Synopsis
Welcome to life at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Classes, student organizations, faculty, research, hands-on projects, and don't forget our social lives outside of class - its all up for discussion with regular appearances and interviews with special guests. Viterbi Voices: The Podcast is hosted by Paul Ledesma (Director, Undergraduate Admission) and current student Rhea Choudhury (Biomedical Engineering, Class of 2019).
Episodes
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Engineering Conferences
30/01/2023 Duration: 01h03minNick and Cameron spend this episode talking about their experiences at engineering conferences for their organizations, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). They highlight the benefits and perks of attending the conferences for students and share their personal stories about professional development and bonding with friends in school.Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Breaking Down Capstones/Senior Design
22/01/2023 Duration: 51minThis episode features Cameron, Neha, and Emily discussing all things senior design capstone classes. From their perspectives in computer science, electrical, and biomedical engineering, they talk the ins and outs of what a capstone class is and talk about the projects they created. They also speak on important lessons they learned from taking their respective capstone classes and its connections to real world engineering industry.Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Making Major Changes
16/01/2023 Duration: 01h21minIn this episode, Mateo speaks with Cinthia, JP, and Monse about their experiences with changing their majors at USC. We speak about the process of changing your major, how we settled upon those majors, our successes and struggles during our journeys, and give some advice for those who may want to change their major as well.Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Winter Break Send Off
18/12/2022 Duration: 23minThis is the final episode of Viterbi Voices in 2022! In this episode, Maya and Paul discuss winter break plans, holiday traditions, and their favorite parts of the semester. They also discuss plans for the podcast next semester when Maya is studying abroad in London. Tune in for the first part of the reveal and holiday cheer!Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Innovation in Engineering and Design for Global Crises: Making a Difference Now
05/12/2022 Duration: 57minIn this episode, Aisha discusses with Nick and Emily the impact they're trying to make in their Innovation in Engineering and Design for Global Crises class where they're working to build products to benefit communities affected by the war in Ukraine. We speak about the perspectives gained from traveling to Romania and interacting one-on-one with people affected, how we want to help, and how we measure the success of our impact. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Viterbi Voices Live Chat: Black Students in Engineering
27/11/2022 Duration: 01h06minJoin us for this student-hosted event! Current Viterbi students Taylor, Cameron, Jevon, Kaleigh, and Victoria will answer any and all questions you have about their experience as black students in engineering. Tune in to hear about their thoughts, stories, and common questions from the live chat!Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Environmental Engineering Research: Wastewater Reuse with Euna Kim
20/11/2022 Duration: 33minIn this episode, Vidya speaks with Euna Kim (Environmental Engineering Ph.D) about her research on wastewater reuse. You won't want to miss this episode if you are interested in the environment, working in an engineering research lab, or hearing about Thanksgiving pies!Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Chemical Engineering Round Table
13/11/2022 Duration: 45minIn this episode, Sydney speaks with Carl, Manasvi, and Hari about the life of a chemical engineering student. The students spoke about their experience about what their classes are like and what material is taught. They also addressed why they chose their major, how they got involved in research, and what opportunities there are to pursue outside of engineering. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Biomedical Engineers and Boba
06/11/2022 Duration: 51minIn this episode, Celine speaks with Grace, Asna, Lauren, Kristian, and Anthony about life as biomedical engineering students at USC (while enjoying delicious boba)! This episode dives into a wide variety of topics, including how to get involved with research in college, key highlights of the biomedical engineering department at USC, and fun things to do in Los Angeles. Check out this episode for a glimpse into what life is like for a BME at USC!Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Fall Break: Traveling, Leaves, and Fun!
30/10/2022 Duration: 43minIn this episode, Maya speaks with Viterbi students Cameron, Araxi, Taylor, and Celine about how they spent their fall break. This special conversation bounces from Halloween costumes, conferences, traveling, falling leaves, Viterbi abroad programs, and so much more. Check out this episode for a glimpse into breaks at college as a student at USC Viterbi.Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Viterbi After Dark
23/10/2022 Duration: 53minIn this episode, Lucas speaks with Christian and Amber about their experiences at USC outside of academics. We discuss extracurriculars, fun things to do around Los Angeles, managing stress, and more!Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Club Spotlight: Makers
16/10/2022 Duration: 40minIn this episode, Victoria interviews Pooja and Elizabeth about their experiences in Makers, an IOT and electronics design club at USC. We speak about projects, applying to clubs, and being a freshmen on design teams.Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Student Spotlight: Lavanya Sharma (CSBA '25)
09/10/2022 Duration: 26minThis episode is a part of our newest series: student spotlights! This series highlights specific students at USC Viterbi, their interests, and what they do in an informal, fun conversation.In this episode, Lavanya (CSBA '25) - also known as Lavi - speaks with Maya about her interest in computer science and business, her experience with cybersecurity, organizing hackathons, and her time at USC. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Student Spotlight: TJ Mercer (ISE '24)
02/10/2022 Duration: 19minThis episode kicks off our newest series: student spotlights! This series highlights specific students at USC Viterbi, their interests, and what they do in an informal, fun conversation.In this episode, TJ (ISE '24) speaks with Maya about his interest in the environment and how he engages with his interest through a sustainability fellowship, systems engineering, and specific classes at USC. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Viterbi Voices Live Chat: Meet the Majors 9/4
25/09/2022 Duration: 58minJoin us for this student-hosted event! Current Viterbi students Shannon, Nick, Maya, Leslie, Tim, and Neha will answer any and all questions you have about our majors. Check out the department(s) you're interested in, and get to know the major!Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Applying to USC Viterbi: Myths & Legends
18/09/2022 Duration: 01h33minJoin us for an extra special episode with Paul, Maya, and a panel of current Viterbi students. Nick, Natalie, Jevon, and Taylor ask Paul, Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Viterbi, questions about myths and best practices for applying to Viterbi. Is there an easiest major to be admitted to at Viterbi? Is there a best topic to write about for your essay? They answer all of these questions and share their personal stories in this podcast. If you are a prospective Viterbi applicant, this episode is recommended to answer some of the questions you might have. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Building Rockets, Climbing Mountains, and Learning from Failure with Scott Macklin, AE ‘11, MS '13
11/09/2022 Duration: 01h16minIn this episode, Paul and Maya interview Viterbi alum Scott Macklin (AE '11, M.S. ‘13). They speak about Scott's time at companies focused on space like SpaceX and Virgin Orbit, climbing Kilimanjaro, and the lessons he's learned from failing. Scott's in-depth explanations of the space industry and its progress make this podcast a unique crash course for listeners. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Tech Consulting, Crypto, and Product Management with Jeff Newman, EE '11
04/09/2022 Duration: 01h04minIn this episode, Maya and Paul speak with Jeff Newman (EE '11), about his educational and professional path to becoming a product manager. Jeff explains and compares his experiences with popular "less technical" careers in tech such as product management, project management, and technology consulting. In addition to these lessons, this episode includes discussion of Viterbi's culture, imposter syndrome, and food around USC. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Energy, Nanotechnology, and Start-ups with Dr. Guillermo Garcia, ME '07
28/08/2022 Duration: 01h14minIn this episode, Maya and Paul speak with Viterbi alum Dr. Guillermo Garcia (ME '07) . They speak about everything from transferring schools, starting new ventures, having a growth mindset, and USC Football! Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
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Season 8 Kick Off
22/08/2022 Duration: 10minIn this episode, we kick-off season 8 of the podcast with our new student co-host, Maya! Tune in to hear updates from the hosts, plans for podcast in the upcoming year, and new information from Viterbi Admissions. Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!