<p>I know this isn't a HUGE deal, but I have an amusing anecdote I feel that I should share:</p>
<p>A new restaurant recently opened in my town. Needing money (obviously for U$C) I decided to apply for a night job as a busboy, or whatever in addition to my current job managing a beach (although I have absolutely no restaurant experience.) So, today I had my interview with the general manager of the new restaurant. He sat me down, and began talking to me, telling me that regretably he had already filled most, if not all the available spots. Then, thankfully, he glanced down at my application and said: "Oh! You're going to USC?" I responded accordingly and he then proceeded to tell me that HE went to USC, graduating in '87 from Marshall. He then went on and on about USC for the rest of the interview- telling me the best places to eat, all about the campus, the dorms, etc. He practically talked about USC for 20 minutes straight, without me ever really saying a whole lot. Then at the end of the interview, he told me that I had a job, and not just as a busboy. He was going to hire me as a bar-back (essentially a bartender in training) which pays a little more, and as he said will prepare me to make a lot of money as a bartender in Cali. So I went from no job, to job just because of USC. Thank you Trojan Network! (and I live in MA!)</p>
<p>I know this is only for a restaurant job which really doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme of things, but I just found it quite interesting, and very, very amusing. It may not apply everywhere, but the Trojan Network really came through for me this time (and I'm not even there yet!)</p>
<p>My folks called the USC alumi office, and they didn't even know if there were any USC grads from Montana. I know the USC alumni network is the stuff of legend, but it's a shame I can't use it.</p>
<p>The Trojan connection will probably get you farthest in California (although I haven't randomly met any alumni yet here in Silicon Valley) and outside the US in Asia because USC has a big presence in both areas. It's nice to see that it extends elsewhere, though :)</p>
<p>i"v met tons of alumn in the silicon valley! lol If you wear your USC t-shirt believe me, you'll meet a few. The other day, I met a girl at the mall who goes to USC, I discovered that my orthodontist and dentist are both alumn, and my neighbor is in a long line of trojan alumn! Small World!</p>
<p>The Trojan alumni network is a wonderful thing - if you use it! I would argue that the network is even stronger outside of CA but just not as prominent. I say this because run-ins in places outside of CA are far more rare, so when it happens usually alums go out of their way to help each other, cause it's a rare opportunity. </p>
<p>For example, last year I took a trip out east and was in Manhattan for one day (I guess not so rare since it's the 2nd largest base outside of CA), and in that one day I met about 3 USC alums just walking around. One alum who was about 2 years removed from Marshall went out of his way to get me on the right subway line since I was lost and we talked almost like long friends the entire trip. The others were just warm in saying, "Go SC!" etc. </p>
<p>I've heard some amazing stories from friends who've benefitted from the network in odd places. I know one that met an alum in the mid-west and the guy just took him out to a nice dinner with his family simply because he was a SC student. </p>
<p>The alumni network really is an awesome thing. I don't think students truly understand how much of an asset it is until they finish college. When most college students feel detached once they graduate, USC students feel very much linked.</p>
<p>Yesterday, my kids went to the neighborhood candy store. The owner was a USC grad, his nephew will be heading for USC with my son this fall as freshmen. He has several other USC grads in his family. He was beaming to learn that son will be going to USC as well. Brother's buddy's daughter is a junior at USC also. It is interesting where & how the USC "connections" pop up. :) Might be worthwhile buying a class ring if you're not into logowear? Who knows?</p>
<p>Cool stories! I've been flying a lot (2 trips to norcal and one to Houston) and every time I get on a plane I am so eager to try out my little " 'SC experiment", but so far I've only gotten one person who yelled out ("fight on!") when he passed by and it was in Seattle! Is that what everyone's talking about, or do they really stop you and greet you, etc ?</p>
<p>It all depends. Sometimes, they do into a LONG story about all the family & friends who have attended USC while other times, it's more of a passing greeting or acknowledgment. There are LOTS of USC-connected folks in HI.</p>
<p>It works better when you have a reason for approaching them. The summer after my third year (I was in a five year program), I cold-called all the architecture firms in my area trying to find a job. One guy said he didn't think an intern was what he needed, but he was an SC alum, etc. and kept me on the phone for a good 20 minutes talking about what had changed since he'd been there. A week later he called and said he'd changed his mind and had me in for an interview. Hired me on the spot. While I know that my talents got me the job, SC is probably what got me the interview. Of my five jobs so far, four were for SC alum, and one was through an internship program that even got me a scholarship. I've rarely wanted for work due to the strong connections, and at graduation really had my choice of many different firms.</p>