The USC Career Center and USC Counseling & Mental Health are excited to announce the launch of the new International Student Mentorship Program in Spring 2023! The program aims to support international undergraduate and graduate student career and personal development and wellbeing by fostering mentorship relationships with international Trojan alumni.

Program Timeline:

• Mentee Registration Application: December 16, 2022 – January 15, 2023
• Match Decisions: January 16-20, 2023
• Program Launch and Orientation (mandatory): January 18, 2023
• Mentor-mentee meetings: January-May (at least once per month)
• Career and Personal Development Workshops/Activities: February-April (twice per month)
• Program Closing Celebration: May 19, 2023

Program Calendar:

Becoming an International Student Mentee

The application to join the pilot of this program as a mentee will open on December 16, 2022 and close on January 15, 2022. You can access the registration questions and application through the International Student Mentorship Program Page in the Trojan Network. Be sure to complete your Trojan Network profile and the program application questions in detail since we will use some of your responses to pair you with our alumni mentors.

What You Will Gain

You will gain professional development, personal wellness tools, and career direction while fostering a relationship with someone who can be a mentor and role model. You can discuss any concerns or challenges you face as an international student at USC while gaining support, direction, and connection from your mentor. It is especially important during these uncertain times to build community and learn from others to prepare you for your future.

The Expectations

Objectives for Mentees:

• Proactively connect at least once a month with your mentor and commit to expectations set by the program.
• Participate in all monthly group and individual student-alumni activities.
• Utilize campus tools/resources presented at workshops and through the USC Career Center website.
• Gain insight into the USC international student experience while expanding your network and learning about career and wellness resources, internships, jobs and/or career paths.

The program requires a commitment of one academic semester (January–May). Throughout the semester, the Career Center and Counseling & Mental Health will hold monthly workshops or activities in which all mentees and mentors are encouraged to participate. These events will focus on international student career resources and exploration, personal and career development, and mental health and wellbeing, while allowing all program participants to network and interact as a group.

Orientation and closing events will be held in person at the University Park Campus with the option to join virtually for offsite participants, and all workshops will be conducted virtually. Mentor and mentee pairs can meet virtually or in person at their convenience.

Outside of our monthly events, mentors and mentees are expected to connect at least once per month on their own for a career/personal development activity. Suggested professional activities include reviewing resumes, drafting cover letters, networking, practicing interview skills, and job shadowing. We have also developed Mentorship Principles that help set the foundation for a successful mentorship. Connecting virtually and communicating with your mentor is important – and it is a two-way street. Please do not expect alumni to only reach out to you to set up meetings! Be proactive, take initiative, and send the first email or make the first phone call.

As a reminder, use your best judgment when engaging with alumni. Review our Non-Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Guidelines for policies on how to interact with alumni while developing a mentoring relationship. If an interaction is inappropriate or unprofessional, please notify us. We expect appropriate and professional engagement at all times.

Program Eligibility

Candidates must:

• Maintain good academic standing.
• Be currently enrolled in a degree program at USC.
• Have completed one full semester of classes at USC, with the exception of first-semester transfer students.
• Enrolled in classes for both fall and spring semesters (December graduates are ineligible).

Selection Process

Students are selected through an application process.  Selected mentees will be notified via email in early to mid January. Spots are limited and if not matched, you are encouraged to utilize the Trojan Network to build connections and network with fellow Trojans! There is no minimum GPA requirement.

Students are expected to remain accountable in addition to demonstrating strong written and verbal communication skills. Students must be able to commit to the program for the full semester. Commitment to the program is demonstrated by responding to communication from the International Student Mentorship Program Coordinator and your mentor in a timely manner and being mindful of mandatory program events when registration for Spring classes occurs. This also includes notifying the Coordinator and your Mentor in the event of emergencies at least two days (48 hours) in advance.

USC Alumni

If you were an international college student and would like to become a mentor, see the Becoming an International Student Mentor page.

If you have any questions, contact Addie Cheng.