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Sessions

The PDL Team offers a variety of sessions throughout the year for the Columbia Engineering community. Please find more information about our specific topics, including but not limited to the below:

Core Sessions

  • Professional Writing
    Elizabeth Strauss
    Elizabeth Strauss, Associate Dean of Engineering Student Affairs

    Master the art of effective professional written communication through cover letters, email etiquette, and LinkedIn outreach; learn strategies to establish and maintain contact with your professional network that serves you in the long term.

    Course Overview

    • What’s in it for you? Mastering professional writing can set you apart in the workplace, demonstrating your attention to detail and communication expertise.

    Key Takeaways

    • Learn how to articulate your thoughts clearly and concisely, enhancing your ability to convey ideas effectively.
    • Receive personalized insights to strengthen your writing in specific contexts, such as emails and LinkedIn outreaches to potential connections.

    PDL Assignment

    • Submit drafts of a cold outreach LinkedIn message and an email on Canvas, and receive personalized feedback from the PDL team!

    Tools & Resources Featured

    • LinkedIn
    • Handshake
    • Grammarly

    Don’t just take our word for it!

    • “Writing is such an evolving concept throughout our lives and careers that I appreciated this course a lot! Being able to communicate effectively is an art, and each time I take a course like this, I learn something new or reinforce something I had learned but forgotten.”
    • “I learned how different communication is in the United States when compared to my home country. Really was an eye opener!”
    • “I always assumed cover letters were ancient history and had never created one. But it was a shocking and truth-revealing moment to see what a cover letter actually meant. Also, I was so happy to confirm that some of my email etiquette was adequate, but I realized that I have some bad habits that I could work on.”
  • Ethics & Integrity
    Fred Garcia
    Fred Garcia, Instructor, Professional Development and Leadership

    Develop your ethical orientation to demonstrate academic and professional integrity.

    Course Overview

    • What’s in it for you? Learn how to strengthen your professional reputation, stand out to future employers with your leadership skills, and avoid academic and professional pitfalls.

    Key Takeaways

    • Learn to develop your own guiding principles on right and wrong, what to do when duties conflict, and how to continue developing your ethical grounding.

    PDL Assignment

    • Test your knowledge by completing the Ethics and Integrity quiz in your ENGI4000 Section in Canvas.

    Don’t just take our word for it!

    • “Professor Garcia's definition of ethics and how we should ethically proceed in the program and in our careers was impactful.”
    • “This session really emphasized a newfound priority in my job search. When it comes to applying and looking to work for these large corporations, it is very important to see how upper management are using their influences towards society. I always found work culture to be important; however, I have found myself digging deeper into the history of companies I am applying to because I want to confirm they align with my values if it is a company I am looking to grow and climb the ladder of management.”
    • “It was a great experience to truly understand the Columbia Engineering School's motto: "Engineering for Humanity". The session focused on why we should develop the skills and technology to help people and make society better for future generations.”
  • Communication
    Chuck Garcia
    Chuck Garcia, Instructor, Professional Development and Leadership

    Strong communication skills are highly valued in the engineering field and can open doors to leadership roles and career growth.

    Course Overview

    • What’s in it for you? Augment your in-person communication skills to effectively convey who you are, what you do, and what value you bring to the table. Join us in learning how to inspire, persuade, and provoke change everywhere you are.

    Key Takeaways

    • Develop confidence in delivering impactful presentations, interviews, proposals and reports.

    PDL Assignment

    • Practice communication about yourself using the Elevator Pitch activity in VMock.

    Tools & Resources Featured

    Don’t just take our word for it!

    • “Throughout my undergrad experience, I realized a need to improve my communication skills. Chuck quantified its importance with polls and examples, in addition to many helpful tips to execute.”
    • “Understanding how your presence when walking into a room is interpreted, and how filler words and other speaking habits shape a listener's perception.”
    • “The presenter was fantastic - time flew by. I learned to always be confident and present yourself well.”
       
  • Engineer Your Resume
    Jenny Mak
    Jenny Mak, Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Student Affairs

    Prepare your US professional resume to compete successfully in the job market or academia!

    Course Overview

    • What’s in it for you? Learn how to tailor your resume for different job opportunities, discover what employers really want to see, and get expert tips to make your application shine.

    Key Takeaways

    • Walk away with a stronger resume that opens doors!

    PDL Assignment

    • Put your skills to the test by uploading your resume to the VMock Resume tool to receive immediate feedback for improvement.

    Tools & Resources Featured

    Don’t just take our word for it!

    • "As an international student, it enabled me to understand the entire application process in the United States, as well as the various skills and abilities required."
    • "I was always intimidated by working on my resume, but Dean Mak's resume session definitely provided abundant information on how to utilize all the tools available to make it easy and professional."
    • "I learned a lot and feel confident I know how to tailor my resume to the jobs that I am pursuing."
  • Engineer Your Job Search
    Ryan Day
    Ryan Day, Director, Graduate Career Placement and Professional Development and Leadership

    Gain valuable insights from Columbia Engineering's very own Graduate Career Placement team into what employers are looking for in top engineering candidates.

    Course Overview

    • What’s in it for you? Leverage Columbia’s vast resources, including your Career Placement Officer (CPO), Columbia Engineering Career Connect (VMock), employer and alumni contacts, and our suite of AI career tools to launch your professional career.

    Key Takeaways

    • Discover practical ways to expand your professional connections and make your network work for you.
    • Discover the tools you'll need to tailor your professional brand to catch recruiters' attention.
    Austin Cartagena
    Austin Cartagena, Assistant Director, Graduate Career Placement

    PDL Assignment

    • Use the Aspire Tool in VMock to improve your LinkedIn!

    Tools & Resources Featured

    • Handshake
    • VMock
    • LinkedIn
    • 1:1 CPO Advising

    Don’t just take our word for it!

    • “The insight that networking is not as scary as I thought. It can be broken down into several specific steps such as doing research, preparing my elevator pitch, etc. This session makes me less stressed and better understand how to start reaching out.”
    • “Tips on the American job market and expectations from employers”
    • “Network with a purpose. Have your end goal in mind, but recognize that networking is a marathon, not a sprint.”

       

Meet the PDL Team

Elizabeth Strauss

Associate Dean of Engineering Student Affairs

Ryan Day

Director, Graduate Career Placement and Professional Development & Leadership

Jenny Mak

Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Student Affairs; Adjunct Professor

About the PDL Team