From USC to Big Tech Illustration (Photo Credit: Magali Gruet)
From some of our earliest alumni, like Andrew Viterbi as a pioneer in shaping digital communications by inventing the Viterbi algorithm, and Ming Hsieh, who transformed biometric identification technology, the newest generation of graduates has been passed the baton to lead and guide the future of computing in top industry jobs.
This year, many students from USC Viterbi School of Engineering and USC Mark and Mary Stevens School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence have secured jobs or lined up offers before graduating, and will be walking with both a degree and a job offer from top tech companies in the nation, including Apple, Nvidia, Amazon and Microsoft.
USC’s data shows that the top companies for the two academic departments under USC Viterbi and USC Mark and Mary Stevens School of Computing are Amazon and Apple.
The top five firms alumni from the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science (CS) currently work at are Amazon, Google, Meta Platforms, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft; with Apple, Intel, Northrop Grumman, Google and Nvidia being the top five companies Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) alumni are employed at, based on counts of living alumni data by USC.
Currently, the two departments have a combined alumni network of more than 47,000 living alumni, with approximately 24,000 from the electrical and computer engineering department and around 23,000 from the computer science department.
These career outcomes are not just a testament to USC’s program emphasis on hands-on learning and pre-professional training that prepares students for the real world, but also reflect the university’s leadership in shaping the future of the tech industry and helping build the latest technologies. This further solidifies the role of reputable higher education and research institutions like USC in the nation’s tech industry, creating an interconnected cycle of talent and innovation.
Many alumni and graduating students also shared that USC engineering programs are the launchpad for their successful careers in big tech.
State-of-the-art courses designed to align with industry demands prepare graduates to be top picks in the job market
Many alumni mentioned USC’s CS and ECE classes prepare them with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills that are in demand in industry, which translates to their success in their current jobs.
Many students mentioned specific courses like Analog Integrated Circuits taught by Hossein Hashemi and Quantum Mechanics by Tony Levi, which offer exposure to advanced, cutting-edge concepts in electrical engineering and physics. Those courses are also designed to help students build a strong technical foundation and stay informed about the latest developments in their fields.
Looking back on their careers, many alumni felt prepared and ahead of peers from other universities in their current jobs, which made them competitive candidates employers seek out. Some also noted that this is made possible because many faculty work closely with industry partners or have their own startups or work part time in the tech world, offering firsthand insights when developing courses or even teaching.
Tammy Truong (Photo Credit: Tammy Truong)
Alumni also emphasized that this preparation extends beyond individual courses. Programs such as the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges, along with experiential learning opportunities like “WRIT 340 Berlin Fall Lead” led by professor Harley Ramsey, helped students develop broader problem-solving skills. USC alumna Tammy Truong further added that industry-connected programs such as the Boeing-sponsored Accelerated Leadership Program (ALP) that she was part of further reinforced career readiness. The program supported students through tuition coverage, internships, and postgraduation employment opportunities. As Truong noted, “Without USC and Viterbi, I 100% would not be where I am now,” adding that the program was offered at only a select number of schools nationwide.
Top to bottom: Akash Roy, Serena Huynh, Bryon Tjanaka
Akash Roy, Double Masters in EE and CS; PhD in Electrical Engineering ’26
Apple, Health Sensing Hardware – Electrical Engineer
“The coursework in both EE and CS are kept up to date, and the professors are super knowledgeable since they themselves are majorly involved in research in the field they teach the course. This helps to stay informed about the latest trends in the field.”
Serena Huynh, BS Computer Science, Minor in Mobile App Development ’24
Microsoft, Software Engineer
“The well-rounded computer science curriculum prepared me for my technical interviews and the knowledge foundation I need for my current role.”
Bryon Tjanaka, PhD in Computer Science ’26
Waymo, Software Engineer
“Through my PhD at USC, I learned how to engage with the academic community and those who produce knowledge. In my work at Waymo, this skill is proving useful, as we are very much working on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence.”
