Left to right (top row): Erica Kim, Daisy De Leon Perez, Steve Pham, Rene Mendoza. Left to right (bottom row): Ashwin Goyal, Niti Shah, Karthik Bhat. (Photo credit: Steve Pham)
USC Viterbi’s Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science and USC Mark and Mary Stevens School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence hosted the first alumni panel, themed “From Trousdale to Tech: Software Engineering,” on April 16, bringing back recent graduates working at top technology companies including Amazon, Google and IBM.
Held at the Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg Human-Centered Computation Hall, the program featured a moderated panel discussion followed by a 45-minute speed networking session designed to facilitate smaller group conversations between current students and alumni, as well as an exclusive tour of the building for the alumni. During the speed networking, groups of students rotated between alumni speakers, having a more intimate and personalized discussions on career preparation, technical interviews and navigating the transition into industry.
The event also highlighted the department’s broader effort to strengthen community and prepare students for careers in industry. The event’s organizers emphasized the role of Ginsburg Hall as a collaborative “home base” for students, designed to mirror the atmosphere of modern technology workplaces. During a tour of the building, alumni noted that the study pods, conference rooms and open collaboration spaces reflected office environments they now experience at companies like Amazon and IBM.
