richaaaaaaaaaaa
I’m currently exploring the January intake at Columbia Business School and would really appreciate insights from current students or alumni. I’m seriously considering a career switch post-MBA, and I’m also planning to live and work in the US after graduation.
From what I’ve read, the Jan-term does not offer a traditional summer internship, and this has me a bit concerned. For someone looking to pivot careers, the internship is typically a key part of that process.
A few questions for those familiar with the program:
1. What are the pros and cons of the Jan intake compared to the August intake?
2. Is there any way to pursue internships or part-time work during the program to gain relevant experience?
3. For career switchers, has the lack of a summer internship been a major hurdle, or are there alternative paths to break into a new industry?
4. Does the Jan-term cohort have access to the same recruiting opportunities and networking resources?
Any personal experiences, advice, or perspective would be incredibly helpful!
Thanks in advance!
Hey
richaaaaaaaaaaa! This is a smart and important line of inquiry, especially since you're planning a career switch and aiming to live and work in the U.S. post-MBA. The Jan intake at CBS offers a compelling path, but it comes with nuances that should be considered carefully. So, the CBS J-Term is a 16-month accelerated MBA designed for candidates who do not need a summer internship, typically entrepreneurs, family business successors, or professionals sponsored by their companies. While J-Term students complete the same rigorous academic curriculum as August entrants and have full access to Columbia’s campus resources, the primary difference lies in the absence of a summer internship and the tighter program timeline.
1.One of the major advantages of the J-Term is that it allows you to graduate faster, and because it has fewer applicants than the August intake, the acceptance rate can be slightly higher. (You can also take a look at the 2024 Class profile:
https://academics.business.columbia.edu ... ss-profile). You also benefit from full access to clubs, electives, faculty, and the alumni network. However, the downside for career switchers is significant: the lack of a structured internship might limit traditional recruiting pathways, especially for fields like investment banking, management consulting, or corporate strategy, roles where summer internships are often conversion funnels into full-time offers.
2.That said, you can try to pursue part-time internships, project-based work, or even semester-long consulting engagements. Consider networking with people and alumni to gain insights on securing roles at startups, VC firms, or tech companies. Additionally, student-led initiatives can also offer experiential learning and resume-worthy exposure.
3.For career switchers, the key is being proactive. You’ll need to start networking and reaching out to target employers early and leverage CBS’s Career Management Center and extensive alumni network aggressively. It would take good amount of effort and determination.
4.In terms of recruiting and networking access, J-Term students do participate in most of the same events and have access to on-campus recruiting, clubs, and treks. However, timing can be tricky: for example, if a company starts internship recruiting in November and you’ve only been on campus for a month or two, you may feel less prepared. This is one of the reasons many career switchers also opt for the August intake, it provides more time to explore options, attend summer internships, and prepare for full-time recruiting.
Ultimately, whether the J-Term is right for you depends on how significant your career pivot is. If you’re moving from one role to another within the same industry, say, from software engineering to product management in tech, the J-Term might work well. But if your pivot is more dramatic, such as from technical roles into finance or consulting, you might find the lack of an internship to be a hurdle. Good luck!
If you'd like to explore this further and review your profile in more detail (GMAT score, industry experience, goals, etc.), we’d be happy to help.
Feel free to reach out.