Trojan pipeline: strong alumni network helps connect jobs and opportunities
Many alumni described USC as a place full of opportunities and highlighted that one of the most valuable parts of the USC engineering degree is the strong network and community that’s difficult to find elsewhere.
From peers and faculty to alumni, USC Trojan engineers are well-connected and offer a supportive network. These connections are strengthened as alumni work at top tech firms, which also makes USC’s strong network a pipeline for current and incoming Trojans to big tech.
With nearly 50,000 living alumni around the world, USC’s computer science and ECE departments have a huge network that students can tap into. This not only helps students graduate with job prospects but also in the long term, as the wide global network provides alumni with a lifelong community.
For recent graduates, USC’s job pipeline starts early in their years at USC. Tons of networking events and panels each semester give access to mentors and direct connections to learn more about roles.
Karkala Shashank Hegde (Photo credit: Karkala Shashank Hegde)
These events often foster an interconnected Trojan community and sometimes lead to direct alumni referrals.
Karkala Shashank Hegde, PhD Electrical and Computer Engineering ’26
NVIDIA, Applied Scientist
“Given this job market, having a really good alumni connection is really important. USC does have a very strong alumni network historically…that can at least get me an interview.”
Reputable faculty with strong industry ties help students land jobs
Many alumni highlighted the engineering school’s well-connected faculty and their strong industry ties as one of the key factors helping them land jobs.
Whether through ongoing collaborations with industry partners on projects or faculty themselves experienced in the industry, faculty are a valuable resource, giving students direct access to industry connections, often through faculty referrals that students can leverage.
Many faculty also leverage their personal connections to bring valuable industry speakers into the classroom and even connect students to job opportunities.
PhD alumni Shashank Nelamangala Sridhara, now a senior researcher at Dolby, noted that companies like Google, Sony, and even Dolby often reach out to professors like his PhD advisor, Antonio Ortega, directly to “ask for his students” from his lab to fill positions. Ortega is a dean’s professor of electrical and computer engineering and a professor of electrical and computer engineering. Shashank mentioned that Ortega helped spark his initial introduction to Dolby, where he interned while pursuing his PhD and now works full time.
Some graduates emphasized that the benefit goes beyond faculty simply knowing people or providing access to a broad network. USC professors actively create opportunities for students’ work to be seen—whether by inviting students to present at companies or showcasing their work in the classroom. This has helped bridge students and industry in ways that go beyond traditional networking and have been more powerful.
Several alumni also expressed gratitude not only for faculty’s industry ties and mentorship, but for the broader institutional reputation of USC’s engineering programs. Many said this reputation provides a distinct advantage when applying and interviewing for jobs, underscoring the strength of the USC name in the industry. This extends to research labs as well, as many alumni from USC’s Signal Analysis and Interpretation Laboratory (SAIL) emphasized that both their advisor, Shrikanth (Shri) Narayanan, and the lab’s reputation helped earn respect at conferences and strengthened their influence in the field. Narayanan is the university’s vice president for presidential initiatives and USC University Professor.
Top to bottom: Shashank Nelamangala Sridhara, Mohamed Elsawaf, Mi-Ying Miryam Huang
Shashank Nelamangala Sridhara, PhD Electrical Engineering ’26
Dolby Laboratories, Senior Researcher
“Professors at usc are highly reputable… industry values USC professors a lot and with USC’s reputation… a lot of companies highly trust the student quality when recruiting.”
Mohamed Elsawaf, PhD Electrical Engineering ’26
Marvell Technology, Senior Staff Analog and Mixed Signal Design Engineer
“In California, people know that USC is a very big player in the area… when people hear that you got a degree from USC, it’s much easier to get an interview.”
Mi-Ying Miryam Huang, PhD Computer Science ’26
Carnegie Mellon University, postdoctoral fellow
“Professors at Viterbi have been one of the biggest sources of support in my career journey. Their guidance went beyond academics… and (provided) valuable mentorship on navigating both industry and academic opportunities.”
