If you’ve ever wondered, “What do engineering students actually do?” the answer goes far beyond solving equations and writing code.
At the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, undergraduate students start building, designing, and solving real-world problems from their very first semester. Through hands-on projects, research opportunities, and collaboration with faculty, students gain the technical and leadership skills needed for their future careers. It’s an exciting time to be an engineering student at USC.
Learn Engineering by Doing
USC Viterbi immerses students in engineering from day one. Students tackle design projects, participate in undergraduate research, join competition teams, and work alongside faculty to conduct research in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, biomedical engineering, and space exploration.
This hands-on approach helps students develop more than technical knowledge. It teaches them how to solve complex problems, communicate ideas, and collaborate with diverse teams.
One of my favorite parts of hosting visits at USC Viterbi is showing off our Baum Family Makerspace. The Baum Family Maker Space is a design and fabrication center for use by undergraduate students in the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. It supports a wide range of innovative activities by engineering students and also serves as a home for numerous student design and competition teams. Check it out below:
Viterbi Helps Students Build Skills Employers Want
Today’s employers are looking for engineers who can think beyond technical solutions. Throughout their undergraduate experience, Viterbi students strengthen skills in:
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Teamwork and leadership
- Communication
- Innovation and design
- Research and data analysis
Students can also customize their education through Engineering Plus, combining engineering with fields like business, healthcare, design, policy, or the arts to prepare for multidisciplinary careers.
What Careers Can Engineering Students Pursue?
A Viterbi engineering degree opens doors across nearly every industry.
Graduates work in careers such as software engineering, artificial intelligence, aerospace, biomedical engineering, civil infrastructure, clean energy, robotics, manufacturing, cybersecurity, and product design. They also pursue opportunities in consulting, finance, entertainment, and entrepreneurship.
USC students launch careers with organizations including Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, SpaceX, NVIDIA, Disney, Northrop Grumman, Chevron, and Medtronic. More than 5,000 employers recruit USC students, and Viterbi bachelor’s graduates report an average starting salary of more than $107,000.
Engineering That Makes an Impact
Engineering at USC Viterbi isn’t just about building technology. It’s about improving lives. Whether designing cleaner energy systems, developing life-saving medical technologies, or creating the next generation of AI, Viterbi students graduate prepared to lead in a rapidly changing world.
Students tackle global challenges in sustainability, healthcare, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and space exploration while learning how engineering can create meaningful change for communities around the world.
