Pre-College Instructor, Introduction to Business, Finance, and Economics (Online), Summer 2025

Job Description:

Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs for High School Students is seeking qualified candidates to develop and teach online courses during Summer ’25. 

Reporting to the Senior Director of Instruction and Curriculum for Pre-College Programs, Pre-College Instructors develop and deliver immersive non-credit courses for high-achieving high school students. They guide and supervise students when classes are in session, and write a holistic evaluation of each course participant after classes conclude. For more information on the program–including course sessions and times–please see here.

Course Description

This course focuses on the firm’s financial and economic behavior. The firm needs cash to undertake worthy investments, and the firm needs to identify investments worth undertaking. What models does the firm use to identify such investments? What sources of cash can the firm use? How do the financial markets in which this money is raised function? How does the market value the firm, its securities, and its investments? What financial instruments are available to the firm? What are the microeconomic models that best describe a firm’s behavior in such markets?

In answering these questions, the participants discuss stocks, bonds, stock markets, as well as valuation models of investments, firms, and securities. They also work with concepts like optimal investment strategies, what is revealed and what is hidden in published accounting statements, and what are some of the sources of risk. Students also acquire familiarity with the mechanics and history of the financial markets.

The course includes case studies and some sustained independent work by the participants.

Course Schedule
Summer B: July 21st to August 1st 

Class Times: 5:00pm-8:00pm EST

Please Note: Course(s) and course availability is subject to change. Dates and class times are tentative and subject to change.

Responsibilities

• Develop course content, syllabus, lesson plans, and assigned work, in accordance with Pre-College templates and regulations
• Lead and attend all class sessions
• Establish and maintain a dynamic in-class environment tailored for our high school population
• Evaluate student work and write a holistic evaluation of each participant after the course ends
• Monitor and address student concerns and inquiries (you will have around 20-24 students)
• Attend and complete all required online trainings