USC Hosts First Alumni Panel Featuring Insights from Tech Leaders
USC Graduates From Amazon, Google and IBM Shared Insights at the Department’s First Alumni Panel
University Of Southern California
Image: University Of Southern California
On April 16, 2026, USC's Viterbi School of Engineering held its inaugural alumni panel, 'From Trousdale to Tech: Software Engineering,' featuring graduates from Amazon, Google, and IBM. The event focused on career preparation, technical interviews, and overcoming impostor syndrome, aiming to strengthen community ties and provide practical industry insights for current students.
- 01Panelists included Karthik Bhat (Amazon), Ashwin Goyal (IBM), and Niti Shah (Google), who shared their experiences transitioning from university to industry.
- 02The event featured a 45-minute speed networking session that allowed students to engage directly with alumni.
- 03Goyal emphasized the importance of showing personality during technical interviews to ease anxiety.
- 04Professor Laurent Itti's mentorship significantly impacted Goyal's career, helping him secure a Google interview through a competitive project.
- 05The computer science department plans to make the alumni panel a recurring event based on positive feedback from participants.
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The USC Viterbi School of Engineering hosted its first alumni panel on April 16, 2026, themed 'From Trousdale to Tech: Software Engineering.' This event featured recent graduates from leading tech companies such as Amazon, Google, and IBM, who shared valuable insights on career preparation and industry transitions. The panel discussion was followed by a 45-minute speed networking session, allowing current students to engage directly with alumni in smaller groups. Panelists, including Karthik Bhat, Ashwin Goyal, and Niti Shah, discussed topics such as work-life balance, overcoming impostor syndrome, and the nuances of technical interviews. Bhat noted the USC Computer Science program's role in shaping his approach to system design, while Goyal highlighted the importance of mentorship, recalling how Professor Laurent Itti's guidance helped him secure a position at Google. The event aimed to foster community and support for students, with plans to expand the alumni panel series based on positive feedback, enhancing mentorship and connections within the tech industry.
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The alumni panel provides students with direct access to industry insights and networking opportunities, enhancing their career readiness.
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