Recruiting Policies & Guidelines

Employers recruiting Columbia Engineering students are expected to give at least two weeks from the date a written offer is received for students to accept or decline.

Exploding offers—with deadlines of 24–48 hours—are prohibited under Columbia Engineering’s employer policies and NACE-aligned guidelines.

Students are expected to honor commitments to interviews and events, communicate promptly with employers, and avoid reneging on accepted offers whenever possible.

If you experience undue pressure, unclear timelines, or concerns about an offer, contact your Career Placement Officer or the Graduate Career Placement team.

Columbia Engineering expects employers to follow the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Principles for Ethical Professional Practice and to comply with university anti-discrimination and harassment policies during recruiting.

If you encounter a policy concern, a questionable employer practice, or a potential employment scam, contact your Career Placement Officer or the Graduate Career Placement office to discuss next steps.