The ABC’s of Sophomore Year (Açai Bowls, Being Adventurous, and Career Preparations)

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Sophomore year is in full swing and I couldn’t be happier to be back on campus! Though the first few weeks have been fast-paced and challenging, they’ve also been rewarding and fun. I’m really excited to share some of the things I’ve been up to with you all, keep reading to discover my culinary endeavors, gameday experiences, and how I’ve leapt into my second year at USC!

Açai Bowls, Avocado Toast, and Adulting

Goodbye to unlimited dining hall swipes, hello meal prepping! This year, I’m living in an apartment in the USC Village, which means it’s up to me to cook for myself. At first, this was a daunting task: I’ve never been gifted in the kitchen, my family often jokes that if it was possible to burn water I’d be the one to do it. However, I was determined to learn, and have made pretty substantial progress since the start of the year if I do say so myself! From acai bowls (can I get much more Californian?) to avocado toast (between my roommates and I there are at least 8 avocados in the apartment at all times) to homemade pizzas (shout out to Trader Joe’s pizza dough) I’ve proved to my parents that yes, I do indeed know how to use a stove. Grocery shopping and cooking have even become incredibly relaxing for me. So while I’m not Chopped material, I’m at least able to function as an adult!

Wake Up It’s Gameday and Other Sophomore Year Battlecries

For USC students, fall semester and gamedays are inextricably bound together. There’s something almost magical in the way campus transforms for home games, as students, alumni, and fans don cardinal and gold and unite behind our football team. Hearing the words “wake up it’s gameday” on Saturday mornings is enough to make me spring out of bed and into gameday attire.

My friends and I are die hard USC fans. We’re the type of people who show up two hours before kick off and stay until the band plays its last notes well after the game has ended. I love the energy of being front and center in one of the country’s most iconic arenas. I leave games exhausted from shouting the USCFight Song, singing Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk, and participating in every chant.

Sophomore year has also allowed me to embark on other adventures outside of football games. One of the great things about having a year under my belt was the fact that I could pick things up where I left off with my friends. In the first week some of my friends and I went to Malibu for a day of hiking, relaxing on the beach, and cliff jumping! Cliff jumping was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done, it really was a great way to start the year. As one of my friends jumped, he yelled “WHAT GRAVITY!” I think it’s a fitting saying for this year. So far, with the support of my friends and family, I’ve been able to overcome and learn from every challenge thrown at me and I really feel like I’ve found my place. For me, a sense of limitless possibility has permeated this year and inspired me to take new chances, explore in new ways, and enjoy every minute of my USC adventure.

Miles’ Resume Draft #1889

Okay, maybe that number is a bit of an exaggeration. But between complete overhauls to minor tweaks I definitely have gone through at least ten drafts of my resume, and let’s not get started on how many cover letters I’ve written. Recruiting for Summer 2019 is in full swing, which means countless nights sending cold emails, attending networking events, and researching companies. Though the hunt for future internships and other opportunities can be stressful, I’ve found that this year I’m much more prepared for the process.

I’m really lucky to have supportive professors, friends, and family helping me edit my applications and coaching me through my stressful days and when I feel overwhelmed. The USC Career Fair and Viterbi Career Conference take place this week; I’m excited to talk to recruiters and learn more about companies I’m applying to.

I may only be a few weeks into the semester but it’s already flying by! I can tell this is going to be a great year, keep checking back for more updates on sophomore year!

[/cs_text][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/5″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h5″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”false” class=”cs-ta-center” style=”color: hsl(0, 95%, 18%);”]About the Author[/x_custom_headline][x_image type=”circle” src=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Miles-Kay-ISE-2021.jpg” alt=”” link=”true” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/miles/” title=”” target=”blank” info=”popover” info_place=”bottom” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=”Miles Industrial and Systems Engineering ’21”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-center”]Miles is a sophomore studying Industrial and Systems Engineering. Click above to find out more![/cs_text][cs_icon_list][cs_icon_list_item title=”@milesvkay” type=”instagram” link_enabled=”true” link_url=”https://www.instagram.com/milesvkay/” link_title=”@milesvkay” link_new_tab=”true” style=”font-size:18px;”]@milesvkay[/cs_icon_list_item][/cs_icon_list][x_gap size=”50px”][x_custom_headline level=”h5″ looks_like=”h5″ accent=”true” class=”cs-ta-center” style=”color: hsl(0, 95%, 18%);”]Check it Out[/x_custom_headline][x_image type=”thumbnail” src=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/engineering_mechanical_3042380_cropped.jpg” alt=”” link=”true” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/study/industrial-and-systems-engineering/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_button size=”mini” block=”true” circle=”false” icon_only=”false” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/study/industrial-and-systems-engineering/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]Industrial and Systems Engineering[/x_button][x_gap size=”30px”][x_image type=”thumbnail” src=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/los-angeles_1.jpg” alt=”” link=”true” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/free-time/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_button size=”mini” block=”true” circle=”false” icon_only=”false” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/free-time/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]LA Life[/x_button][x_gap size=”30px”][x_image type=”thumbnail” src=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/USC-campus-Hahn-plaza.jpg” alt=”” link=”true” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/orgs/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_button size=”mini” block=”true” circle=”false” icon_only=”false” href=”https://viterbivoices.usc.edu/orgs/” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]USC Campus Faves[/x_button][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”false” marginless_columns=”false” class=”cs-ta-left” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column bg_color=”hsla(0, 27%, 74%, 0.03)” fade=”true” fade_animation=”in-from-bottom” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”true” class=”cs-ta-center” style=”color: hsl(0, 96%, 23%);”]More From Viterbi Students[/x_custom_headline][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_recent_posts type=”post” count=”2″ offset=”” category=”” orientation=”horizontal” no_sticky=”true” no_image=”false” fade=”true”][x_recent_posts type=”post” count=”2″ offset=”2″ category=”” orientation=”horizontal” no_sticky=”true” no_image=”false” fade=”true”][x_recent_posts type=”post” count=”2″ offset=”4″ category=”” orientation=”horizontal” no_sticky=”true” no_image=”false” fade=”true”][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]