Promise McEntire

Class of 2006, B.A. in Psychology

Where have you worked and/or studied since you graduated from USC?

2006-2008: Peace Corps Volunteer in Bogo, Cameroon,

2010: Received my M.S. in Psychology at USC

2011: I did a stint in advertising for about a year, but the field didn’t fit well with my values.

2011-2012: I returned to USC to work for the Psychology Department’s Master’s program. I was hired as a part-time lecturer, ran the “Proseminar in Human Behavior” course, and also acted as the Program Manager.  In my spare time, I started developing a health coaching business.

2012: I left USC to develop my health coaching business.  I physically trained senior citizens in their homes, planned meals, and sold supplements and in-home workout programs as part of a network marketing venture.

2013-present: I finally left Los Angeles with my husband at the end of 2013. We are teaching English as a foreign language in Seoul, South Korea.  I am still part of the network marketing venture.

What was the most beneficial thing you did as a student at USC to prepare you for post-graduation?

When I joined the Honors Program, I started seeking out mentors. Over time, I developed substantial relationships with them.  I give these people a lot of credit, for helping me develop personally and professionally.  They have also served as connections, having helped me build a powerful social network.

What course did you enjoy the most?

There were a lot of good ones, but I think it’s a toss-up between Dr. Richard John’s “Decision Analysis and Behavioral Decision Theory” and Dr. Miranda Barone’s “Group Dynamics”.  These are two completely different courses, but they are both very practical.

If you were an undergraduate again, is there anything that you would do differently?

Yes — I would have gotten involved with professional and academic clubs/associations, and I would have gotten serious about my future a LOT earlier in my college career.  I also would have sought out fellowships and gotten a job as a research assistant.