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GEMS

  • Color photograph of the GEMS at USC organization facing camera.
    Transformative Leadership + Human Skills

    GEMS at USC

    Guiding Exceptional Minds to Success (GEMS) is a highly selective early career development program that each year offers exceptional students in accounting, finance and business first–hand exposure and networking with professionals in leading industries, customized mentoring and unparalleled professional presence and leadership training.

    Selected students typically spend half a year participating in trips to meet management and executives in multinational companies, roundtable discussions with professionals at varying levels of the organization, and learning about potential internships and employment roles in these organizations. 

    Each GEM is paired with a USC mentor, who is an expert in the student’s declared field or industry of choice, to facilitate their growth, both as individuals and young professionals. 

    The purpose of the GEMS program is to provide gifted and highly motivated business students with the resources to harness their leadership potential and assist them in creating a uniquely purposeful and authentic career.

“The goal is to help propel our students toward meaningful and impactful future careers.”

— Mike Paranal, Assistant Professor of Clinical Accounting

Real World — Right Now

USC Real World Ready Financial Literacy

APPLY TO GEMS

The selection process is very competitive. The USC GEMS Committee processes the applications, and former GEMS participants screen the applications, to identify the most promising candidates. Sixty of the most qualified applicants are selected to be finalists and are interviewed. Chosen candidates are then notified and are invited to Selection Weekend.

2023 GEMS

  • 2023 GEMS student Akosua Lewis.

    Akosua (Kosi) Lewis, '24

    Major: Business Administration
    Emphasis: Risk Management
    Kosi Lewis was born and raised in New York, New York. Currently, she is a rising junior pursuing a B.S in Business Administration with an emphasis in risk management.

  • 2023 Gems student Alexandra Ster.

    Alexandra Ster, '24

    Major: Business Administration
    Emphasis: Entrepreneurship & Innovation
    Minor: Mind and Body Studies
    Alexandra Ster was born and raised in San Diego, California. Alexandra is a Junior pursuing a B.S. in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and a minor in Mind and Body Studies.

    LINKEDIN Alexandra Ster, '24
  • 2023 GEMS student Ashley Lee.

    Ashley Lee, '24

    Major: Business Administration
    Minor: Applied Analytics
    Ashley Lee was born and raised in San Jose, California. She’s currently a sophomore majoring in Business Administration and minoring in Applied Analytics.

GEMS ALUMNI

  • GEMS alum Adriana Camargo.

    Adriana Camargo, '24

    Major: Business Administration
    Minor: Risk Management
    Adriana Camargo was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Currently, a rising junior pursuing a B.S in Business Administration with an emphasis in Analytics and a minor in Risk Management.

  • GEMS alum Alfonso Aguilar Vasquez.

    Alfonso Aguilar Vasquez, '24

    Major: Business Administration
    Minor: Applied Analytics
    Alfonso is a rising junior pursuing a B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in Applied Analytics. Originally from Mexico City, he studied high school at a boarding school in Quebec, Canada.

  • GEMS alum Andrea Nguyen.

    Andrea Nguyen, '24

    Major: Business Administration
    Major: Accounting
    Minor: Real Estate Development
    From Orange County, California– Andrea is a sophomore double majoring in Business Administration and Accounting with a minor in Real Estate Development.

GEMS MENTORS

  • GEMS mentor Alex Blecksmith.

    Alex Blecksmith

    Associate Vice President, Colliers International
    Alex is an Associate Vice President at Colliers International, a global leader in real estate services and investment management.

  • GEMS mentor Alissa Lieppmann.

    Alissa Lieppmann

    Vice President, Head of Planning & Culture, National Football League
    Alissa brings 17+ years of experience in consulting, digital marketing, strategy development and relationship management.

  • GEMS mentor Brian Chung.

    Brian Chung

    Co-Founder and CEO, Alabaster Co
    Brian Chung is the Co-Founder and CEO of Alabaster Co, a five-time Inc5000 business, and a Forbes Next 1000 honoree of promising entrepreneurs.

THE CATALYST PODCAST

Join us on this dynamic podcast as we dive into candid conversations with young Trojan leaders across diverse fields. Discover the secrets to crafting a meaningful career, personal growth tips, and insights on becoming your best self both professionally and personally. Tune in for honest discussions that unveil the blueprint for a successful and well-balanced life.

  • The Catalyst: Ep. 5 The Voices of the Future with GEMS Graduates

    Assistant Professor of Clinical Accounting and host of The Catalyst Mike Paranal concludes the school year by speaking with GEMS graduates on their time at USC and what advice they can offer to incoming students.

