Viterbi Graduate Mentorship Program

The Viterbi Graduate Mentorship Program is designed to help new Viterbi graduate students adjust smoothly to life at USC and Los Angeles. Participating new students (mentees) will be paired up with current Viterbi graduate students (mentors). Mentees and mentors are mostly paired up in the same academic department and at the same degree level. We host various events throughout the year exclusively for mentors and mentees. Please see the sections below for more information and sign up to part of this program.

Contact: vgradm@vase.usc.edu

Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction
- JOHN C. CROSBY

Testimonials -

Experience sharing is enriching.
- MENTOR

My mentor has been one of my biggest support systems over here."
- MENTEE

Benefits:

A certificate of appreciation will be awarded to qualified mentors.
It is an excellent way of expanding your personal & professional network by making global friends through the program.
It’s a project that shows interpersonal communication, mentoring and leadership skills that can enrich your experiences at USC and help you in job searching.
It’s a great way of giving back to the Viterbi School and USC by helping new Trojans.
Mentors will get support from the VASE office of attending various social events and gifts.
"Opportunity helped me to grow my network. I could see an improvement in my leadership and communication skills. Definitely, I had a lot of fun." --Mentor

Responsibilities:

A mandatory training session will be scheduled for all mentors before the mentees are assigned.
Each mentor will be connected with 1-2 mentees in the same academic department at the same degree level.
Mentorship begins with email correspondence before new students arrive on campus. The mentorship will continue throughout the new students’ first semester.
After connected, mentors are expected to answer questions and general advice on arrival and graduate student life to mentees.
Mentors are required to meet mentees at least once in person and be prompt of communications on emails or other agreed social media platforms.
The Viterbi VASE office will organize or collaborate with student organizations on social events for mentors and mentees.
Mentors are not expected to give assistance on mentee’s assignments or tutoring.

Eligibility:

A minimum of 3.0 GPA
Prefer students who won't have internship out of LA area in 2018 spring.

Benefits:

Receive general advice on graduate student life before you arrive on campus.
It is an opportunity to build your professional and social network. The mentoring relationship continues throughout your first semester and may continue for semesters to come.
Mentees will get support from the VASE office for various social events together with mentors.
"A lot of times, my mentor's answers would save me from taking blind steps ahead. I highly recommend this program and I would love to be a mentor for them." --Mentee

Responsibilities:

Mentees are expected to…

Maintain communication with your mentor at least once a month or meet once a month in the first semester.
Before you arrive in L.A., respect your mentor’s schedule and understand there may be a significant time difference.
Attend the mingle event (at the beginning of the seemster) and other social events together with your mentor.
Complete feedback surveys for the program in your first semester.
Mentors are NOT your academic tutors and not expected to assist or support you with coursework.

Notes:

In addition to this program, the Viterbi Admission and Student Engagement (VASE) Office will arrange other welcome events. Invitations will be sent to your email.

Mentorship Program Photos (Facebook)

Previous events:

1. Fall Mentors Training Session (June 1, 2018)

2. Fall Mentorship Mingle (August 23, 2018)

3. Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival (Sep 24, 2018)

4. Indian Garba; Dandiya Raas (Oct 14, 2018)

5. Experience Viterbi App Launch - iOS Platform currently (October 15, 2018)

6. 2019 Spring Mentors Training (Nov. 16, 2018, 2:30-3:30 pm, TBD)

7. Spring Mentorship Mingle ( February 1, 2019)

2020 Fall Incoming Students

The Viterbi Graduate Mentorship Program is designed to help new Viterbi graduate students smoothly adjust to life at USC and in Los Angeles. When incoming students sign up, they become "mentees" and will be paired up with current Viterbi graduate students, the "mentors".

Application links are below