Viterbi Voices: The Podcast
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 - it's all up for discussion with regular appearances and interviews with special guests. Viterbi Voices: The Podcast is hosted by Paul Ledesma (Executive Director, Undergraduate Admission) and current student Hannah Fonseca (Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2027).
Episodes
In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumnus Alex Budde to talk about his journey from pre-med to biomedical engineering and his career developing life-saving medical devices at Abbott. Alex shares insights from working on the MitraClip system in the structural heart space, reflects on the importance of hands-on experience in the medical device industry, and discusses how his time at USC helped shape both his professional p...
We're back! In this episode, Paul and Hannah sit down with Elisabeth Weiss, a professor who teaches WRIT 340. They discuss her journey to becoming a professor, the hands-on projects and initiatives she has developed for the course, and why strong writing and technical communication are essential skills for engineers. The conversation is especially meaningful as Hannah reflects on her experience as one of Professor Weiss’s stud...
In this episode, Karissa (ME '27) sits down with MADLab Researchers Haozheng Ma (3rd Year PhD BME) and Callie Luong (ME '27) to learn more about their paths into biomedical research and how it has transformed their experience here at USC. They discuss what drew them to the MADLab, how they balance time researching with their busy schedules, and provide further insight for anyone interested in joining a research lab at USC...
In this episode, Talise (ECE '27) sits down with Jessica (ECE '27) to talk about her summer internship at Northrop Grumman, how USC helped her get the job, succeed in the internship, and how the internship shaped her future at USC. They discuss specific classes at USC and how those skills can be applied to industry jobs, and general advice for students hoping to work in electrical and computer engineering industry roles.
In this episode, Sophie (CHE '28) sits down with Sidha Kunada (ENE '27) and Taara Shastri (ENE '28) to discusses their involement in Engineers Without Borders, the communities formed through club engagement, and dealing with feelings of accomplishment in projects that can take years to complete.
Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
In this episode, Sarah (BME '28, pre-med) sits down with Cedric (BME '28, pre-med) and Mattice (CHE ' 28, pre-law) to discuss the ins and outs of pursuing a career path other than traditional engineering with an engineering degree. They discuss the various resources that they utilize here at USC, staying involved within both the engineering and the pre-med or pre-law realms, balancing their course loads, and advice t...
In this episode, Cecilia Betancourt (ECE '27) sits down with a heavily involved RPL member and ASPEN lead, Autumn Zaretsky (ASTE '27), and discusses what it's like to be heavily involved in campus extracurriculars and what that means for academics. They highlight how to manage your time while simultaneously getting the most you can out of your college experience.
In this episode, Keilani (CSBA '27) sits down with Daisy Fregoso (CS '28) and Sophie Hyun (CS Games '28) to discuss the variety and overlap of the different Computer Science majors and their different experiences and applications. They discuss their various CS classes and interdisciplinary curriculum, as well as how these are all integrated with engineering by design and potential career options.
In this episode of USC Racing Spotlight, Naya (Mechanical Engineering ’26), Powertrain Co-Lead, sits down with Katherine (Mechanical Engineering ’26), Project Manager for SCR26, Monica (Mechanical Engineering ’27), Composites Co-Lead, and Caroline (Mechanical Engineering ’27), Powertrain Co-Lead, to dive into the technical and collaborative efforts that define USC Racing.
USC Racing is a student-run design team with 25+ years of rac...
In this episode, Xavier (CE '27) sits down with members of the USC chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), including the current president Mitch Kirby (CE '26), project executive Ariana Robles (CE '25), and the leaders of several different design teams.
Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
In this episode, Mitchell Kirby (Civil Engineering ’26) who is Founder and President of the Association of Energy Engineers sits down with David Moseley (Environmental Engineering ‘27) the AEE Design Teams Lead & Marine Energy Design Team Lead and Reeth Kawad (Mechanical Engineering ‘26) the AEE Outreach Lead & Wind Design Team Lead to talk about USC’s Hub for all things renewable energy— the Association of Energy Engineers...
In this episode, Gerson (BME '26) sits down with Dominic (BME '27) and Jaron (BME '26) to chat about their involvement in the Associated Students of Biomedical Engineering (ASBME). They reflect on the impact ASBME has had on their careers and personal lives, all while sharing fun anecdotes.
Text us a Question or Comment - it may be on our next episode!
In this episode, Jessica (AME '28) sits down with Hannah (BME '28) to talk about her role as a Build Lead and Lab Manager of USC's student-led AeroDesign Team. Hannah shares an exclusive insight into the team's aircraft design process, the ins and outs of their lab space, and her path to team leadership as an underclassman. This conversion explores how students interested in hands on experience can get involved ...
In this episode, Paul sits down with Daisy Benitez, an environmental engineer at PepsiCo, to talk about her work in global sustainability initiatives, her journey from engineering student to sustainability professional, and her experiences living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Daisy shares insights on reducing plastic use, developing sustainable packaging, and why sustainability has become a business imperative. Along the way, she ...
In this episode, Paul reconnects with Viterbi alumna Alex Coco, Amazon AIR manager, to discuss his path from earning both a B.S. in Astronautical Engineering and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at USC to building a career in aerospace and logistics. Alex reflects on his professional journey from Boeing to Amazon, the lessons he carried forward from his time at USC, and how he has developed systems to balance work, family, and per...
In this episode, Paul and Hannah sit down with Lauren (Howe) Johnson to reflect on the twists and turns of her USC journey, from navigating indecision around majors to finding unexpected opportunities in engineering, leadership, and travel. Lauren shares how studying abroad in Rome shaped her perspective, how she used data to improve admissions strategy, and what transitioning from consulting to program management at Intuit was lik...
In this episode, Paul sits down with Erik Johnson and Gaurav Sukhatme to discuss the launch of a brand-new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree program coming in Fall 2026. Together, they explore how the program was developed, the three specialized tracks it will offer, and what makes it distinct from computer science and other engineering majors. The conversation also covers AI’s growing role across industries, th...
In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumna Makana Krulce to explore her journey from studying polymers at USC to working in global pharmaceutical consulting. Makana shares how her hands-on experience in Germany shaped her career, reflects on founding the USC student organization Queers in Engineering, Science, and Technology (QUEST), and discusses the challenges of bringing cutting-edge therapies to market. They also dive ...
In this episode, Paul sits down with Jennifer, a college admission counselor best known as Jenn the Tutor, to debunk myths and misconceptions about getting into college. Jennifer shares her journey from law school to education, her community-oriented approach to guiding students, and why she believes authenticity matters more than chasing prestige. They dive into how social media and cultural pressures fuel admission anxiety, the i...
In this episode, Paul speaks with Viterbi alumna Natalie Dana (Alvarez) about her interdisciplinary path through civil engineering and architecture, her career in sustainable construction at Turner Construction, and how her time at USC, from study abroad to football games, shaped her journey. They also discuss the future of engineering education, AI literacy, and the evolving role of universities in a rapidly changing world.
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