Beginning Oct. 19, the USC Career Center will launch its newest career-focused program: Headshots to Handshakes. The program’s goal is to teach all USC students how to network, improve their personal brand, and tap into the University’s extensive alumni family via LinkedIn and the Trojan Network.
Headshots to Handshakes is a program developed by students for students. The Student Engagement Intern Team – consisting of eight undergraduates representing all years and majors in Dornsife, Marshall, Price, and Annenberg – has worked diligently over the course of the semester to bring the program to life, working directly with USC alumni at LinkedIn to create a program tailored to USC students.
Through the program, the Career Center will offer three new resources to current USC students:
- IRIS Booth
Students can now get free professional headshots at the Career Center! Our new IRIS Booth offers students the opportunity to take high-quality pictures that they can use for their LinkedIn and Trojan Network profiles. The IRIS Booth is located in STU-110 and will be open every Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- LinkedIn and Trojan Network Workshops
Did you know that over 300,000 USC alumni are on LinkedIn? Learn how to connect with alumni, peers, and industry professionals at the Career Center’s 30-minute LinkedIn and Trojan Network workshops. The Student Engagement Intern Team will host in-person workshops that will teach students the basics of creating a LinkedIn profile, with an emphasis on telling your personal story. Workshops will also provide tips on how to build your professional network on the two platforms. Students will be admitted into the workshops on a first come first serve basis. Workshops will be held in STU-110 on Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 1 – 3 p.m. for the rest of the fall semester.
When students take a professional headshot AND attend a LinkedIn and Trojan Network workshop, they will be eligible to receive a complimentary digital business card courtesy of the Career Center. The Career Center emphasizes sustainability throughout the recruitment process and encourages students to do the same! To involve students in this mission, the Career Center will offer students digital business cards to use at career fairs, networking events, and other events. Digital business cards will feature a QR code directly linking employers to students’ contact information.
The Headshots to Handshake program will continue year-round with workshop times subject to change.
