The Low Down

Recently we told you all about Winifred Edgerton Merrill, the first woman to receive a degree from Columbia University. In honor of Women's History Month, we'd like to celebrate a few Columbia women who were first graduates of their respective Schools or who took the lead in founding some of Columbia's undergraduate and professional Schools. Read on for a short list of the Columbia women who made academic history.

Read on for the latest news, events, and ideas from your alumni community.

By Caroline Ceniza-Levine '93BC of the Columbia Career Coaches Network
This article originally appeared on Forbes and SixFigureStart.com

In the excitement of getting an offer, many smart, talented professionals ignore warning signs that a bad career move may be up ahead. A smart, talented professional (in HR no less) made a job switch that she regrets, having overlooked five bright red flags that were made apparent during the hiring process. This new job came with a significant title and salary bump, and she rationalized that this potentially bad career move was actually a good move, that she could manage through the worrisome items once she joined. This absolutely could be true — roles, colleagues, and company strategy change over time. But if you are considering a job where doubts have already surfaced, go in with your eyes wide open. Here are five warning signs that a potential new job is a bad career move.

Read on for the latest from your Columbia alumni community.

Alumna Lynn Berger '84TC, '90TC, of the Columbia Career Coaches Network, offers her top tips on stress relief for the office and home. 

Here's the latest from your Columbia alumni community:

On February 9-11, 2018, more than 1,000 Columbia alumnae, faculty, students, and staff gathered on the Morningside campus for She Opened the Door, the first University-wide women's conference.

"She Opened the Door" is a tribute to Winifred Edgerton Merrill, the first woman to receive a degree from University, opening the door for women to gain admission to Columbia's graduate and professional Schools at a time when co-education for women was under heavy debate. 

Whether you were unable to attend the conference, or would like to relive the inspiring moments from the weekend, check out the powerful She Opened the Door photos here, and keynotes and session videos below:

On the podcast Why CBS, host Fahad Ahmed '17BUS talks to students, faculty, and alumni about their experiences before, during, and after Columbia Business School. Launched in the fall of 2017, it is the new and official podcast of the Business School.

By Caroline Ceniza-Levine '93BC of the Columbia Career Coaches Network
This article originally appeared on Forbes and SixFigureStart.com

I was leading a career-planning workshop for senior executives, which of course includes talk of the ideal professional network. One of the participants dared to say he didn't return unsolicited calls from recruiters. Seriously? Recruiters are definitely people you need to have in your professional network. Recruiters offer a critical window into the market. Even when you're not looking, you want to understand the level of interest in what you do (what is your marketability?), the compensation for your role (what is your market value?), and the typical scope of responsibility, budget, and/or size of team that accompany your level (are you progressing at, above, or below your peers?). Recruiters are just one type of contact you should know. Here are nine more people you need to have in your professional network.

Here's the latest from your Columbia alumni community.