ABOUT business & innovations (B&I)
Gain transferable skills at the largest student business on campus. Help us close deals with clients, generate revenue, analyze data, design products, launch marketing campaigns, and develop software to sustain and promote Spectator for years to come.
revenue
The Revenue team is integral to generating over $200,000 in revenue each year, enabling Spectator to be financially independent, fund work-study programs for our student staff, and provide team and organization-wide resources. Team members grapple directly with the real-world challenges of business management from marketing sales to fundraising initiatives.
Engineering
Engineering develops Spectator’s digital products with the mission of enhancing the lives of Columbia students and Morningside Heights and West Harlem residents. Spectator’s Engineering team is an inclusive and diverse community of skilled, tech-loving staffers. Join Engineering to learn industry applications of programming, develop full-stack sites from scratch, and obtain valuable, rewarding work experience.
PRODUCT
Product is responsible for the design, strategy, and management of our portfolio of digital products. These products sit at the heart of the Columbia experience and receive over 350,000 visitors per month. At Product, you will design new features, roll out updates, and innovate the next big thing at Columbia with a group of creative and passionate people. Learn, contribute to, and master every facet of the product development process that drives innovation in the tech industry today.
ENGAGEMENT
Engagement allows Spectator to reach and understand its audience through digital strategy, marketing campaigns, and more. In short, Engagement staffers shape the public face of Spectator. Master a wide skill set including marketing skills, data analytics, newsletters, and social media by being a part of our Engagement team.
albert Tsai
Publisher, Columbia Daily Spectator | Vice President, Spectator Publishing Company
“Our Business & Innovations sections are truly the backbone of Spectator, connecting the work that Spec does with our student audience and the community. Over the years, we’ve developed an exciting portfolio of projects, ranging from the beloved Food Expo event to our newest product: the Spectator mobile app! I hope to continue facilitating an environment of innovation, collaboration and continued growth, and I cannot wait to see what’s next for B&I.”
WHAT WE’VE BEEN WORKING ON
Here are some of the recent projects Spectator’s B&I department has created for the Columbia community.
Our Homecoming 2023 Special Digital Edition is now live – designed by our Product team and built by our Engineering team, every element from the site layout to the compilation of your favorite Homecoming articles are ideated carefully and implemented precisely by our B&I teams.
Spectator’s 2025 Media Kit features new services and the most up-to-date advertising information in line with Spectator’s internal revenue goals for the year. Our Revenue team has worked to ideate new advertising services that reflect our product offerings and clients’ needs.
3. FIND YOUR FIT ( JOURNALISM > VISUAL JOURNALISM > BUSINESS & INNOVATIONS )