➜ Career Plans
Review the step-by-step guides to develop your professional career plan and stay on track throughout your academic year. These plans can be used as a "To-do" list or a resource guide for you to reference.
- Get to know your faculty.
- Achieve and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0.
- Explore student organizations and join any groups you're interested in.
- Read the "Get Hired!" Viterbi Career Connections Newsletter.
- Get started on your resume. Use VMOCK virtual resume review software and the resume and cover letter portion of the Toolkit to guide you. Aim for a score of at least 80%.
- Go to drop-in hours or schedule an advising appointment with a Viterbi Career Connections advisor to learn about the resources available to you.
- Review and RSVP for a professional development workshop hosted by VCC.
- Log-in toHandshake
- Upload your resume and complete your student profile.
- Check "Events" tab for employer Trojan Talks (Information Sessions).
- Attend as many as you like to explore opportunities, industries and meet recruiters. Offered both virtually and On-Campus.
- Attend the
- Explore the USC Main Career Center's resources and events.
- If you're involved in a student organization,take an active role within the organization.
- Or, work on a personal project, competition, Hackathon or other activity to build your resume.
- Update & review your resume and cover letter.
- Seek out professionals and Alumni for informational interviews and research internship opportunities.
- Join Viterbi Link to find an Alumni mentor or simply connect to ask questions about their career.
- Go to drop-in hours or schedule an advising appointment with a Viterbi Career Connections advisor to discuss your career interests and internship search.
- Attend professional development workshops hosted by VCC.
- Apply for internships on Handshake and company websites.
- Set up alerts to receive instant updates when an employer posts something that meets your interests.
- Attend the
- Update your LinkedIn profile
- Job shadow, volunteer, or explore research in areas related to your career interests.
- Become an officer in a student organization and/or work on a personal project.
- Participate in an internship or co-op during the Fall, Spring or Summer semester.
- Network with faculty, staff, employers, and peers.
- Go to drop-in hours or schedule an advising appointment with a Viterbi Career Connections advisor to discuss your career goals and full time opportunities.
- Attend professional development workshops hosted by VCC.
- Apply for internships and full time roles on Handshake
- Develop a list of professional references.
- Participate in Mock Interviews.
- Consider applying to the Viterbi Progressive Degree Program
- Go to drop-in hours or schedule an advising appointment with a Viterbi Career Connections advisor to discuss job search strategy.
- Attend professional development workshops hosted by VCC.
- Request letters of recommendation from faculty.
- Apply for full time roles on Handshake
- Participate in On-Campus interviews.
- Join a state or national professional organization.
- Complete the First Destination Survey.
- Attend the offer evaluation and negotiation professional development workshop hosted by VCC.
- Become a Mentor on Viterbi Link
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0+
- Apply in the fall semester for summer internships
- Go to drop-in hours or schedule an advising appointment with a Viterbi Career Connections advisor to learn about the resources available to you.
- Review and RSVP for a professional development workshop hosted by VCC.
- Log-in to Handshake, upload your resume and complete your student profile to 100%.
- Complete the Experience Viterbi App Career Pathways.
- Get started on your resume. Use VMOCK virtual resume review software and the resume and cover letter portion of the Toolkit to guide you. Aim for a score of at least 80%.
- Attend the
- Explore the USC Main Career Center's resources and events.
- Join a student organization and/or professional association.
- Attend professional conferences.
- Work on career-related projects.
- Attend Networking and Job Search professional development workshops hosted by VCC.
- Participate in mock interviews and On-Campus interviews.
- Explore Viterbi Career Connections' Career Events to learn more about opportunities.
- Read both VASE and VCC "Get Hired" newsletters for opportunities.
- Network with employers, faculty, staff, and peers.
- Join Viterbi Link to find an Alumni mentor or simply connect to ask questions about their career.
- Develop a list of professional references.
- Take on a leadership position within a student organization.
- Go to drop-in hours or schedule an advising appointment with a Viterbi Career Connections advisor to discuss your job search strategy.
- Log-in toHandshake, update your profile and resume. Apply for full-time jobs through Handshake and company websites in the fall semester.
- Attend the Fall and Spring
- Request letters of recommendation from faculty.
- Attend the offer evaluation and negotiation professional development workshop hosted by VCC.
- Secure OPT 90 days prior to graduation, if applicable.
- Complete the First Destination Survey.
- Become a mentor on Viterbi Link.
- Research companies hiring international students through the H1b Employer Data Hub, international job board Interstride and the employer list published prior to each
Expo. - Visit the Office of International Services (OIS) who will help process Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
- CPT and OPT are for international students who have completed at least one academic year in the U.S.
- CPT is work authorization that allows international students to participate before graduation in paid off-campus internships in their field of study.
- OPT used primarily after graduation, provides international students the ability to gain employment experience in their field of study. Students should apply 90 days prior to graduation.
- Visit the CPT page to learn about academic credit for your internship.
- Attend OIS workshops and programs to connect with other international students and improve your U.S. cultural proficiency and English language skills.
- Log-in to Handshake
- Upload your resume and complete your student profile.
- Read and agree to the On-Campus recruitment agreement.
- Check "Events" tab for employer Trojan Talks (Information Sessions).
- Attend as many as you like to explore opportunities, industries and meet recruiters. Offered both virtually and On-Campus.
- Utilize and complete the Experience Viterbi App Career Pathways related to Ph.D. students.
- Get started on your resume. UseVMOCKvirtual resume review software and theresume and cover letteron the Job & Internship Search toolkit to guide you. Aim for a score of at least 80%.
- Participate todrop-in hours or schedule an advising appointmentwith a Viterbi Career Connections advisor to learn how to tailor your resume or CV depending on your career goals.
- Attend Networking and Job Searchprofessional development workshopshosted by VCC.
- Explore Viterbi Career Connections recruiting and networking events to explore opportunities and connect with employers.
- Read both VASE and VCC Get Hired Newsletters for opportunities and events.
- Attend the
- Explore theUSC Main Career Center's resources and events.
- Participate inmock interviews and On-Campus interviews.
- Explore and consider opportunities in academia and industry.
- Apply in thefall semester forsummer internships.
- Present and attend professional conferences in your industry or areas of career interest.
- Networkwith employers, faculty, staff, and peers.
- JoinViterbi Linkto find an Alumni mentor or simply connect to ask questions about their career.
- Develop a list of professional references and request letters of recommendation from faculty
- Go to drop-in hours or schedule an advising appointment with a Viterbi Career Connections advisor to finalize.
- Apply for full time roles onHandshake and other job boards.
- Attend job search and and offer negotiationprofessional development workshopshosted by VCC.
- Meet with faculty to discuss career goals and referrals
- Complete the First Destination Survey.
- Become a Mentor on Viterbi Link.
- Research companies hiring international students through the H1b Employer Data Hub, international job board Interstride and the employer list published prior to each Expo.
- Visit the Office of International Services (OIS) who help process Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
- PhD students registered in dissertation units are eligible to complete full time CPT for up to a total of 12 months.
- PhD students need to apply for OPT at least 90 days prior to graduation.
- Visit the CPT page to learn about academic credit for your internship.
- Attend OIS workshops and programs to connect with other international students and improve your U.S. cultural proficiency and English language skills.
Published on December 23rd, 2019
Last updated on May 20th, 2024
