Daniel Yu

How has your experience been as a student worker for the East Asian Studies Center (EASC)?

I’ve been at EASC for two and a half years, since Fall 2023. Overall, I’ve had a very good experience here. I’ve enjoyed getting to work with the staff, attend events, and meet students and faculty at EASC.

Are there any experiences/memories you would like to highlight?

At EASC, my favorite memories have been all the times we’ve done something outside the office or work, whether it’s taking a walk, getting lunch, making dumplings for Lunar New Year, or testing our strength at the McCarthy Quad jungle gym. Being able to spend time or talk with my co-workers outside of a work context is one of the things I cherish most about EASC.

What has been your biggest takeaway from your time with EASC?

My biggest takeaway is the value of workplace culture and how much the people you work with can make or break your experience. The office and the people here created such a warm and close-knit environment that made what would normally be just another work-study job into a positive experience.

Can you tell us about your academic interests?

I majored in Computer Science Games for my undergrad and Computer Science for my master’s program PDP. I do many different aspects of game development, but my specific focus is sound design.

Are there any projects or accomplishments you would like to share? 

As part of my program, I’ve been fortunate to have worked on many game projects during my time at USC. One of my proudest achievements is getting to work on Free Will, an MFA thesis project that won a BAFTA Student Award this past summer. I was also a scholar for the Game Audio Diversity Alliance (GADA) this past October. Right now, I’m working together with some friends on a ski-racing game called Skijoring, set to be released this spring.

Do you have any advice for incoming students?

Prioritize your friendships and well-being. It’s important to maintain a healthy work-life balance. College can be a stressful experience, but it’s also a shared experience. Make friends and keep them close. The friends you make in college are often your friends for life. Also, I speak from personal experience when I say this: don’t forget to take care of yourself and get plenty of sleep.

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be working full-time as a sound designer for an independent game studio.