In this article, we’ll highlight two offices—the USC WorkWell Center and the USC Alumni Association—that provide opportunities to learn new skills, expand your network at USC, and give back to the community. The relationships you build could lead to informational interviews, introductions to key contacts, or even future colleagues, as others will have had the opportunity to see you in action.
USC WorkWell Center
The USC WorkWell Center offers programs, resources, and services to USC benefits-eligible faculty, staff, postdocs, and retirees to help them thrive in all areas of work-life wellness. Services fall into five key areas: Health & Well-Being, Counseling, Coaching, Consulting, and Talks & Groups.
The Health & Well-Being Program, in particular, manages the Healthy Campus Advisory Committee, which consists of nine subcommittees:
- Mental Health
- Social Connection and Belonging
- EatWell
- Work-Life Harmony
- MoveWell
- Built Environment and Sustainability
- Financial Wellness
- Communications and Marketing
- Data and Evaluation
Getting involved in one of these subcommittees is a great opportunity to learn about a specific area, help develop content or programs, enhance your leadership skills, and expand your network on campus. Learn more about the Healthy Campus Advisory Committee and its subcommittees here. If you want to get involved, contact Julie Chobdee (jchobdee@usc.edu), Associate Director, Health & Well-Being Program.
USC Alumni Association
If you are among the many USC employees who are also alumni, the USC Alumni Association offers volunteer opportunities that allow you to build new skills and expand your network.
The Alumni Association is organized into communities and committees. Communities include:
- Affinity groups (e.g., Latino Alumni Association, USC Black Alumni Association)
- Age-based groups (e.g., Young Alumni for those under 35, Encore Trojans for those aged 36-71)
- Industry and interest-based networks (e.g., entertainment, sustainability)
Start by attending events to explore different groups and their programming. Then, consider getting involved to further develop your skills and build stronger connections with fellow committee members. Access the USC Alumni Association events calendar here.
The Alumni Association also provides career services through the USC Career Center, including counseling, advising, career development tools, and mentoring opportunities. The Education Career Events offer insights into current and future job market trends, resume and LinkedIn best practices, interview techniques, networking strategies, and lifelong career management. Many of these events are live-streamed—check out the schedule of events to learn about upcoming events.
By engaging with these resources, you can enhance your professional growth, expand your network, and contribute meaningfully to the USC community.