Why Marshall
Leadership
Dean Geoffrey Garrett
Dean's Cabinet
Boards
Real-World Learning
Human Leadership
Tech Fluency
Global Opportunities
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Teaching + Innovation
Experiential Learning Center
Open Expression Statement
Programs
Undergraduate Programs
Admissions
Degrees
BS Business Administration (BUAD)
Business Emphases
BS Accounting (ACCT)
World Bachelor in Business (WBB)
BS Business of Cinematic Arts (BCA)
BS Artificial Intelligence for Business (BUAI)
Undergraduate Minors
Graduate Programs
MBA Programs
Full-Time MBA (FTMBA)
Executive MBA (EMBA)
Part-Time MBA (MBA.PM)
International MBA (IBEAR)
Online MBA (OMBA)
Specialized Masters
MS Business Administration (MSBUSAD)
MS Business Analytics (MSBA)
MS Entrepreneurship + Innovation (MSEI)
MS Finance (MSF)
MS Global Supply Chain Management (MSGSCM)
MS Marketing (MSMKT)
MS Social Entrepreneurship (MSSE)
Master of Business for Veterans (MBV)
Master of Management Studies (MMS)
Accounting Masters
Master of Accounting (MAcc)
Master of Business Taxation (MBT)
Master of Business Taxation for Working Professionals (MBT.WP)
PhD Program
Accounting
Data Sciences + Operations
Finance
Management + Organization
Marketing
Graduate Certificates
GC in Business Analytics
GC in Financial Analysis + Valuation
GC in Management Studies
GC in Marketing
GC in Optimization + Supply Chain Management
GC in Strategy + Management Consulting
GC in Sustainability + Business
GC in Technology Commercialization
GC in Library and Information Management – Online
Executive Education Redirect
Departments
Business Communication (BUCO)
Faculty
Data Sciences and Operations (DSO)
Finance + Business Economics (FBE)
Leventhal School of Accounting (ACCT)
Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies (BAEP)
Management and Organization (MOR)
Marketing (MKT)
Institutes + Centers
Peter Arkley Institute for Risk Management
Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab
Center for Investment Studies
Initiative on Digital Competition
Randall R. Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute
Center for Effective Organizations
Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
VanEck Digital Assets Initiative
Institute for Outlier Research in Business
Center for Global Innovation
Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making
Trojan Network
Recruiting
Undergraduate
Graduate
Career Services
Giving + Support
Alumni Engagement + Resources
Student Organizations
Commencement
From Student to Professional
“At the heart of every WBBer, there is a spirit for adventure.”
That is how recent World Bachelor in Business (WBB) alumnus, Grant Calderone, described the fellow students and world travelers in the program during an interview with the USC Hong Kong International Office.
WBB is a first-of-its-kind, joint-degree program between the USC Marshall School of Business, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and Bocconi University. As a cohort, students travel to Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Milan to spend each year at a different university, receiving diplomas from all three schools.
Graduates of the program are known for their bold sense of ambition and resilience, traits that not only land them coveted job offers, but also cement their futures in business around the globe. That includes Calderone, who is now a foreign exchange (FX) sales associate at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Hong Kong.
Born and raised in Orange County, California, Calderone always had a passion for meeting new people, trying new things and tasting new foods, all of which are never in short supply throughout the WBB program. What Calderone loved most was the opportunity to start anew every year, blending into the local communities everywhere he went.
“I actually lived on a different continent every year for the last six years because of WBB, and my cultural perspective has grown exponentially. My greatest strength now is my cultural awareness because I was able to experience all of these things firsthand,” he said.
Calderone further expressed his appreciation for the practicality of WBB’s courses.
“Everything is so hands-on. We often learn from real business practitioners who come in to teach, and we study real business cases with them. I’m so glad I didn’t have to spend four years only sitting in a lecture hall,” he said.
From Student to Professional in Hong Kong
When asked what drove him to pursue a position in Hong Kong, Calderone recalled some of his favorite WBB memories: taking a break from his busy school schedule to catch a boxing match and exploring pirate caves on a nearby island.
Unsurprisingly, the energy of Hong Kong also molded nicely into Calderone’s chosen career path at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
“To me, Asia’s currency market is so much more interesting and dynamic than the other markets, and at the same time there is such potential for growth,” he explained.
Who Applies?
For students considering joining the WBB, Calderone advised that it all comes down to making sure one’s mindset aligns with the program.
Not having the traditional, four-year college experience on a campus that feels like home might not be for everyone, but if you have a passion for international culture and chasing new opportunities, it could be a great fit, said Calderone
“There’s never a dull moment here in WBB,” Calderone said. “If this sounds like something you love, then there’s no need to overthink about applying.”
To learn more about Calderon, check out his LinkedIn.
About the Author:
Allison Ou is a digital content intern for the USC Hong Kong International Office and a senior in the World Bachelor in Business program with a specialization in applied analytics. Originally from Guangzhou, China, Ou grew up as an expat child in many different cities around the world. WBB has helped her continue her journey in becoming a true global citizen.
RELATED
Cited: Erica Jiang on The Economist
Work by JIANG, assistant professor of finance and business economics, and co-authors is highlighted in a piece on THE ECONOMIST looking at the systemic flaws in America's banking industry. [Paywall]
Quoted: Rodney Ramcharan in the Los Angeles Times
RAMCHARAN, professor of finance and business economics, calls criticism of SVB's donations to BLM and like-minded organizations "trivial and irrelevant".
Cited: Erica Jiang on MarketWatch
Work by JIANG, assistant professor of finance and business economics, and co-authors is featured in a MARKETWATCH article detailing dozens of banks with similar vulnerabilities as SVB. [Paywall]
USC Marshall and USC Leventhal Announce Joint Degree in Accounting and Finance
New joint degree combines finance education with accounting skills that are in high demand from employers.
Cited: Erica Jiang in Financial Times
JIANG, assistant professor of finance and business economics, and co-authors are showcased in a FINANCIAL TIMES piece discussing the fragility of the U.S. banking system.