Lionsbridge

Lionsbridge is a free three-day in-person workshop series designed to introduce Columbia first- and second-year students to the world of finance and to prepare them for undergraduate internships and post-undergraduate career opportunities.

The program will occur in person, on campus from January 14 to January 16, 2026. The application window opens Monday, October 27, 2025 and closes Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

During this program, students will be taught by an alumni expert and learn accounting, finance, and valuation concepts through lectures, group exercises, and individual financial modeling exercises. Students will also have networking opportunities with esteemed guest speakers from the Columbia finance community.

Students who participate in Lionsbridge will also:

• Attend in-person site visits to NYC-based finance firms hosted by Columbia alumni. 
• Receive an invitation to submit their resumes to a Lionsbridge Resume Book to be shared with guest speakers and Columbia alumni
• Engage in follow-on monthly lectures during the spring semester to keep their skills and finance vocabulary sharp
• Participate in career guidance check-ins
• Explore alongside a network of peers with similar career interests

Lionsbridge is a unique opportunity to explore the world of finance and sharpen your skills. This program is especially suited for students who are passionate about learning about and potentially pursuing a career in finance but have not had extensive specialized experience or training in the industry. 

Program Commitment

Lionsbridge is an immersive program designed for first- and second-year students who display motivation, professionalism, and curiosity about career development. Due to the intensive and collaborative nature of the experience, and the large waitlist of students we have had in the past,  selected participants are expected to fully commit to all aspects of the program.

Attendance at the in-person sessions in New York City from January 14 to January 16, 2026, are mandatory. Each day begins promptly at 8:45 a.m. and concludes with off-campus employer site visits hosted by alumni and industry partners in the late afternoon or early evening. Participants are also required to engage actively in group work, networking events, and discussions with alumni and employer hosts throughout the program. 

Application Process

The Lionsbridge application will go live on LionSHARE, powered by Handshake, on Monday, October 27, 2025. Applications are due by Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 11:59 pm.

To apply, you must submit:

1. Your resume (one page)
2. Your transcript`
   • Your unofficial transcript from the Columbia registrar’s office is preferred. We also accept a copy of your course schedule from SSOL. We do not accept high school transcripts. If you are a first-year student or do not have a transcript that shows all of your Columbia courses, a screenshot of your course schedule is sufficient.
3. A short answer to the following prompt in one to two paragraphs: Why are you interested in participating in the Lionsbridge program? What do you hope to learn from the experience?
   • PLEASE NOTE: We encourage students to be authentic in outlining their interest and motivation for participating in Lionsbridge. As such, highlighting your interest, commitment, and motivation for the program is essential when crafting your short statement. In short, we want to know why you want to do Lionsbridge, how this fits into your career exploration, and that you will actively participate and fulfill program requirements.
   • Please do not use AI to generate your short response to this prompt. These questions invite you to share your personal and genuine interest and motivation for participating in this program. 
   • We recommend you utilize CCE Career Counseling and Quick Questions to review your response.

For more frequently asked questions and details, please see the Lionsbridge program webpage.

By submitting this application, you consent to sharing your application materials with the Lionsbridge instructor as part of the application review process.

Timeline

• October 27, 2025 — Application Opens
• November 19, 2025 at 11:59 pm — Application Closes
• December 11, 2025 — Mandatory Orientation
• January 14–16, 2026 — Lionsbridge Program
• TBD — Follow-Up Sessions in the Spring Semester