By: Justine Saquilayan

You don’t usually think about what happens after the caps are tossed to the sky and the camera-wielding commencement crowds are dispersed. My naiveté once led me to believe that time came to a standstill after the last course final, a preconception that was swiftly crushed this summer as I explored the ins-and-outs of working as a Communications Specialist in the world of academia.

The Graduate School, a branch of the Office of the Provost, granted me insight into the inner-workings of a top-tier university. Let me tell you – I have never been placed in a situation where the offerings are so plentiful that the struggle is communicating that an academic office could be that all-encompassing.

With the Vice Provost of Graduate Program’s staff of about fifteen, the Graduate School serves the entire graduate population of USC – a group of students numbering over 22,000. We confer all Ph.D. and Master’s degrees, handle thesis submission, oversee fellowships, offer professionalization events and workshops and so much more.

A typical day included meeting with Deans and the Vice Provost, feverishly creating communications materials, and managing our social media accounts. In just a few months, we completely revamped the thesis submission process (take note, grad students!), organized the new graduate student orientation and all-around made life easier and more convenient for USC students.

When I wasn’t working with the Graduate School, I could be found laughing with my awesome and hilarious co-workers, swimming in the Pacific Ocean, concocting delicious baked goods and browsing Pinterest for the latest and greatest wedding ideas.

This summer, not only was I able to sharpen my communications tools (Photoshop, Photoshop, Photoshop!), but I learned first-hand that the university never stops working for us. There has never been a better time to be part of the Trojan Family.

Fight On!

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