Columbia Students
SSL (Summer Student Leaders) Application
- The Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE) is looking for graduate and undergraduate students to mentor, lead, and advise high school students this summer. This paid opportunity features an opportunity to assist SEAS faculty in instruction in subjects such as computer science, and robotics. The SSL position is a paid position consisting of 35 hours per week. The hourly rate is $22.50. Employment commitment runs from June 23 to August 20. Employment will begin with a week and a half of training to prepare for students arriving on July 7. SSLs are expected to work full-time hours while the program runs from July 7– August 15, weekdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The employment period will end on August 20, 2025.
SSLs serve as TAs in faculty-led classes and instructors for the electives. The SSL position is a remarkable opportunity to gain work experience alongside Columbia faculty and work with high school students. Learn more and apply here!
- Engineering the Next Generation (E.N.G.) is a selective program that runs for six weeks over the summer and includes both lab work and supplemental programming to develop high school students’ academic and professional skills. Students gain practical research experience, exposure to lab culture, new skills, and multi-level mentorship. Undergraduate summer researchers contribute to college and career preparation workshops. The application date is TBD!
- Engineering Speaks is a program where Columbia faculty and students visit local schools and share their “life story” and explain their personal path, including passions, education, current work, etc. If you would like to participate in Engineering Speaks, please email [email protected]
- Inside Engineering is a program where school groups are invited to visit Columbia labs and Columbia faculty and students show K-12 students lab equipment, workspaces, and engineers working on high-level problems. If you would like to participate in Inside Engineering, please email [email protected]
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) is a joint Materials Research Center program at Columbia University and City College of NY (CCNY) that supports outstanding undergraduates as Summer Research Fellows each year. During the program, all REU students will also be involved in workshops, visits to local industry, recreational activities, a symposium of presentations by students, and other activities. It will include training in: laboratory practices and safety; shared materials characterization tools; and scientific writing/presentations. Students attend a weekly research seminar series by Columbia, CCNY and ASRC faculty, and present results at a daylong symposium at the end of the program. The application date is TBD!
The Outreach Programs Office supports Columbia students who volunteer their time, passion, and content knowledge to inspire young STEM learners in the local neighborhood. We train undergraduate and graduate students to be effective communicators, mentors, and educators.
We also advise student groups with outreach and education as their core mission; we connect groups with local schools and educators; and we provide physical and financial support for existing groups’ outreach activities and events.
To engage busy Columbia students, Outreach Programs offers one-time events for those not able to make a regular commitment, as well as ongoing programming for those who want to develop a stronger bond with young students.
To learn more about the outreach programs and get involved, visit our program page.
Volunteer Development
Through a process-based approach, participants will explore an intellectual framework for research mentoring, have opportunities for reflection on mentoring skills, and a forum to solve mentoring dilemmas and share strategies for success.
The research mentor training workshop may include the following competencies:
- Maintaining effective communication
- Establishing expectations
- Assessing understanding
- Addressing equity and inclusion
- Promoting professional development
- Fostering independence
The Protection of Minors training is an online module provided by Columbia University Human Resources that all CU affiliates must complete if they are interacting with children under the age of 18. All volunteers working in an Engineering Outreach program or student group need to complete this training before engaging with children. Protection of Minors certifications last for 2 years from the date of completion.
PoM trainings can be done in-person with the Engineering Outreach office and usually take about 30 minutes to complete. The Engineering Outreach office can schedule group and individual trainings throughout the year. Email [email protected] to schedule a time to complete the training.
Volunteers who are entering K-12 schools on a regular basis (attending a school at least three times in a year) need to go through an additional layer of clearance before engaging in service. Regular school-based volunteers must complete fingerprinting with the NYC Department of Education. Fingerprint clearance remains valid indefinitely and only needs to be completed once.
Outreach Programs arranges an on-campus fingerprinting session at least once a year.