Viterbi Career & Internship Expo

REGISTRATION OPEN!

Trojan Talk Registration:

• Register on Viterbi Career Gateway
• RSVP for the event* you wish to attend

Demo's Registration:

• Register on Viterbi Career Gateway
• RSVP for the event* you wish to attend

Viterbi Career & Internship Fair:

• Registration is not required, but it is recommended that you review the participating employer list by looking at the Viterbi Career Gateway events page.
  • Login to Viterbi Career Gateway>>Go to "Events" >>Click Type, select Career Fair>>See employers attending
  • Filter by employers looking to hire students with your academic profile.

*Note: Events are visible on Gateway based on your profile information. Employers select the student profiles (major, degree level, sponsorship requirements, etc.) that they would like to invite to their hosted events based on the positions they are looking to fill. Please only RSVP for events that are a match for your profile.

Prepare:

• Review the Prepare tab.
• Dress at least one step above how you would if you were an employee at the organization(s) you plan to visit. Many students will wear suits or button-down shirts/blouses.
• Bring several printed copies of your resume.
• Recruiters report that their biggest concern with students at the career fair is that students meet them without researching their company or openings. If you plan to visit an employer, each recruiter recommends that you have:
  • A basic understanding of their company mission, values, and work - An internet search of the company will help obtain this information. They will have information on their website under the "About us" section.
  • A basic understanding of the company's opportunities - You can find this on each organization's careers page.
  • Tip: Take notes with you to the Career Fair to refresh your memory while you wait to speak to a recruiter, or search these things on your phone while you wait.

Fair Strategy:

• Review the Employer List and determine which booths you would like to visit.
  • Only visit booths that match your profile (degree level, major, sponsorship requirements, etc.). You are better served by visiting booths that match your profile because it gives you more time to speak to recruiters that may be interested in hiring you.
• Prepare for long queues and visit booths with shorter lines first.
• Know what the organization does and which positions you would like to apply for.
  • Tip: Rank your employer list by most interested to least interested and then create a strategy where you can visit a few from the bottom of the list to practice. This will allow you to practice your elevator pitch and become comfortable before speaking to your top employers. It is also important to consider how much time you will have during the event to make sure you strategize that you have enough time to both practice and speak to your top employers.
  • Apply to positions before you meet with recruiters, then you can give them your resume and name to look you up in their Applicant Tracking System and see where your application is/contact you for follow-up.

Speaking to Recruiters:

• Deliver your elevator pitch as you start a conversation instead of a monologue. This allows the recruiter to ask questions about your skills and experience.
  • Tip: Ask the recruiters about themselves too! A conversation at a career fair does not have to be only about recruiting. Having a good conversation is a networking strategy and can make you stand out and help them remember you when you follow up.
• Articulate how your skills/experience are a match for the position(s) they are hiring.
• Ask questions that will give you further insights into how you can become a top candidate.
• Take notes during the conversation so that you can refer back after the event.
• Ask the recruiter their preferred method to follow up after the event. (i.e., direct email, LinkedIn connection, meet-up, etc.). Do not assume anything and always ask the recruiter the best way to follow-up.

After the Fair:

• Remember, the Career Fair is an opportunity to meet employers, but this should be the beginning of the conversation, not the end. Continue to follow up and set up meetings or calls with recruiters or engineers you spoke to. Ask about other events or activities they may be attending, and if you can meet them again. 
• Connect with recruiters you met based on their preferred method within 24-48 hours. Include specifics from your conversation to remind them of who you are because they will meet many students at the fair and thank them for the information provided.
  • Example: I enjoyed meeting you at the USC Viterbi Career Fair yesterday! I was wearing the purple blouse, and we discussed our mutual love of League of Legends. I am very interested in your data science intern opportunity. 
• Prepare your application materials and apply for open positions.
• Connect with additional organization representatives on Viterbi Link, Trojan Network, and LinkedIn.

What companies will be attending Expo?

Review the participating employer list by looking at the Employers section of the Viterbi Expo app guide, or by going to the Gateway events page.

How can I prepare for Expo?

• Know what organizations are attending each of the Expo days.
• Review the Job & Internship Tool Kit for tips on crafting your resume and networking.
• Prepare a brief introduction (elevator pitch) when meeting with a recruiter.
• Arrive in professional attire (preferred), and be ready to talk about your key skills and experiences that relate to the position(s) you're interested in.
• Research and view each employer's profile. To make the most of the event, it is recommended that you choose to speak to employers who only recruit for your demographic. 

What is the purpose of the Expo?

The Expo helps students to not only land interviews for jobs and internships but also to:

• Explore less familiar employers and opportunities
• Learn about the wide range of company cultures
• Network with employers
• Articulate skills and interests in a professional recruiting setting

Where are the Expo activities located?

• Career & Internship Fair: Epstein Family Plaza
• Trojan Talks: Zoom and On-Campus
• Demo's: On-Campus

What is the difference between a Trojan Talk and a Demo?

Trojan Talks are 45-minute presentations hosted by employers to give you more information about them and their organization. They may collect resumes or share openings. Can be virtual or in-person.

Demo's are 45-minute presentations where an employer showcases a product or service they offer and answers student questions in a group setting. They may collect resumes. Are in-person on campus. 

How can I RSVP for Expo activities such as Trojan Talks or Meet & Greets?

Students can RSVP for events via Viterbi Career Gateway. 

How many activities can I RSVP to?

Each student can RSVP for two Expo events, not including the Career & Internship Fair (no RSVP is required for the fair). Please RSVP only for the events that you will attend. RSVPing for events you do not plan to attend limits access to fellow Viterbi students.

Is there a waitlist for Expo activities?

Yes. The waitlist is capped at 50 students.

Can I give my RSVP to a friend?

No. Spaces are non-transferable to keep reservations fair and equitable to all students.

What is the cancellation policy if I can no longer attend?

All cancellations must be made in writing to vcareers@usc.edu at least 48 business hours in advance of the event. Any cancellations after that time will be considered a no-show. Your Viterbi Career Gateway account will be flagged as having a no-show for this event. If you accumulate additional no-shows, you may lose the privilege of RSVPing for future events with limited spaces.

How can I connect with employers beyond the Expo?

Viterbi Career Connections offers employer engagement opportunities throughout the year, such as:

• How To Get Hired Series
• Trojan Talks
• Virtual Mock Interviews
• Virtual Office Hours
• Virtual Panels
• Virtual Networking Events
• Virtual Resume Review Days
• Hackathons
• Open Houses

View calendars and information on Viterbi Career Gateway, connectSC, Career Connections blog, and the undergraduate and graduate student newsletters.