Choosing a major or graduate program is about more than academics. It’s about the support system that helps shape your future. USC career services are deeply integrated into the student experience, offering guidance, connections, and hands-on opportunities. For those exploring USC Price programs, this support is especially robust, layering university-wide resources with specialized services tailored to public policy and related fields.
USC Price students are supported by two separate career services offices – the USC Career Center and the USC Price Office of Career Services.
USC Career Center
At the USC Career Center, students receive individualized career coaching, attend workshops, and access tools that prepare them for competitive job markets. From resume refinement to interview preparation, USC career services equip students with the practical skills needed to pursue diverse career paths.
USC Price Office of Career Services
What sets USC Price apart is its dedicated Office of Career Services, which offers a more targeted, industry-specific approach. From the moment students arrive, career exploration and planning are emphasized as a core part of the academic journey. The Price Career Services team works closely with students to navigate career complexity, helping them identify meaningful paths in public policy, nonprofit leadership, urban planning, healthcare administration, and more. This proactive approach ensures that students are not just preparing for jobs, but are building purposeful careers.
USC Price Career Services also provide personalized advising through one-on-one sessions. Whether a student is just beginning to explore options and looking for career resources, or refining a clear professional direction, advisors help map out actionable steps. Through the Handshake platform, students can search job listings, schedule advising appointments, and access tailored resources specific to USC Price programs. This centralized system makes it easy to stay engaged and proactive throughout the job search process.
Price Professional Mentorship Program (PPMP)
A standout feature of Price’s career services is the Price Professional Mentorship Program (PPMP), which connects students directly with experienced professionals. These mentors offer guidance, share industry insights, and help students expand their USC alumni connections. By engaging with mentors in fields like public administration and urban planning, students gain real-world perspectives that complement their academic studies. This mentorship is a powerful extension of the broader USC Price alumni network.
Networking and career fairs
Events and employer engagement further enhance the USC Price experience. Signature programs such as Fall Networking Night and virtual career fairs connect students with organizations actively seeking talent. These events allow students to interact with employers across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors, often leading to internships and full-time roles. The emphasis on connection reflects the strength of the USC Trojan Network, where collaboration and support are embedded in the culture.
Direct access to employers
The Price Career Services team coordinates site visits to employer workplaces, giving students the opportunity to learn firsthand from organizational representatives about day-to-day operations, workplace culture, and potential career paths. The team collaborates with employers and members of the USC Alumni Network to host information sessions that highlight available roles and industry insights. These sessions are offered both on-campus and virtually, ensuring that all students can engage with valuable USC alumni connections and expand their reach within the Trojan Network regardless of location.
The USC Price advantage
Additional resources offered by the USC Price Office of Career Services team include:
- CliftonStrengths, an online talent assessment to discover what you naturally do best so you can learn how to develop your greatest talents.
- Assistance in finding internships and fellowships.
- Resources for international students.
- PPMP Spark Sessions – a new program designed to support USC Price undergraduate students in Public Policy and Urban Studies and Planning who are exploring career pathways.
USC Price offers a clear advantage: a comprehensive, career-focused education supported by both university-wide and specialized resources. USC Price programs provide more than a degree. They offer a strategic launchpad for meaningful careers, backed by a community committed to your success.
