Maymester
Students engage with industry professionals at the world’s most important media, communication, and technology companies from Google to Good Morning America.
An Insider’s View
USC Annenberg’s signature Maymester programs offer an immersive learning experience through the exposure and exploration of various communications and media ecosystems across the country. From Los Angeles to Washington D.C., and New York City, these one- or two-week experiences allow students to get a firsthand glimpse at the convergence and disruption in media, communication, and emerging technologies — and imagine their possible place in it.
In site visits and meetings with industry professionals, students examine the distinct culture, dynamics, and operations of a variety of businesses across the USC Annenberg industries of practice. Daily in-person sessions allow students to engage with host companies and senior executives on a wide breadth of topics from the cultural redefining of work in modern media to the evolution of public communications in politics to the business of sports regionally, nationally, and globally.
Maymester information
Spring 2024 Maymester Programs include:
New York City (May 11-24, 2024)
Applications for the NYC Maymester program are now closed. Please check back in fall 2024 for spring 2025 information.
Washington, D.C. (May 11-24, 2024)
Applications for the Washington, D.C., Maymester program are now closed. Please check back in fall 2024 for spring 2025 information.
Chicago (May 11-May 22, 2024)
Applications for the Chicago Maymester program are now closed. Please check back in fall 2024 for spring 2025 information.
Los Angeles, Sports (May 28-31, 2024)
Applications for the Los Angeles Sports Maymester program will open on November 13 and close on December 8 at 5 p.m. PT. Attend the Zoom information session on November 13 at noon here. Apply here.
Please review program flyers above for more information regarding application dates, eligibility, and program costs. For additional questions, please contact the career services team at katkelly@usc.edu.
Undergraduate students are required to enroll in a 2-unit course for upper division elective credit. Graduate students are required to enroll in a 2-unit directed research course dependent upon their degree program. Course enrollment information is provided to students upon acceptance into the program early in the spring semester.
Program costs range from $500 to $3,500 depending on the location and duration of the program.
Accepted students may petition the Financial Aid office for extra funding to cover program costs. Funding is not guaranteed.
Reflections
“ Expertise matters. It matters a great deal, and I think it's going to matter in the newsrooms of the future.
—Sam Sifton, Food and Cooking Editor, The New York Times
“ When you first get hired, you're hired for your potential.
—Marissa Fuhrer, Global Accounts & Partnerships, Dropbox