Job & Internship Toolkit ➜ Career Plans
Viterbi 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.
Bachelor's Student
- 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 to Viterbi Career Gateway
- Upload your resume and complete your student profile.
- Check Gateway "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 Viterbi Career & Internship Expo.
- 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 Viterbi Career Gateway and company websites.
- Set up alerts to receive instant updates when an employer posts something that meets your interests.
- Attend the Viterbi Career & Internship Expo.
- 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 Viterbi Career Gateway
- 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 Viterbi Career Gateway
- 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
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Master's Student
- 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 Viterbi Career Gateway, 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 Viterbi Career & Internship Expo.
- 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 to Viterbi Career Gateway, update your profile and resume. Apply for full-time jobs through Gateway and company websites in the fall semester.
- Attend the Fall and SpringViterbi Career & Internship Expo.
- 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 Viterbi Career & Internship Expo 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.
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Doctoral Student
- Log-in to Viterbi Career Gateway
- Upload your resume and complete your student profile.
- Read and agree to the On-Campus recruitment agreement.
- Check Gateway "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. Use VMOCK virtual resume review software and the resume and cover letter on the Job & Internship Search toolkit to guide you. Aim for a score of at least 80%.
- Participate to drop-in hours or schedule an advising appointment with a Viterbi Career Connections advisor to learn how to tailor your resume or CV depending on your career goals.
- Attend Networking and Job Search professional development workshops hosted 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 Viterbi Career & Internship Expo.
- Explore the USC Main Career Center's resources and events.
- Participate in mock interviews and On-Campus interviews.
- Explore and consider opportunities in academia and industry.
- Apply in the fall semester for summer internships.
- Present and attend professional conferences in your industry or areas of career interest.
- 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 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 on Viterbi Career Gateway and other job boards.
- Attend job search and and offer negotiation professional development workshops hosted 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 Viterbi Career & Internship Expo 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.
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Published on December 23rd, 2019
Last updated on January 5th, 2024