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 - its 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 Saafiyah Patel (Computer Science, Class of 2025).
Episodes
353 episodes
Early Start: Career Development as an Underclassman
In this episode, Xavier speaks with Christian Corona, a fellow sophomore in civil engineering, talking about how to get an early start on professional opportunities and work on your career as an underclassman. They talk about organizations, car...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 355
•
1:07:08
.png)
The Road to Graduation
Taylor and her senior peers reflect on their past seven semesters at USC, recognize their growth and accomplishments, and share advice for anyone in their academic journey!
•
Season 10
•
Episode 354
•
1:21:36
.png)
Navigating College as an International Student
In this episode, Saafiyah sits down with Joel Etchri, a mechanical engineering student from Macau, as he reflects on his college journey in Los Angeles. Joel opens up about the challenges and rewards of studying far from home, navigating a new ...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 353
•
42:42
.png)
Beyond the Circuit: Unraveling Misconceptions in ECE
In this episode, Cecilia reflects with Leire, Jessica, and Talise on their experiences so far as Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) majors. They discuss what they got wrong and right about their major, and what advice they would give t...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 352
•
56:39
.png)
MEDesign: Why does your heart beat for BME?
In this episode, Ishaani sits down with Matthew (BME '26) and Eddie (BME '26), members of MEDesign, USCs premier medical device design club. Join them as they explore how Biomedical Engineering students in MEDesign are turning their passion for...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 351
•
1:00:32
.png)
Life At USC: Balancing Engineering while Maximizing Your College Experience
In this episode, Karissa speaks with Krishna Srikanth, a fellow Viterbi student, to discuss life at USC while pursuing rigorous majors and minors. They chat about everything related to enjoying life and doing well at USC: social life, clubs, in...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 350
•
1:16:04
Women in Engineering: Voices of Viterbi's Club Presidents
In this episode, Hannah speaks with some of the fabulous women in engineering leading Viterbi Clubs and Organizations. They discuss their time in SWE, CAIS++, ScopeSC, ADT, and Shift along with their experience at Viterbi and beyond!
•
Season 10
•
Episode 349
•
1:23:52
.png)
Exploring Computer Science Programs at Viterbi
In this episode, USC Viterbi students Riya, Cody, Aditya, and Agnes share their experiences in various Computer Science programs. They discuss how they chose the right computer science major for them, their classes, and how they balance their c...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 348
•
46:03
.png)
Recruitment Rewind: Senior Engineers Speak
In this episode, we sit down with a senior Mechanical Engineering student and a senior Industrial Engineering student to discuss their experiences with recruiting in their final year of college. They share valuable insights, strategies, and tip...
•
Episode 347
•
36:03
.png)
Life after Biomedical Engineering: A Post-Graduate Perspective
In this episode, Gerson chats with recently graduated friends that studied Biomedical Engineering at USC. They talk about what they have been up to, law school, medical school, industry, consulting, research, and plenty more!
