Incoming Students

Welcome to USC

Congratulations on joining the Trojan Family! We are excited to welcome you to USC and look forward to supporting you as you prepare for your first semester. The USC Career Center is here to help you explore career options, gain experience, and prepare for future opportunities.

This page provides important information and resources you can review as you get ready to begin your journey at USC.

Accessing Handshake

Handshake is USC’s official career platform where students can explore jobs and internships, register for career events, schedule appointments, and connect with employers.

Important access information

• If you have not registered for classes, do NOT request a student Handshake account through the platform.
• Incoming students are automatically granted access to Handshake within three days after registering for classes.
• Afterwards, you can activate your Handshake account by logging in using Single Sign-On (SSO) with your USC Net ID and password.

Please note: Access to Handshake is provided once the Registrar confirms that you are enrolled in classes.

Typical access timelines

• Fall admits: Mid-July through early August
• Spring admits: Mid-December through early January

What you can do right now

While you wait for Handshake access, we encourage you to explore the following resources to get a head start on your career planning:

Follow us on social media to stay up to date on career tips, events, workshops, and deadlines.

Learn about on-campus employment opportunities available exclusively to USC students.

Understand the career development process to help you navigate your career journey at USC, from self-exploration to applying for opportunities.

Review the internship guide to understand how internships work, how to find them, and how to make the most of your experience.

View upcoming career workshops, recruitment events, and programs designed to help you build skills and connections.

We are excited to work with you and support your success at USC. Welcome, Trojans!