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Events for February 05, 2025

  • Repeating EventEiS Communications Hub - Tutoring for Engineering Ph.D. Students

    Wed, Feb 05, 2025 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Viterbi School of Engineering Student Affairs

    Workshops & Infosessions


    Viterbi Ph.D. students are invited to drop by the Hub for instruction on their writing and speaking tasks!  All tutoring is one-on-one and conducted by Viterbi faculty.

    Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 222A

    Audiences: Viterbi Ph.D. Students

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    Contact: Helen Choi

    Event Link: https://sites.google.com/usc.edu/eishub/home

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  • Viterbi - Networking for Engineering Students

    Wed, Feb 05, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM

    Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections

    Workshops & Infosessions


    Please register through Handshake. 
    This event is for Viterbi engineering students only. Non-Viterbi students will not be admitted.
    If the in-person RSVP is full, please join the waitlist. The waitlist does not guarantee entry, but you are welcome to stop by the event, and if there is room, you can attend.
    Are you looking to expand your professional network? Join Viterbi Career Connections for "Networking for Engineering Students," an engaging workshop designed to help you learn how to build meaningful connections and leverage them for career success.
    In this engaging workshop, you will:

    Learn why networking is essential for engineering students and how it can help you land internships, job offers, and mentorship opportunities.
    Discover strategies for connecting with professionals in the engineering field, both online and in-person.
    Gain insights into using Viterbi Link, Linkedin, and other platforms to connect with industry experts, alumni, and potential employers.
    Get tips on the elevator pitch, ask meaningful questions, and make a lasting impression at career fairs, employer-hosted events, and networking events.
    Participate in an interactive exercise to help you practice your networking skills in a supportive environment.
    Walk away with action items and resources to start building your professional network.

    Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 211

    Audiences: All Viterbi

    Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Connections

    Event Link: https://usc.joinhandshake.com/

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  • DEN@Viterbi - Online Graduate Engineering Virtual Information Session

    Wed, Feb 05, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM

    DEN@Viterbi, Viterbi School of Engineering Graduate Admission

    Workshops & Infosessions


    Join USC Viterbi School of Engineering for a virtual information session via WebEx, providing an introduction to DEN@Viterbi, our top-ranked online delivery system. Discover the 40+ graduate engineering and computer science programs available entirely online. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect directly with USC Viterbi representatives during the session to discuss the admission process, program details, and the benefits of online delivery.

    WebCast Link: https://uscviterbi.webex.com/weblink/register/r546b3774ff2d7b88794e773c100b3264

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Corporate & Professional Programs

    Event Link: https://uscviterbi.webex.com/weblink/register/r546b3774ff2d7b88794e773c100b3264

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  • PhD Dissertation Defense - Zihao He

    Wed, Feb 05, 2025 @ 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM

    Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science

    University Calendar


    Title: Aligning Large Language Models with Human Perspectives
     
    Date & Time: Wednesday, February 5th - 12:00p - 2:00p
     
    Location: RTH 306  
     
    Committee: Kristina Lerman (Chair, CS), Emilio Ferrara (CS), Marlon Twyman (Communication)  
     
    Abstract: Large Language Models (LLMs) are increasingly deployed in real-world applications. However, their ability to accurately represent diverse human perspectives remains a critical challenge. This thesis investigates LLM alignment, which refers to how closely these models reflect the ideologies, values, and communication styles of specific communities. First, I develop methods for aligning LLMs to online communities and introduce Community-Cross-Instruct, a framework that generates structured instruction-answer pairs to enhance fidelity and scalability. Second, I propose comprehensive evaluation frameworks to assess alignment beyond positional stances, including affective alignment (how well LLMs capture emotional and moral tones) and multidimensional evaluations across authenticity, toxicity, and harm. Finally, I explore ethical risks in alignment, demonstrating how minimal biased data during instruction tuning can shift an LLM’s behavior, raising concerns about ideological manipulation. These findings highlight the technical, evaluation, and ethical complexities of LLM alignment, providing a foundation for ensuring that LLMs reflect diverse human perspectives and stay robust to ideological manipulation.  
     
    Zoom Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/97020518118?pwd=mZeDv2WhswDGTouNvvWFI9NFqhO5KR.1

    Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 306

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Zihao He

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  • Viterbi - CIA STEM Career/Internship Information Session

    Wed, Feb 05, 2025 @ 05:30 PM - 07:30 PM

    Viterbi School of Engineering Career Connections

    Workshops & Infosessions


    Please register through Handshake. This event is for Viterbi engineering students only. Non-Viterbi students will not be admitted.
    IMPORTANT:  Event check-in is first come, first served until room capacity is reached. If you are signing up for the event, it is the expectation that you attend the event or cancel if you are no longer able to attend. 
    Let’s Reach New Heights Together!

    The CIA has numerous full-time STEM-related positions as well as undergraduate and graduate internships and scholarships.
    There are opportunities for foreign travel, language training, and overseas postings. CIA provides competitive salaries, relocation expenses, and student loan repayment programs.
    All positions require US citizenship, relocation to the Washington, DC metropolitan area, and a top-secret security clearance.

    CIA Information Session:  CIA Representatives will provide information regarding the CIA and the variety of STEM-related career and paid internship opportunities available.  The presentation will include details about application process and suggestions for making yourself competitive for employment, including tips for writing a resume and preparing for an interview with CIA.  Undergraduates and Graduates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to attend.
    Of particular interest are the following backgrounds:

    STEAM – Aerospace, AI, Arts, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Electrical/Mechanical Engineer, Hardware-Software Development, Network/System Engineer, Mathematics, Physics…

    Visit us on CIA.GOV/CAREERS, bring a hard copy resume to the Info Session, and sign up to meet with a CIA Recruiter.

    Location: Ronald Tutor Hall of Engineering (RTH) - 211

    Audiences: All Viterbi

    Contact: RTH 218 Viterbi Career Connections

    Event Link: https://usc.joinhandshake.com/

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