•
Season 10
•
Episode 346
•
56:02
The Los Angeles College Experience
In this episode, Victoria speaks with Grace Hutapea about their experiences being college students in Los Angeles. They discuss professional opportunities through USC, exploring the LA area and food scene, the perks of living in a big city, and...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 345
•
39:56
From USC to the World: The Viterbi Study Abroad Experience
In this episode, Ava chats with Irith and Keyvette about their study abroad experiences in London, Brighton, and Singapore. They discuss the unique challenges of studying engineering abroad, balancing academics with travel, adapting to new cult...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 344
•
1:15:11
CS + CE: Computer Science and your College Experience
In this episode, Jake is joined by a fellow student, Alex Forgosh. They discuss their shared experience of balancing a computer science/engineering degree with playing collegiate sports, leading clubs, pursuing hobbies, and keeping up with thei...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 343
•
53:00
From Prison Bars to Mars: Addiction, Incarceration, NASA, and Coffee with Breece Phipps (BS, MS ASTE '22)
In this episode, Paul speaks with Viterbi alumnus Breece Phipps (BS, MS ASTE '22) about his remarkable journey from addiction and incarceration to becoming a Propulsion System Flight Controller at NASA. Breece opens up about his unconventional ...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 342
•
1:38:08
.png)
*LIVE* at the Move-in Day Parents Reception
In this episode, Paul and Ava conduct live interviews with new USC parents as they help move their first-year students onto campus. Tune in to hear valuable advice from parents who have traveled from near and far, and get their thoughts on beco...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 341
•
56:21
Voltage, Electrons, & Spacecraft Systems with Shayna Goldberger (ECE '18, MS ASTE '22)
In this episode, Paul speaks with Viterbi alumna Shayna Goldberger (ECE '18, MS ASTE '22) about her career as a spacecraft systems engineer at Millennium Space Systems. Shayna shares insights into her studies in both electrical and astronautica...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 340
•
1:27:51
.png)
Debunking Viterbi Admission Myths: Inside Scoop with Admission Counselors
In this episode, Saafiyah sits down with Viterbi admission counselors to address common myths and answer the "burning questions" students have about the admissions process. They discuss everything from how to stand out as an applicant to the re...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 339
•
1:15:48
Engineering in Society with Professor Steve Bucher
Viterbi Voices is back with Season 10! In the pilot episode, Paul sits down with Professor Steve Bucher, the director of the Engineering in Society (EiS) Program. Steve developed and led the engineering writing program that evolved into the EiS...
•
Season 10
•
Episode 338
•
1:43:02
Season 9 Finale & Host Hand-Off
Join us for Maya's last podcast as our co-host! Maya and Paul wrap up season 9 of the Viterbi Voices podcast and introduce the next co-host... Saafiyah! They talk about plans for the future, plans for the podcast, and Taylor Swift (as always!)....
•
Season 9
•
Episode 337
•
41:26
.png)
How to Dominate College: A Reflection From Soon-to-Be Graduates
In this episode, USC Viterbi seniors Maya (ISE '24), Nick (ASTR '24), Peyton (ME '24), and Victoria (ME '24) reflect on their past 4 years at USC. They discuss what they thought they would do, what they actually did, and how t...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 336
•
1:19:02
.png)
Mechanical Engineering Senior Design Projects: A Suspension System for Rovers on Mars
In this episode, Peyton is joined by her senior design team members Misha and Pono. They discuss a novel suspension system they designed for Martian rovers during their mechanical engineering degree capstone course at USC. Listen in as they dis...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 335
•
37:00
.png)
Cybersecurity, Social Media Influencing, Tech. Consulting and Solving Complex Problems with Caitlin Sarian (BS Mech. Engr., MS Engr. Mgmt)
In this episode, Paul interviews Viterbi alum Caitlin about her career and time at USC. Caitlin speaks about moving around in her career through cybersecurity, consulting, and social media influencing. Listen for a great conversation with cyber...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 334
•
1:47:37
.jpg)
Black Student Lives in Engineering at USC Viterbi
In this episode, Taylor interviews Carlton (CSBA '27), Cecil (Mech '24, M.S. Aero '25), Eliana (ISE '26), and Rachel Amir (BME '24) about their lives and time at Viterbi. They discuss why they chose USC, involvements , finding community a...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 331
•
55:47
.jpg)
Environmental Remediation, Decarbonization, and the Department of Energy with Bria Jamison (ENE '18, MS Green Technologies, '19)
In this episode, Paul speaks with Viterbi alumna Bria Jamison (ENE '18, MS Green Technologies, '19) about her career as an environmental consultant, an engineer, and a fellow at the Department of Energy. They discuss the discipline of environme...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 330
•
1:41:27
.jpg)
Student Wellness & Adjusting to New Challenges in College with Lorena Duran, LCSW, Ed.D.
In this episode, Paul speaks with Lorena Duran (LCSW, Ed.D.) from USC about student wellness at for engineering students in Viterbi. Wellness is a priority at USC to encourage students to do their best work and be their best selves. They discus...
•
Season 9
•
Episode 317
•
1:18:14
.jpg)