Alumni Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Available Services
What services are available to alumni?
Whether you are a recent graduate, mid-career professional, senior leader, or retiree, the USC Career Center in partnership with the USC Alumni Association has career resources to meet your needs. We provide online job search resources, complimentary recent graduate career advising, and events focused on the latest job search and career management trends. We also provide alumni with opportunities to attend networking events, and access to exclusive job listings through Handshake, CareerShift and Your Next Step.
How do we define a recent graduate?
A recent graduate is a USC graduate within the first three years after graduation.
What are the career advising services available to recent graduates?
Recent graduates have access to services we offer students, except On-Campus Recruiting (OCR). As a recent graduate, you may access a wealth of resources, and in-person and online events. You may also schedule up to four 30-minute virtual advising appointments per calendar year. Please log into Handshake to schedule your recent graduate appointment.
I graduated in the last four years or more. What are the career advising services available to me?
The USC Career Center and Alumni Association offers discounted fee-based virtual career advising services available on various career management topics for USC alumni worldwide. Alumni receive a complimentary 15-minute initial exploratory consultation with each provider. View a listing of professional career advisors. Career advising is a personal service, and everyone’s needs are different. The USC Career Center and Alumni Association make no representation of the nature of the services they will provide.
Does the Career Center offers psychological counseling, therapy, or recommend practitioners to alumni?
We do not provide psychological counseling, therapy, or referrals to counseling centers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, or other individual care providers.
Do you provide information on changing industries or careers?
Career management is a fluid process, and we understand that you may change jobs or careers often. Each year, we offer events to serve alumni who are changing jobs and industries. Register for the Trojan Network to conduct informational interviews and network with other alumni employed in the industry or position you are interested in pursuing. Also, leverage CareerShift to source alumni contacts in your chosen field.
Are there other career services on campus I can use as a resource?
Yes, school-based career centers offer drop-in advising appointments and host career events.
How can I contact the USC Career Center?
(213) 740-9111 or careers@usc.edu
Does the Career Center offer alumni complimentary headshots?
Yes, part of our Headshots to Handshakes Program, we offer alumni complimentary access to our IRIS booth to take headshots. You may drop-by the Career Center located in the Student Union 110 (first floor) Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and take your professional photos. For questions, please contact the Career Center at (213) 740-9111.
Where is your office located?
3601 Trousdale Parkway, STU 110 and B1 (downstairs)
When is the USC Career Center open?
We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We offer recent graduates virtual appointments via Zoom.
Are there career resources I can utilize anytime and anywhere?
Online career resources are available online 24/7 from anywhere in the world.
Events, Webinars, and Multimedia
How can I find out more about alumni career events, and how do I register?
We offer alumni a wide range of local, regional, and international virtual events. Some activities are geared toward specific alumni populations, while others may be more general and focused on the latest career trends. Please visit our events page to learn more about the many career events offered.
May I attend the Fall and Spring Career Fairs for students? Do I need to register?
We host fall and spring career fairs. Typically, 150-200 employers attend each career fair. Recent graduates (up to three years out) are welcome to participate in the fair and must register by following the same registration instructions provided to students on Handshake.
How does the USC Career Center support alumni who live outside of Southern California?
We partner with the USC Alumni Association and host online and regional career events in collaboration with local USC alumni clubs. We are available to consult with alumni club leaders in planning career events in their area. We also offer international virtual events on various career management topics.
May I bring my spouse, friend, or partner to a USC alumni career event?
Yes, alumni are welcome to invite their spouses, partners, friends, and adult children to our in-person and virtual alumni career events.
Recruit Trojans and Post Jobs
My organization would like to post an internship or a full-time position for students and alumni. How can I do that?
We encourage you to post positions for USC students and alumni on Handshake, our exclusive job listing platform. Alumni and employers interested in hiring a Trojan may post internships and jobs for free on Handshake for 30 days. If you already have an alumni account in Handshake, you will have to create a separate employer account to post jobs.
My organization would like to participate in the On-Campus Recruiting Program (OCR) for students. Who should I contact, and is there a fee?
Contact Rachel Chung, Associate Director for Employer Engagement for Interview rooms are complimentary to employers conducting on-campus interviews, and we highly encourage employers to host virtual interviews.
Get Involved
Are there opportunities to volunteer at the USC Career Center?
There are many ways that Trojans can help other Trojans. The USC Career Center encourages alumni to share their expertise and experience with USC students and alumni. Learn more.
