosts a job database for on-campus and off-campus jobs.

Employment for international students

International students are eligible for many on-campus jobs, but cannot work off-campus with a student visa. They are eligible for unpaid internships off-campus, but cannot receive compensation on a student visa (outside of University employment) or receive course credit.

Global Thought international students are eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) upon receiving their degree in May if they have completed two semesters of study in the United States. The MA in Global Thought cannot support applications for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), as the program is not compatible with federal requirements.

 

Private, Public, and Nonprofit:

Albright Stonebridge Group
Andela
APMG Nebular
Applied Intuition
Ascolta Ventures, LLC
Bergeson, LLP
British Diplomatic Services
BVR Media
Carrefour China
Cerillion Technologies
Choco
China Merchant Bank
Church World Service
Civil Aviation Authority, Singapore
Cloudberry Creative
CollegeVine
Crisp
E3G
ESCAL Communication
European Commission
Fragomen
Girl Rising
German Development Cooperation
Google
Grant Thornton LLP
Graphika, Inc.
Hangsterfer’s Laboratories
Heritage Experiential Learning School
Houlihan Lokey
HSBC
J.P. Morgan
J.S. Johnson investments
Joongaifg Ilbo
JRI America
Kukje Academy
Lumiere Education
New York Common Pantry
Nevada Assembly, Democratic Caucus
NGO Sustainability
NYSC
Office of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico (SRE)
One to World
PiLnet
Pontoka
PwC
Rabin Martin
Reflections of War Initiative
Rockefeller Foundation
Saga Education
Save the Children UK
Sia Partners
Singapore Civil Service, Maritime & Port Authority
Singapore Civil Service, Ministry of Education
Singapore Civil Service, Ministry of Finance
Singapore Civil Service, Ministry of Home Affairs
Singtel
SRI
StartUp Health
Statista
SupChina
Teach for America
Teach for Qatar
Teneo
UberEATS
UNCDF
UNDP
UNICEF
United Nations
UN Migration Agency
Waterbrook Consultants
VISA
Wondersauce
Women’s Education Project
Women’s Equality Center
World Education Services
WPP

Higher Education and Further Study:

Brown University, Graduate School
Columbia University, Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
Columbia University, Teacher’s College
Fordham, School of Law
Fulbright Program
London School of Economics and Political Science
Syracuse University, The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
Tsinghua University, School of Law
Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
University of Cambridge
University of Chicago
University of Melbourne
University of Minnesota
University of Pennsylvania, School of Sociology