Yi Wang: A Distant Trojan

by Sharon Hong

Yi Wang (MS CSCI’06) is the proud holder of an MS in Computer Science from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, but he’s never actually set foot on the USC campus. In fact, the most he’s ever seen of California is the security line at LAX. Wang’s USC educational experience revolves around the 17-inch flat-screen computer monitor.

Wang earned his degree through the Viterbi School’s Distance Education Network (DEN) using technology that lets full-time working professionals earn degrees entirely online. A senior software manager at Motorola, Wang was halfway through a master’s program in computer engineering at the University of Illinois, when he saw a magazine advertisement for USC’s DEN.

“Had I known about DEN earlier, I wouldn’t have wasted so much time on commutes to downtown Chicago,” says Wang. “Viterbi is a leader in software engineering and DEN made it accessible to get high quality education without quitting my job. Deciding to enroll in DEN was a no-brainer.”

Wang, however, proved he had more than enough brains by completing his degree with straight A’s. His wife, Hong-Hsi was instrumental in providing an environment that allowed Wang to focus on his studies.

“My wife was very supportive of me…I was relieved from house chores when I was studying or watching lectures,” Wang says fondly. “Of course, life has returned to its old mode after my graduation.”

Wang’s education at USC helped him transition within Motorola from engineering to the Intellectual Asset Management team. He attributes obtaining this promotional transfer to the education he received from the Viterbi School. “It gave instant credibility to my ability and potential,” he says.

In addition to his regular position at Motorola, Wang became a DEN ambassador. His positive experience as a DEN student was constantly a conversation piece with fellow colleagues who expressed the desire to pursue further education.

“Even before I was formally appointed by DEN as a DEN ambassador at Motorola, I had been actively advocating for DEN. If I knew that any of my co-workers or friends were interested in a degree in engineering, I’d tell them that Viterbi via DEN is the best choice,” Wang shares. “I’m planning on doing more to increase DEN’s visibility in Motorola and help secure DEN as the program of choice when it comes to graduate education in engineering.”

Wang is especially proud of his role in bringing about DSA, the DEN Student Association. Surprised that there was no student organization for the hundreds of registered students and DEN alumni all over the country, Wang contacted DEN suggesting formation of a DEN student group. Through Wang’s pro-activity and the help of Cami Lee, DSA advisor, a group of enthusiastic DEN students brought the DSA into existence.

“I felt that we ought to have our own community in which we can share our experience, form study groups, make new friends, network and have some fun together,” says Wang.

Yi Wang (third from left) and the tutoring team at Motorola.

Wang also started a University and High School Relations group for his company. As part of Motorola’s Asian Business Council, Wang conceived of and planned the execution of a tutoring program where over 50 Motorola employees helped high school students with math homework in local libraries. He started the program in 2003 at the Schaumburg Township District Library, and later expanded it in 2005.

The group now helps students at all three branches of the Schamburg library and at another library in Gurnee, Illinois. And Wang’s group is in touch with Motorola employees outside of Illinois with the goal of establishing programs in each of the communities where Motorola has a significant presence.

“We’ve had parents come to thank us for all we have done, and teachers tell us that we helped a student graduate,” he says proudly. Wang’s team was named Volunteer Organization of the Year by the Village of Schaumburg in 2006 and received the Motorola CEO Volunteerism Award this past month. “I like teaching. To me, it’s also a way of learning.”

Currently, the most enjoyable thing in Wang’s life is being father to his four-month-old daughter, Ivy. Wang has been enjoying every minute since Ivy’s arrival, and he has been motivated to work even harder.

“I don’t have any specific dreams for her yet,” Wang says of his baby daughter. But if he were to imagine a particular university in little Ivy’s future, he says, “I would certainly like her to go to my alma mater.”