UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
STUDENT BLOG

Trojans360 Articles
A Taste of the Town
By: Dara Udobong ‘23
This Black History Month, USG’s External Affairs Committee and BSA teamed up to provide students with a taste of the local community via the first ever restaurant crawl featuring Black-owned businesses. Starting at USC and traversing the length of South Central LA, the restaurant crawl featured three restaurants that followed a three-course dinner menu perfectly curated for the eager (and hungry) college students who embarked upon this mission.
International Students: How to apply for OPT at USC
By: Ngai Yeung ‘23
For international students who are graduating in May 2023, now’s the time to start applying for OPT if you want to stay and work in the United States after graduation. Even though I’m aware of OPT, I’d put off learning about how to actually apply for it until now because it seemed so complicated. Here’s a (hopefully) more straightforward step-by-step guide that incorporates the USC Office of International Service’s (OIS) video and website as well as outside sources.
Planning the Perfect Disney Trip (with itinerary!)
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
Looking to plan a fun Disney day this semester but don’t know where to start? With frequent price changes and complicated ticket policies, it’s hard to keep up, but as a Southern Californian, I go a couple of times each year and have created the perfect itinerary to tackle Disney if you only have one day in the parks.
Tips for Applying to a Consulting Club at USC
By: Kristen Adam ‘25
Ready to enter the world of consulting and casing? One way of preparing for a career in consulting is to join a student organization geared towards hands-on client projects. With multiple rounds of interviews and only so many open spots available for new members, it can be very nerve-wracking to go through the process of applying to a consulting club at USC. Here are 3 tips to help demystify the application process.
My Favorite USC Class (CTCS 466)
By: Hannah Skinner ‘23
What if I told you you could get college credit for watching newly released films and speaking with their filmmakers? I can’t think of a cooler opportunity. This class is movie night with added academic benefits — truly an opportunity you shouldn’t miss out on.
Career Preparation Resources @ USC
By: Ela Rybak ‘25
Whether you’re a pre-med student hoping to become a doctor or a business major set on investment banking, the job market can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Here are three tips to make navigating recruiting as painless as possible:
The Introvert’s Guide to Networking
By: Ngai Yeung ‘23
Everyone loves to talk about how important networking is, but no one ever gives you a clear answer about how to do it. As a big time introvert, this is extra frustrating because chatting doesn’t come naturally to me. So when I saw that the USC Career Center was hosting a “Networking for Introverts” workshop (bless their heart), of course, I had to check it out. Here’s what I learned at the event, along with my own experiences as a reporter moonlighting as an extrovert:
A Hidden LA Gem: The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena
By: Lanie Brice ‘24
If you’re looking to go back in time through art, you’ll probably struggle to find inspiration outside of the Getty or the LACMA, known for its once Instagram trending installation. Luckily, there’s another hidden gem museum much closer to USC if you’re looking to immerse yourself in fine art, take a walk around a gorgeous pond area, or grab a bite to eat at the outdoor cafè that is the cherry on top of the Parisian vibes. It’s called the Norton Simon Museum, and it’s located just north of us in Pasadena.
Setting realistic standards 101
By: Sydney Fiorentino ‘24
Most goals cannot be achieved overnight. While I may go to bed early one night, creating consistency and not falling back on my old habits is hard. I’m trying to implement this goal by setting a routine or schedule for myself, and being okay with not perfectly meeting my goals all the time.
How to fix your sleep schedule
By: Sydney Fioerentino ‘24
I used to be an insomniac. I couldn’t fall asleep no matter how hard I tried, and I would stay awake until 3-5 a.m. each night. My body felt tired, but my mind was lit up worrying about school. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I knew something had to give.
My First Week at USC
By: Ela Rybak ‘25
I always dreamed of being a Trojan. I know it sounds cliché, but I truly set my heart on it as a young girl growing up in Los Angeles. After moving into my apartment near campus, everything moved so fast: one second I was attending convocation in my future graduation gown, and the next, I was sitting in my first official university classes. I couldn’t believe all my hard work finally paid off and that attending USC was finally a reality!
What I’m Doing Differently This Semester
By: Kathryn Aurelio ’25
It’s that time of year again where we’re all jamming our notes app with new year's resolutions, collaging magazine clippings into a vibrant vision board, and saving TikToks of new food plans (and never clicking on them again). My Fall 2022 semester was jam-packed with extracurricular activities, an internship, and work-study jobs, and while I see a pattern of the workload repeating itself this semester, I hope to prioritize—or at least hold to the same level—my physical and mental health. This semester, I’m breaking the cycle…and I’m using this article to hold me to it.