Eric Deng
University of Southern California

Degree: B.S. in Electrical Engineering

How did the Stamps Scholarship help shape your undergraduate experience?
The Stamps Scholarship had a profound impact on my undergraduate experience–helping me decide to enroll at USC, connecting me with an amazing group of fellow Stamps scholars, and affording me the opportunities to explore and further develop my passions and sense of purpose.

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your freshman self?
You may not know what you want to do or how to do it, but don’t let that paralyze you in uncertainty–doing something is far more important than thinking about doing the “perfect” thing.

Who has had the greatest impact on you throughout your college career and how so?
My friends and family have been the backbone and foundation of college career but my research advisor, Professor Maja Mataric, has had the most profound impact on my life and career over these past four years. Our work has given me a more refined and validated sense of purpose and direction in my career and her personal advice and support has helped push me to do my best throughout my undergraduate career.

What’s your favorite Stamps Scholar memory?
My favorite Stamps Scholar memory has to be the two conventions I was lucky to participate in–interacting with scholars from other schools, bonding with my fellow USC Stamps Scholars, and of course getting to know the Stamps Family. From these conventions I still have friends from other schools that I keep in touch with, which will be especially relevant when I move to San Francisco at the end of this year, and I got to be much closer with my fellow USC scholars–all of these friends for life would not have been if not for this awesome community!

What comes next?
I’ll be joining Facebook in the Bay Area as their first Robotics Engineer working on special projects and helping lead research projects. I know there’s a community of Stamps Scholars there already and would love to help grow that community and stay involved with the foundation!

Please share your favorite inspirational quote.
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” -Hugh Herr