I Went to the USC Career Center, Here’s How It Went

By: Ani Antonyan ‘24

Transitioning from college life to the real world can be exhilarating and 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. I question if I landed the right internship to get where I need to go, and if I'm on the right career path. However, constantly stressing about our futures can do more harm than good in the long run. Luckily, the USC Career Center is here to help USC students navigate our future and goals. Still, fully using these awesome resources can be intimidating, and it’s easy to not take advantage of them. Determined not to miss out, I booked a virtual advising appointment and visited the career center– come with me on my adventure to sort out my career and show you the resources you can take advantage of. 

When booking my advising appointment on ConnectSC, I had the option to select from career or internship advising, resume/cover letter critiquing, or mock interviews. I requested an internship advising appointment. Since this was my first time visiting the Career Center, I was afraid I would sound under qualified as I discussed my professional background and aspirations. During the appointment, though, my advisor genuinely listened to my career goals and took the time to understand my past roles and accomplishments. They reassured me that I should be proud of myself and that our appointment would help me leverage new ideas and resources to further my potential. 

Elevator Pitch

As we began our session, my advisor told me to work on drafting my “elevator pitch,” or a brief 20-30 second introduction to make a memorable first impression and showcase my key strengths. I already had an elevator pitch, but the conversation made me realize that I’d been too afraid to use it as much as should. 

Engaging in Networking and Events 

As obvious as it sounds, it’s helpful to take advantage of all of the professional and networking opportunities USC has to offer. My advisor highlighted that recruiters and employers attend these events with an explicit intention to hire students! Employers and recruiters book coffee chats to meet with students they’d like to see in their workplace. Take advantage of any Trojan Talks, Coffee Chats, Workshops, or networking events to gain exposure to your chosen industry. These allow you to meet new people, learn about new companies, build confidence, and possibly make connections that will lead to a new job! I’ve found these events are really helpful because they strengthened my networking skills while broadening my understanding of different companies and their cultures. These events allowed me to learn what I really value in an employer. Keep an eye out on Handshake and ConnectSC for the latest events. 

Another way to work toward your goal is to proactively reach out to people who are pursuing a job you’re interested in. Connect with them on LinkedIn and respectfully request a brief conversation about their experiences and position. This will teach you more about what the job entails while gaining insight into the experiences that led them to that role. As Professor Harmeling, who teaches BAEP 450 (Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship) says, “The busier and more successful someone is, the more likely they are to make time for you.” Most people will be excited to share guidance. 

Job Search

My advisor recommended I make a list of the top companies I’d like to work for. Additionally, she suggested I keep track of every application and interview I completed. Having a spreadsheet of your progress and goals will help you stay focused and proactive. If you don’t write it down, you’re likely to forget it! 

Resume Building

Since the topic of our appointment was focused on looking for internships, my advisor suggested I focus on other resume-building activities. To find these, they provided me with the 3 websites based on my career interests:

Parker Dewey: Paid, micro-internships designed for students to explore career opportunities and develop skills. This is also a great opportunity to make some extra cash!

Forage: Forage offers students free virtual work experience programs with top companies. Complete your virtual course and receive a Forage certificate that you can add to your resume!  

Paragon One: Paragon One partners with host companies to provide online experimental programs with structured training and mentorship. These programs can last a few weeks and can provide you with a unique learning experience. 

Resume Revising

Because my appointment was focused on an internship search, my advisor only briefly went over my resume. If you want help with your resume, schedule a resume advising appointment or visit their daily Drop-in Advising. These daily drop-in sessions are offered online or in person at the Career Center for quick resume critiquing. 

Students also have the option to upload their resumes to USC Smart Resume for around the clock resume critiquing for when you feel like getting your life in order at 2 a.m. VMock Smart Resume instantly provides tailored constructive feedback on your resume through the USC VMock website. Combine your VMock edits with resume review appointments to present the most polished resume to potential employers! 

In-Person Services at the Career Center 

When you walk into the Career Center (located right across from Seeds Marketplace at TCC,) there is a wall full of QR codes for different resources, such as “Interview Preparation.” You can easily scan whichever code that’s offering the advice you need.

If you need quick advice, head to the front desk for a drop-in counseling session, so long as someone is currently available. You can also schedule future appointments at the front desk if you’re having a hard time navigating the online platform.

Want a quiet, scenic place to work? The Career Center has a great array of tables where you can get some work done! 

Located in their downstairs offices, the Career Center also offers interview rooms. Students can book a private, quiet space for their virtual interviews through their reservation system. This way, even if you have a noisy roommate, you can put your best foot forward during the interview process.

Go down these stairs for their interview rooms!

I am thankful for all the amazing resources our Career Center provides. While it’s important to prepare for your career, part of self care means not overthinking the process. Feel proud of where you are now and don’t stress too much about the future. You got this! 

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