For Columbia Business School students, it is certainly possible. While the event was slightly smaller than last year, Gina Resnick, Director of Career Services, notes that it was larger than the one held in 1999 and many of the companies that came in 2000 are either no longer hiring or no longer in business. From a personal perspective, it was very encouraging to meet with so many representatives from Silicon Alley. I made the trip to Philadelphia to attend Wharton s technology career event and was disappointed to find only thirteen companies in attendance, and a number of them were not recruiting for positions in this particular area. The Columbia event included companies from a wide range of industries.
Positions are available in consulting, finance, marketing, strategy, venture capital and more.
While there is obviously a tightening in the marketplace, there are still opportunities available in media and technology. First-year students interested in technology and working on the West Coast will have the opportunity next year to sign up for the Silicon Valley trip held over winter break. Thirty Silicon Valley companies attended a networking breakfast held in January. Given that technology and media companies tend not to have a formal recruiting process, it is critical for students to network with individuals from these companies as much as possible.