One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at USC has been getting involved in student organizations. While some believe that academics are the foundation of a college education, I realized early on that developing myself outside the classroom would be just as important to my personal and professional growth. Joining different student groups has allowed me to expand my horizons, connect with others, and build skills that complement my engineering studies.
During my sophomore year, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and join a consulting club on campus. At first, this seemed unrelated to my major, but I was curious to learn more about the consulting industry and how business strategies were applied to solve complex problems. To my surprise, I quickly realized how much my engineering problem-solving mindset could be applied to consulting challenges. The structured thinking I had developed in mechanical engineering – breaking down large problems into manageable pieces, optimizing systems, and finding creative solutions – translated seamlessly into consulting projects.
Through working with a team on real-world case studies, I learned about market analysis, business strategy, and client engagements. Through these projects, I gained a broader perspective on how engineering principles can be applied across various industries, not just in technical roles. This experience also sharpened my communication and presentation skills, as we had to pitch our solutions to clients and peers regularly. It reinforced the idea that engineering isn’t limited to solving technical problems – it’s about providing innovative solutions across all facets of business. Because of how much I enjoyed being a strategic consultant, I took it a step further and even became a project manager for a semester. This in fact was what I think helped me figure out what I wanted to do post college.
In addition to the consulting club, I also became actively involved with the Viterbi Student Ambassadors (VSA) program. As a VSA, I had the unique opportunity to represent the Viterbi School of Engineering to prospective students and visitors. I joined this role to meet students, faculty, and staff who all shared a passion for fostering the next generation of engineer, and at the same time also learned how to effectively communicate my experiences as an engineering student and share the incredible opportunities that Viterbi offers.
Balancing my technical coursework with involvement in these organizations has been crucial to my growth at USC. These experiences have helped me build a well-rounded skill set, broaden my network, and prepare for life beyond graduation.
