During my sophomore year, I came across an Instagram post from a friend. She tagged an agency called InternQueen, and as I scrolled through her page, I was in awe of the cool brands she posted about and the new products she was surrounded by. I had never considered becoming a brand ambassador before because I was scared to post advertisements on my personal Instagram account, but after completing 6 different brand ambassador programs, I’ve come to love the job! This is why I’m a brand ambassador and how you can become one too.

Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. Graduating, starting a “big girl job,” and the pressures of building three to five years of work experience into a shot at “entry-level” positions is ever tumultuous and fast approaching. As a PR student in Annenberg, it’s been ingrained in me by professors, upperclassmen, and LinkedIn culture that each student, on average, completes six internships throughout their studies at USC before they graduate. I think this toxic mindset of completing fall/spring/summer internship cycles year after year to merely make progress towards this “six” number only backs students into a corner of doing work they aren’t passionate about.

As my time in college is coming to an end, questions about my future are being launched my way from all angles. From every family gathering to casual meetings with friends, the question, “So… what are you going to do post-grad?” has been looming over me like a shadow. My honest answer of, “I do not know, but I’ll figure it out,” never quite satisfies people.

USC’s Career Center hosts several career fairs throughout the academic year for undergraduate students, graduate students, and even alumni. In February, the Career Center will host a “general career fair” which will feature nearly 100 employers hiring for internship, part-time, and full-time positions. The benefits of attending any of the Career Center’s fairs are vast; I’m most excited to meet face-to-face with recruiters, network with industry professionals, and learn about opportunities and companies I might not have discovered otherwise.

Finding a summer internship can be a very overwhelming process, especially given the difficult job market for various industries. However, as USC students, we have so many networking opportunities that help make this process a little bit easier. 

Before I started working at the Career Center in my sophomore year, I assumed USC’s career services were limited to their in-person advising appointments and online job boards. If you’re unfamiliar with the general or school-based career centers, you might be unaware of just how many free resources USC offers to help you prepare for a successful career.

It’s never too late to find an on-campus job. Trust me, I didn’t hear back from my work-study job until Thanksgiving break of my sophomore year. Over the course of three months, I had applied to dozens of on-campus jobs to no avail. Between midterms and holiday stress, I was discouraged and defeated. I was convinced I wouldn’t find a job at all that year if I hadn’t secured one already. Out of the blue, I landed an interview at the USC Career Center. Two years later, I was promoted to Lead Student Engagement Intern. 

“You should be doing coffee chats!” –– everyone, as soon as you enter college.

Everyone is a big advocate for doing coffee chats, but in my experience, nobody ever tells you how to go about doing coffee chats or even what a coffee chat is supposed to be. If you’ve run into this same predicament, this guide is for you.

Imagine holding a magnifying glass to a beautiful painting, revealing its vibrant colors, hidden stories, and tiny brushstrokes. That’s the role of a tour guide. But instead of a painting, the focus is the beautiful USC campus. Tour guides don’t just show locations, they ensure that every prospective student and their family experiences the passion of USC through storytelling and connection. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider becoming a Student Ambassador (Tour Guide) at USC.

A new semester means new ways to get involved with one (or many) of USC’s numerous student organizations. A walk down Trousdale during the semesterly Involvement Fair highlights how there is no shortage of opportunities. While there are many social clubs––clubs that don’t require an application to be accepted––there are an equal number of pre-professional and application based clubs.

By: Ani Antonyan ‘24

Transitioning from college life to the real world is exhilarating yet terrifying. It's hard not to think about your future— especially as graduation approaches. As the semesters fly by, I catch myself pondering whether I'm prepared for what’s ahead. Luckily, the USC Career Center is here to help USC students navigate our future and goals. Come with me on my adventure to sort out my career and show you the resources you can take advantage of.

By: Nathan Kim’24

Medical schools want you to gain clinical experience before committing to medical school. [While full-time] jobs may not be the most feasible during college, here are some likely options for college clinical experience!