University of Southern California
The University of Southern California offers undergraduates several routes into consulting, from campus-wide case interview preparation to student-led consulting projects for businesses and nonprofits. Students can use the USC Career Center to track employer events and applications, while organizations affiliated with USC Marshall provide opportunities to practice consulting skills and work with clients. These resources are relevant to students exploring management consulting, strategy, and specialized consulting careers.
Consulting clubs
The Consulting Club at USC: USC’s EngageSC directory describes this as an undergraduate organization focused on consulting recruitment and case preparation, with opportunities to consult on real projects for companies. It is a direct starting point for students who want to build case interview skills and learn about consulting careers. The club’s directory page includes its leadership and contact information; students should check with the current team for upcoming meetings and the active recruitment process.
180 Degrees Consulting at USC: This undergraduate-led social-impact consultancy works with nonprofits, social enterprises, and other socially minded organizations in the Los Angeles community. Students can gain experience developing recommendations for clients while learning how consulting skills apply to mission-driven organizations. Confirm current project openings and recruitment details through the chapter’s official site.
Association of Innovative Marketing (AIM) Consulting: Listed among Marshall’s undergraduate organizations, AIM Consulting works with clients across industries on strategic projects, including data-driven recommendations for brands, startups, and nonprofits. Its stated member benefits include real-world experience and professional development. This can be useful for students interested in marketing strategy or client-facing work, although students should distinguish this experience from generalist management consulting recruitment.
Los Angeles Community Impact and RISE Consulting: Marshall also lists Los Angeles Community Impact, which provides pro bono consulting to socially minded organizations in the greater Los Angeles area, and RISE Consulting, whose undergraduate students provide pro bono consulting to early-stage ventures. Both offer routes to project experience outside traditional recruiting. Check their official organization pages for current status, membership requirements, and client work.
Career services support
USC’s Career Center maintains a dedicated Consulting and Finance channel for industry information, upcoming events, and internship and full-time opportunities. Its broader job-search resources direct students to Handshake for job listings, recruiting events, and career advising appointments. USC also hosts Trojan Talks, where employers introduce their organizations and give students opportunities to connect with professionals.
Currently enrolled students can access Management Consulted through USC’s Handshake Resources tab, including case studies, video courses, and practice exercises. Use the resources alongside repeated live cases with peers so you can practice structuring problems, communicating calculations, and explaining recommendations aloud.
Recruiting timeline
USC advises students that consulting, banking, and some other industries can begin recruiting for summer internships up to a year in advance, with much of the activity taking place during the fall semester. The university also notes that some large employers recruit seniors for full-time roles and juniors for internships during fall. These are general patterns rather than fixed dates for every consulting firm.
Check Handshake throughout the fall for consulting employer events, internship listings, and application deadlines, and follow each target firm’s official career page. USC’s consulting and finance channel is another place to monitor relevant events and opportunities. Start case preparation before applications open, and use Career Center coaching or a consulting organization to identify gaps in your résumé, behavioral stories, and case interview performance.