Professional Development and Leadership

The Professional Development and Leadership (PDL) program educates students to maximize performance and achieve their full potential to become engineering leaders. Core sessions focus on development of skills and perspectives needed to compete and succeed in a fastchanging technical climate. Topics include professional portfolio (resume, cover letter, business writing, social media presence), communication skills, leadership, ethics, life management (stress, sleep, and time management) and more. Elective sessions include improvisation, effective presentations, Python, Git/GitHub, interview preparation, and much more.

M.S. students must complete the professional development and leadership course, ENGI E4000, as a graduation requirement. Ph.D. candidates are strongly encouraged to complete ENGI E6001–6004 and should consult their program for PDL requirements. Undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in the professional development and leadership program.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP STAFF

Gabriella Lilienthal, Assistant Director
Kaitlynn Liriano, PDL Officer
Jenny Mak, Senior Associate Dean
Elizabeth Strauss, Assistant Dean
[email protected]
pdl.engineering.columbia.edu

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP CORE FACULTY

Chuck Garcia: Communication
Helio Fred Garcia: Ethics and Integrity
Sophia Hyoseon Lee: English Communication
Gabriella Lilienthal: Social Media
Jenny Mak: Resume
Elizabeth Strauss: Business Writing

COURSES

M.S. Course

ENGI E4000x and y Professional development and leadership for engineers and applied scientists
0 pts. The PDL Instructional Team.
The PDL course aims to enhance and expand Columbia Engineering graduate students' interpersonal, professional, and leadership skills, through six core sessions, covering (1) in-person communication skills; (2) resume; (3) business writing; (4) social media and the job search; (5) executive presence; and (6) academic and professional ethics and integrity. ENGI E4000 also requires (4) elective sessions to further students development based on their personal interests. Students build upon and enhance interpersonal and intrapersonal skills to further distinguish themselves in classroom and career. This course is offered at the Pass/D/Fail grading option.

Doctoral Courses

ENGI E6001x and y Professional development and leadership for first year doctoral students
0 pts. The PDL Instructional Team.
For first year doctoral students, emphasizing the skills needed for success in orienting them to Columbia and doctoral studies, including teaching and presentation skills (i.e., Microteaching, how to grade, hold office hours, conduct recitations, etc.); cultivating relationships with mentors, faculty, and colleagues; inclusivity; managing your budget; wellness; research and academic integrity and ethics.

E6002x and y Professional development and leadership for second year doctoral students
0 pts. The PDL Instructional Team.
For second year doctoral students, emphasizing the skills needed for continued success in the doctoral program, including presentation and communication skills; academic writing skills; academic conference preparation; resiliency and project management skills.

E6003x and y Professional development and leadership for third year doctoral students
0 pts. The PDL Instructional Team.
For third year doctoral students to facilitate career exploration including teaching, presentation and communication skills; public speaking and facilitation; CV and resume writing; and Getting Things Done.

E6004x and y Professional development and leadership for doctoral students: fourth year
0 pts. The PDL Instructional Team.
For fourth year doctoral students supporting job search and degree completion, including searching for job opportunities (Academia, Industry); interview preparation; creating an academic portfolio; conducting a job talk; negotiation and mediation skills.

GRADUATE CAREER PLACEMENT

Austin Cartagena, Career Placement & PDL Officer
Ryan Day, Manager
Jackie Tang, Career Placement and PDL Officer
[email protected]
careers.engineering.columbia.edu

While enrolled in a graduate program at Columbia Engineering you will also be coached by your dedicated Career Placement Officer. We look forward to working with you on your professional development and job search throughout your time at Columbia.

Applied Mathematics - Emily McCormack

Applied Physics - Emily McCormack

Biomedical Engineering - Jacqueline Kishel

Business Analytics - Michal Dar

Carbon Management - Raina Ranaghan

Chemical Engineering - Raina Ranaghan

Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics - Emily McCormack

Computer Engineering - Jennifer Lee

Computer Science - Austin Cartagena, Jackie Tang

Data Science - John Hyde

Earth and Environmental Engineering - Raina Ranaghan

Electrical Engineering - Jennifer Lee, Jackie Tang

Executive Masters in Engineering and Applied Science - Austin Cartagena, Ryan Day, Jackie Tang

Financial Engineering – Cindy Mejia

Industrial Engineering - David Fitzgerald

Management Science and Engineering - Sara Yllescas

Materials Science - Emily McCormack

Medical Physics - Emily McCormack

Mechanical Engineering - Hannah Hyat

Operations Research - David Fitzgerald

ENGLISH COMMUNICATION COURSES

M.S. Courses

ENGI E5000x, y, and s Workplace communication in English
E5001x, y, and s Professional presentation
E5002x, y, and s Professional communication in English
E5003x, y, and s Academic writing
E5009x, y, and s English communication independent studies
0 pts. Lect: 1.7. Professor Lee.
English communication proficiency is important for academic achievement and career success. In small group settings, interactions with instructor and fellow students to improve communication and writing skills. Individual tutoring sessions offered. Note: open only to Columbia Engineering master's students. Grading is Pass/D/Fail.

Ph.D. Courses

ENGI E7000x, y, and s English communication
E7001x, y, and s Professional presentation
E7002x, y, and s Advanced academic writing
E7009x, y, and s English communication independent studies
0 pts. Lect: 1.7. Professor Lee.
English communication proficiency is important for academic achievement and career success. In small group settings, interactions with instructor and fellow students to improve communication and writing skills. Individual tutoring sessions offered. Note: open only to Columbia Engineering PhD and MS to PhD track students. Grading is Pass/D/Fail.