  • The Catalyst: Ep. 4 The Virtues of Failing with Brian Chung

    Assistant Professor of Clinical Accounting and host of The Catalyst Mike Paranal speaks with Marshall alum, founder, and Forbes Next 1000 honoree Brian Chung to discuss his time at USC and why failing is the secret to success.

  • The Catalyst: Ep. 3 What I Learned from Jumping off Planes with David Flores

    Assistant Professor of Clinical Accounting and host of The Catalyst Mike Paranal is joined by David Flores to discuss his time as a paratrooper, his decision to go to USC for his master's of business taxation degree, and how unique experiences shape his career approach. Watch here for the full video podcast.

    GEMS is dedicated to fostering linguistic diversity and ensuring that educational resources embrace sign language as an essential component of an inclusive education.

  • The Catalyst: Ep. 2 Career Rules with Justin Lacey

    Assistant Professor of Clinical Accounting and host of The Catalyst Mike Paranal sits down with wealth management advisor and USC alum Justin Lacey for a discussion on the career advice, unspoken rules, and making it in the workplace. Watch here for the full video podcast.

  • The Catalyst: Ep. 1 Imposter Syndrome with Toni Hall

    Professor of Clinical Accounting Mike Paranal is joined by NFL Player Coordinator and USC alum Toni Hall for an honest discussion about imposter syndrome, post-grad journeys, representation, and her incredible new position with the NFL. Watch here for the full video podcast.

EVENTS + VISITS

  • Prof. Paranal, together with select USC Accounting and Marshall Students at the 2022 Chinese-American Elected Officials Awards Dinner, celebrating Asian-American and Pacific Islander leaders, elected officials and community members. Monterey Park, CA. June 2022.

    Prof. Paranal, together with select USC Accounting and Marshall Students at the 2022 Chinese-American Elected Officials Awards Dinner, celebrating Asian-American and Pacific Islander leaders, elected officials and community members. Monterey Park, CA. June 2022.

    1 / 5
  • US Representative for California’s 28th Congressional District, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez chats with USC students on the power of inclusive and diverse leadership. Hon. Linda Sanchez is the first Latina to serve on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and the House Judiciary Committee

    US Representative for California’s 28th Congressional District, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez chats with USC students on the power of inclusive and diverse leadership. Hon. Linda Sanchez is the first Latina to serve on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and the House Judiciary Committee

    2 / 5
  • USC students are welcomed by newly elected Assembly member Mike Fong (49th Assembly District). Hon. Mike Fong has consistently fought to increase student access to higher education, He is also the Director of Policy and Government Relations for the City of Los Angeles.

    USC students are welcomed by newly elected Assembly member Mike Fong (49th Assembly District). Hon. Mike Fong has consistently fought to increase student access to higher education, He is also the Director of Policy and Government Relations for the City of Los Angeles.

    3 / 5
  • Prof. Paranal was invited to speak at the 2022 CEO Annual Event. He spoke about the need for inclusive and intentional leadership, especially against hate crimes and structural racism directed towards AAPI communities and other minority groups.

    Prof. Paranal was invited to speak at the 2022 CEO Annual Event. He spoke about the need for inclusive and intentional leadership, especially against hate crimes and structural racism directed towards AAPI communities and other minority groups.

    4 / 5
  • Prof. Paranal was invited to speak at the 2022 CEO Annual Event. He spoke about the need for inclusive and intentional leadership, especially against hate crimes and structural racism directed towards AAPI communities and other minority groups.

    Prof. Paranal was invited to speak at the 2022 CEO Annual Event. He spoke about the need for inclusive and intentional leadership, especially against hate crimes and structural racism directed towards AAPI communities and other minority groups.

    5 / 5

GEMS TEAM

  • Mike Paranal

    Mike Paranal
    • Assistant Professor of Clinical Accounting

    Professor Michael Paranal, CPA is a lawyer admitted to practice in New York and California. He is also admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in England and Wales. He worked as a capital markets attorney for Latham & Watkins in London, UK, and In 2015 was awarded the Robert Bosch Fellowship in Accounting and Securities Regulation. He joined the European Central Bank as the only non-EU citizen working in the Financial Law Division during the time of the European Debt Crisis. Professor Paranal is an alumnus of the USC MBT Program. He also earned his JD MBA at the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School of Business, as well as a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law at the University of Oxford. He is currently part of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s Tax Transaction Advisory Group.