This semester, the USC Career Center hosted an AI and Machine Learning Panel as part of its Industry Insights series, a student intern-led initiative designed to help students explore career paths.
On Tuesday, September 24, we welcomed five inspiring panelists: Jon Wolheim, Christopher Lee, Brad Hurwitz, Suchismita Sahu, and Josie Garcia. The panel was moderated by Ahona Karim, a USC student and Employer Engagement Intern.
Meet the Panelists
Brad Hurwitz is the CEO and Chief Product Officer of Prosporus, a FinTech platform designed to help military members achieve their financial goals. Brad has extensive experience leading sales and business development for startups and Fortune 500 companies, including scaling a high-growth vertical at Credit Karma.
Jon Wolheim is the Founder of DISRUPTR Ventures, LLC, and has led Talent Acquisition and Global Talent Programs at major companies like Apple and Amazon. Currently, he serves as Vice President of People and Partnerships at Games for Love, a non-profit that uses video games to help hospitalized children.
Josie Garcia is a Product Manager at PwC, with over a decade of experience in advertising and marketing technology. Josie is also committed to mentoring rising professionals and is an active leader in diversity initiatives within her organization.
Suchismita Sahu is a Senior Data Scientist at NVIDIA, where she focuses on solving Generative AI and Deep Learning challenges for various industries. Her work includes helping clients scale their AI applications to production.
Christopher Lee is a Data Scientist at Northrop Grumman, responsible for leading AI projects that focus on improving processes in defense technologies. Chris has worked on projects like using machine learning vision models to detect defects in F-35 fighter jets.
Key Insights from the AI and Machine Learning Panel
Q: How do you think AI will shape industries over the next 10 to 15 years, and what opportunities does this create for young professionals entering the field?
Brad Hurwitz: “There are strong parallels between how AI is evolving now and how the Internet transformed industries years ago. Just like in the early days of e-commerce, users had to learn how to engage with the technology. AI is moving so fast that both developers and users need to catch up. It’s not just about creating new technologies, but also helping users adopt them in ways that become second nature, similar to how online shopping has become routine today.”
Suchismita Sahu: “I agree with Brad. Keeping up with rapid advancements is a challenge, but also exciting. Data science has shifted from traditional methods to incorporating generative AI, which requires a more comprehensive skill set. The field is evolving into something much broader, integrating applications like microservices.”
Jon Wolheim: “This is such an exciting time to be learning AI, even if you know nothing yet. The learning curve is so steep that you could go from an expert to a novice overnight. But having even a slight edge, especially if you’re not in a deeply technical field, can differentiate you in significant ways. AI knowledge, even at a basic level, offers incredible opportunities in industries outside of tech, like entertainment and business.”
Q: How do you see AI transforming your specific industry in the coming years, and are there any emerging trends or technologies that particularly excite you?
Suchismita Sahu: “There are many exciting advancements in generative AI, especially in multimodal AI, which processes text, image, video, and audio data. Agent AI systems that learn efficiently from limited data are also emerging. One area that excites me is digital human technology, which can be used in customer service, retail, and healthcare, making interactions more human-like.”
Jon Wolheim: “AI is even impacting end-of-life care. My wife, a palliative care doctor, has seen chatbots help solve loneliness for patients. These tools are having measurable effects on extending life expectancy and improving quality of life.”
Christopher Lee: “At my company, AI is reducing the divide between data scientists and business experts. With tools like Claude and GPTs, more people can handle technical tasks, creating roles that blend business and technical skills, like product management.”
Brad Hurwitz: “AI tools like ChatGPT are making analysis everyone’s job. At Prosporus, we rely on AI for everything from data extraction to legal work. It’s like having multiple junior employees, though you still need to check the work.”
Josie Garcia: “As a non-technical product manager, I use ChatGPT to learn about new technologies. I ask it to explain things in simple terms, which helps me grasp new concepts and stay informed, even though I always double-check the details.”
Advice for Students Pursuing Careers in AI and Machine Learning
Q: If you could offer one piece of advice to someone starting a career in AI and Machine Learning, what would it be?
Josie Garcia: “Focus on communication skills. Once you’re in the workforce, working with various people, being able to effectively communicate your ideas and thoughts will be your special weapon, especially in a fast-paced field like AI.”
Brad Hurwitz: “One thing AI can’t do is sit across the table and buy someone coffee. The human element will differentiate you in an AI-driven world. So, reach out for coffee chats and stand out by embracing that personal connection.”
Jon Wolheim: “Identify what makes you better as a human and excel at it—whether it’s creativity or continuous learning through internships and projects. Attach your name to meaningful work, and if you want something specific, I highly recommend Toastmasters International to master communication skills.”
Christopher Lee: “Communication is key, and sending cold emails while in college is underrated. People are receptive, and I’ve met incredible people just by doing that. If you need help with this, feel free to reach out on LinkedIn.”
Suchismita Sahu: “LinkedIn presence is important. Share your learnings from projects or courses, as it showcases both your technical skills and communication abilities. It’s something I wish I had done more of.”
View our AI & Machine Learning panel here and stay tuned for additional industry takeaways
