Hello USC Annenbergers!
My name is Chen and I graduated in 2013 from MCM. Before the last semester in Annenberg, I'd already started my job in Wikia in San Francisco. Wikia was built up by the same founder of Wikipedia - Jimmy Wales, but instead, we are a profitable Internet company structured by our own CEO. Every month we have billions of global visitors coming to our website and contributing to thousands of pop culture communities covering topics of games, entertainment, lifestyle, music, etc. We call us a Social Fandom, created by fans, for fans.
I worked here as a Chinese community manager in the International community team, and my daily work is developing and supporting global Chinese communities and teaming up with every department to build up a strong foundation for Wikia in Chinese language.
If someone asks me about how the program helped me with my career, that's probably not an easy question to answer. MCM is like a package: it's not about an interesting class you take or a chill professor you like; it's about how your social, learning, professional and practical skills get polished by the program in all aspects. I would like to share some key suggestions before you start your first MCM class:
Try Your Best in Every Presentation
Almost all MCM classes need you to present some projects with a team or by yourself. Remember, it is not just about finishing a job or getting an A+ from your professor; it's about how you catch people's attention, shoot your key points in a limited time, form a strategy to sell your ideas to the audiences, and also let it make sense. Because in the future at some point, you are going to give presentations in front of your boss, your team or your clients, and nobody has time to listen to bullshit or wants to waste his/her time. Try your best in every presentation, get feedback from your professors, classmates or your team, and improve on it next time. It definitely can help you sharpen the presentation skills and stand out of the team at workplace. Trust me, not everyone is good at selling and I even met a few sales people at workplace who were really shy or didn't know what they were talking about when giving speeches. MCM program provides you a great opportunity to be a leader in the future.
Networking As Much As Possible
MCM is a master's degree, and if you are trying to spend all of your time in the library to figure out how to write a perfect APA essay, I would say you have actually failed the program. MCM is all about practical and networking. Go out and meet different people, listen to their stories, take classes in other schools, join school events as many as possible, talk to the guests invited to your classes, etc. MCM gives you a lot of networking opportunities out of classes and let you make up your weakness from learning from real people and real stories. It helps you ready to be a very competitive and excellent candidate when you are back to the job market some day. Many of our MCM professors will bring guest speakers to the classes, which is not many other programs can offer. You can take this good opportunity and find out what you are interested in or who you want to be in the future.
I might not remember what exactly I've learnt in every class two years ago, but I still remember those guest speakers' great lectures. Professor David Craig once brought a guest speaker to the class and the person drew a broken line without rules on the blackboard. He told us that's the real path for most successful people in the world, instead of a straight climbing line. Professor Paula Woodley brought to the class an entrepreneur who gave us a great speech about how he successfully built up and developed his marketing company. His charming personality conquered everyone in the class and encouraged us to be as successful as him some day.
After many years, you probably won't remember what was taught in a class, but I'm sure you will remember all of these great moments MCM leaves to you. These sparkles help you evolve yourself and permanently benefit you in the rest of the life.
MCM is a Privilege
USC is a brand, and MCM is a privilege. You learn, practice, grow, fail, evolve, and finally be ready. Remember, you are not just a trojan; you are also an Annenberger. MCM program doesn't just let you compete with your classmates or other students in Hollywood; it makes you become a warrior before going to any larger battle. We have so many great alumni you can reach out to and they will teach you tons of lessons out of school. If you feel shy to ask for help from them, don't worry! Because MCM has so many projects pushing you out of your comfort zones and find your own ways to get in touch with these alumni. Don't feel bad if they cannot help you at some point because it's nobody's duty for helping you; but appreciate them if they offer help on your projects or your career, and keep in touch with them since they can be great mentors. They help to broaden your visions and let you get a closer look to the industry that you want to jump in. Our MCM alumni don't just work in Hollywood, marketing or PR, but also in all different arenas such as tech, medical, retail, non-Profit, global corporate, etc. Once you are ready to go on the track, please remember, pass along this privilege to other students who need your help some day. That's the spirit of USC and Annenberg, and that's what you will gain from this program.
Fight on!
Chen Shen