The Five Mindsets of GCSP
The Five Mindsets are domains of thinking necessary to tackle Grand Challenges and are the areas in which students must engage in at least one activity or experience to be considered a Viterbi Grand Challenges Scholar.Talent/Research
Mentored research or project experience related to a Grand Challenge: Participate in an approved team project, senior capstone project, design project or research project related to one of the Grand Challenge Topics.
Multidisciplinary
Understanding gained through multidisciplinary studies: participate in activities and courses outside the engineering curriculum that will complement the technical curriculum such as public policy, business, law, ethics, art, sociology, natural sciences, etc.
Viable Business/ Entrepreneurship
Understanding of viable business models gained through curricular or co-curricular experience. Students should be prepared to translate invention and innovation and to develop market ventures that can scale to global solutions to the Grand Challenges.
Multicultural
Understanding gained through multidisciplinary studies: participate in activities and courses outside the engineering curriculum that will complement the technical curriculum such as public policy, business, law, ethics, art, sociology, natural sciences, etc.
Social Consciousness
Understanding that engineering solutions should primarily serve people and society reflecting social consciousness. Students should participate in curricular or co-curricular activities and experiences that deepen social awareness and help to develop motivation to bring technical expertise to bear on societal problems.
General Timeline for Viterbi GCSP
While the journey may vary based on when a student becomes a member of the Viterbi family and joins GCSP, the general framework for GCSP looks as follows:Discover: Underclass years (1st and 2nd year):
Students explore their interests in and around Viterbi while finding subjects and topics in which they may find passion. Students receive advisement on how to be engaged on campus and which opportunities to pursue, while participating in any available GCSP activities.
Development: 3rd or Junior year:
Having become familiarized to USC and Viterbi, students have an understanding of their interests. Students have more target involvement in activities related to their career and educational objectives, as well as Grand Challenges. Students identify a particular Grand Challenge or theme they would like to address.
Implementation: Senior year
Students prepare for the end of their undergraduate time at Viterbi by applying experiences towards career aspirations and/or graduate school opportunities. Students have a strong understanding of their interests and further pursue targeted experiences on campus. Students may participate in capstone courses and research symposiums while applying for Viterbi GCSP Designation.