Beyond the classroom: student organizations provide hands-on training that helps graduates stand out
Alumni also highlighted that their involvement in cocurricular and extracurricular activities complemented the rigorous academic programs, which further helped them stand out not just on a resume but through soft skills and training beyond courses. USC Viterbi houses more than 50 student organizations, with many focused on pre-professional development, offering networking opportunities, panels and mock interviews, while others focus on hands-on learning through projects and workshops.
Top student organizations that students highlighted include the USC Society of Women Engineers (SWE), which empowers female-identifying students to build community, network and support each other in professional development; and USC Makers, an organization fostering a community of hands-on project creation beyond textbooks to turn innovative ideas into physical hardware products and apply hardware skills learned in class to solve real-world engineering problems.
Many class of 2026 undergraduate seniors highlighted that the opportunity to attend the SWE conference helped them land jobs.
Other graduates also highlighted that leadership experience and other soft skills that employers actively look for, like collaboration and communication, are built and highly transferable from their experience in student organizations as a training ground.
Top to bottom: Alexandra Somodi, Nnaemeka Opara, Tammy Truong
Alexandra Somodi, BS Computer Engineering & Computer Science, BS Pharmacology & Drug Development ‘26
Abbott, Associate informatics technical specialist
“Society of Women Engineers helped me prepare for interviews and tailor my resume to recruit for full-time opportunities!”
Nnaemeka Opara, BS Computer Science and Business Administration ‘26
Microsoft, Technical Program Manager
“Extracurricular Involvements such as the National Society of Black Engineers helped pave the way towards my leadership development, allowing me to obtain a role early that is very sought after by MBA students.”
Tammy Truong, BS Computer Science and Business Administration ‘25, MS Computer Science ’26
The Boeing Company, Software Engineer
“My involvement with USC Code the Change helped me gain valuable teamwork and technical experience. These were the experiences I used in my resume and during my interview with Boeing for the ALP program. The Code the Change network helped me through the recruiting process, prepping for interviews, and navigating post-grad as a new engineer.”
Career resources set USC apart and support students through job search in competitive market
Many alumni mentioned career development resources are what make USC stand out and differentiate it from other universities, which reflects the university’s role to serve as a launchpad for a successful career in computing.
Specifically, many graduates this year and early-career alumni agreed that the abundance of career resources at USC was key in supporting them as they navigated career options and made the job search process easier, even in a tough job market.
At USC, students are supported at every step of their professional development journeys, from initial exploration of career trajectories to securing job opportunities, as many graduating seniors recalled their freshman experience attending department-level and career center-hosted panels and talks.
The career center also offers a range of services that have guided many students—from providing mock interviews, free courses and LinkedIn workshops to career fairs, employer resume review sessions, and even spaces and rooms students can book for interview preparation.
Alumni also highlighted the personalized one-on-one consultations with Viterbi’s career center and the university wide center as a great perk, making the job search process more personalized and less tedious.
Top to bottom: Nnaemeka Opara and Serena Huynh
Nnaemeka Opara, BS Computer Science and Business Administration ‘26
Microsoft, Technical Program Manager
“Viterbi’s career fair ultimately changed the trajectory of my professional career. It’s why I was able to obtain my sophomore year summer internship at ServiceNow, which introduced me to the program management side of the tech industry.”
Serena Huynh, BS Computer Science, Minor in Mobile App Development ‘24
Microsoft, Software Engineer
“Events such as career fairs, networking events, and resume reviews also helped give me feedback on what I could improve on as a candidate during the job search!”
Kevin Yang, PhD Electrical and Computer Engineering ‘26
LinkedIn, AI Engineer
“I was able to utilize the career fair and mock interviews to land my first internship at TikTok, which led me to my full-time job offer at LinkedIn.”
Note: employment data reflects a subset of alumni for whom job information is available and does not represent all alumni. (Data source: USC)
Published on May 13th, 2026
Last updated on May 13th, 2026
This article may feature some AI-assisted content for clarity, consistency, and to help explore complex scientific concepts with greater depth and creative range.
