First-Year Experience

• Your first year is a great time to meet new people. Join a student club and get to know other students with similar interests.
• Follow our social media channels and claim your Citymail email to stay up to date with upcoming events
• Find an upperclass mentor through our Student Success Guide program. Your SSG mentor can help you navigate CCNY and the Colin Powell School. Contact Cynthia Gutierrez, Director of Mentoring and Alumni Relations, at cgutierrez@ccny.cuny.edu.
• Get familiar with the majors at CPS: Anthropology and Interdisciplinary Programs, Economics and Business, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology.
• New students are encouraged to join WELCOME, a first-year experience program designed to help students transition into college. Selected students enroll in three foundational courses alongside a cohort of 25 peers, benefit from dedicated advising, peer mentorship, and additional student support. Plus, all students who enroll receive a $90 MetroCard! Make sure to ask your academic advisor on how to enroll in WELCOME when you register for classes.

• Take a diverse range of courses that introduce you to the many career options available to you.
• Start your career building process: connect with the Office of Student Success and their many available resources

Explore and apply to our paid internships and fellowships.

• Join a fellowship program: gain first-hand experience and in-depth knowledge in an area of your interest!
• Expand your network: take advantage of all the events and resources available at the school
• Conduct informational interviews with faculty and alumni to learn more about their career paths. After informational interviews, write down pros and cons of different careers and prioritize the ones that aligns with your passion and interests. Remember, you are more likely to succeed if you love what you are doing!
• Take a leadership role in a student organization.
• If you have completed your major requirements by now, search for minors that align with your interests and spend your available credits wisely.

• Attend a series of mock job interviews. This process helps you experience a professional interview environment and get to know sample questions that most interviewers ask.
• Make sure your resume is up-to-date and reflects all the skills and experiences that you’ve had. Refer to our Career Handbook for guidance.
• Do your research! Before writing your cover letters, learn more about the organization and the work they do.