What impact did your graduate experience have on your professional trajectory?

Attending Annenberg helped me get hired at the company that leads the world in GPU-accelerated computing with an over 50 percent increase in my salary. Annenberg has the best of the best in programs, professors, leaders, advisors, and guest speakers, which makes its graduates highly competitive and sought after.

What from your USC Annenberg education best equips you to face the challenges of your field today?

My experience at Annenberg helped prepare me to be a better employee and to do all of my work with a level of excellence. From the critique of my writing to the experiences being a part of and leading group projects, to the rigor of the course material, Annenberg taught me to seek challenges and be a creator of solutions.

What advice would you give for someone considering graduate studies at USC?

Take your time to do your research before applying. I first attended a USC event for a master’s in PR program in the summer of 2012. I didn’t end up applying until the spring of 2017 and ended up in the master’s in communications. By taking the time to work, understand me, and what I wanted to get out of my professional experience, I was able to understand the program that was best for me and would help my future. I am glad I waited, did my research, and ended up in the program that best fit my career goals.

What is the one thing that a USC Annenberg student ought to take advantage of while enrolled?

Networking! The classes are great but networking will bring so much value to your post-graduate career. Most of my professional opportunities during the program and after came from connections I made with professors or guest speakers/advisors during my time in the program.

Hinton’s notable projects:

• NPN CSP Program: Creating communications, marketing, and social collateral announcing enhancements expanding hardware and software offerings in the cloud and value propositions.
• Meet the Experts Webinar series: Launching marketing and social for webinar series engaging CSP customers.