<p>So in discussion about USC, everybody has told me one of the greatest thing is the Trojan Alumni Network. What's so great about it? What makes this network stand out from any other network from any other school? Don't you have to pay and constantly donate? What's the benefit? Do you need the aid of the USC alumni network in order to get a job or what? That's what it seems to imply to me.</p>
<p>i think that if you're staying in the SoCal area, just because you graduated from USC, then it'll open alotta doors for you. it's just like having graduated from a top Ivy league school and applying for a job; it'll get you the interview, up to you to land the job.
i dont think you'll need to pay to stay in the network cause it's like a frat; you attend and you're bros for life. sorry if it's a poor example</p>
<p>The Trojan network people talk about is not an official organization you join upon graduating, although there is something like that. It's more describing just how saturated the job market is in Southern California with Trojans who are supportive of and enthusiastic for fellow alumni to join them. We have a lot of pride in our school, and we like to look out for one another.</p>
<p>I hate to break the bad news to you guys and gals, but at most workplaces picking someone from your alma mater even in part because he/she is from your former school is grounds for dismissal. If you are good enough to get hired, you will get hired.... period. The whole Trojan alumni network is largely a myth, IMO, at least when it comes to the influence it has on hiring decisions. Sure, it can create leads, but nothing more.</p>
<p>so let say two applicants are applying for a job, one graduated from USC, the other from UCLA. They're both top applicants, with same stats and skills and what not.. so would the USC person get hired, with everything else equal??</p>
<p>I agree with GroovyGeek that the network won't land you the job. But the connections for leads can be huge. </p>
<p>S graduated in 2006 and he and many of his friends networked with each other as well as the alumni they met along the way to get their foot in the door for interviews here in LA. His network is growing and if/when he looks to change jobs, that system will be in place even stronger.</p>
<p>But this means you have to get involved at USC. Join clubs- get into leadership positions, social organizations, special interest groups. In additions to having a more interesting and fulfilling college life, some of the people you meet along the way could be life-long friends and possibly a job lead someday!</p>
<p>Uh if that were the case couldn't you do that in ANY university you attend? If a UCLA employer was reviewing two applicants with equal stats and skills, yet one went to USC and UCLA, would he not take the UCLA guy? Would you also not get the same opportunity to get into leadership positions, social organizations, meeting people that may become lifelong friends that may get you a job, etc?</p>
<p>^of course.</p>
<p>But here in Southern California, there is such a huge network of loyal Trojans. And yes, there is a huge network of loyal Bruins. It's a constant argument of who is more loyal. And I'm sure Alumni from other large schools will argue that they are more loyal and have a larger loyal network.</p>
<p>So, of course, this (insert school name) network will work for you in the appropriate city. Personally to me, it just appears that the Trojans are more fanatical out here. There are more Trojan stickers on cars, more USC flags on game day, more cardinal and gold t-shirts, etc. It just seems to stick here more for the Trojans. </p>
<p>Maybe it's a self-fulfilling prophecy: Trojans are supposed to have this "great" Alumni Trojan Network so graduates feel they have to stay in contact with their college friends and when they meet another Trojan Alum, they are supposed to feel the family ties. Whatever it is, it's alive and real here in Southern California. </p>
<p>Try to attend pre-game on campus for a USC football game. There's one place you will experience a piece of the alumni network.</p>
<p>But hey, this is a USC board. So I for one, am biased.</p>
<p>Having gone through the job hunt at least twice now, I can say with certainty that the network matters. A lot. No, it won't get you past the interview, but it may get you to the interview. And in a lot of cases, that's more difficult.</p>
<p>USC and UCLA both offer excellent educations and networks. I wouldn't worry about yourself if you go to either one.</p>
<p>It depends on who do the hiring. Successful alumni tend to bring students from the school they graduated from. Some interviews are easy and some are not. So the interview is just a matter of formality.</p>
<p>I don't think it's so much of an organization as you try to peg it (although there are many various alumni organizations for speicfic things), but rather, a social heirachy. I would assume that its more about getting the connections to getting your foot into the door, whether its through film, theatre, architecture, etc. I think another poster put it right when he said that oftentimes the most difficult step is finding and securing a chance to compete for the job rather than actually getting it.</p>
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Am I really reading this statement correctly? That gettig to the interview is more important than the interview itself? I sure would not want to work at a place like that, because if hiring decisions are made based on an "old boys network", then chances are that promotions and assignment decisions are made on the same principles, which would suck.</p>
<p>^ welcome to the real world??</p>
<p>i'm one to speak, i haven't graduated yet, but from everything i've seen so far and from the people i know, there's no reason for me to believe this isn't the case a lot of the time.</p>
<p>GroovyGeek,</p>
<p>It really depends on the job. Consulting firms are likely to run you through the ringer at least a few times no matter how good your network is. Other less competitive firms, however, may go on connections alone.</p>
<p>This is just from a very specific example I received at the Explore session, but it's great for Annenberg students because there are Annenberg graduates (namely at ABC, Disney, MTV) who specifically call the school and ask for USC students.</p>
<p>Well, I think it is time to remind people that (unfortunately) I am well past my teens, 20-something years past undergrad, have been at more than one interview on both sides of the table, and have hired my fair share of people. I can unequivocally say that at the places I have worked, a personal connection has not gotten anyone hired at or around my level further than a phone screen. I also work with pretty much every company that is "somebody" in my industry, and in my experience they adhere to the same principles. This is in the technology field (semiconductors), perhaps finance/talent/etc industries are vastly different, though I doubt it, unless your daddy's name has many zero's attached to it.</p>
<p>P.S. The above post is nothing more than an example of a lead, not a job. As cc411 stated, leads are important and are often half the battle, but if you don't have the goods a lead is worthless.</p>
<p>I agree completely, but that's why I meant that thats often the hard part if you've got your stuff down.</p>
<p>My husband got his first job after graduating with his masters in EE from USC from a USC alumni particularly during a time when engineering jobs were not abundant in S. California. Therefore, my husband has great vibes about the Trojan Family Network. Also, it is an excellent ice breaker at an interview when you have something in common (USC). Of course, there is no guarantee about getting the job, but networking is key in getting interviews.</p>
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Well, I think it is time to remind people that (unfortunately) I am well past my teens, 20-something years past undergrad, have been at more than one interview on both sides of the table, and have hired my fair share of people. I can unequivocally say that at the places I have worked, a personal connection has not gotten anyone hired at or around my level further than a phone screen. I also work with pretty much every company that is "somebody" in my industry, and in my experience they adhere to the same principles. This is in the technology field (semiconductors), perhaps finance/talent/etc industries are vastly different, though I doubt it, unless your daddy's name has many zero's attached to it.
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<p>I have been working longer than I care to admit and also been on both sides of the table. I have to say its not always the companies that do the most grilling is the best place to work either. For example, Intel, is a complete sweatshop and the interview takes a whole day.</p>