This summer, the USC Institute for Creative Technologies welcomed nearly 30 exceptional interns—and the impact extended far beyond our labs. Our summer internship program didn’t just foster groundbreaking research; it sparked our most successful social media engagement to date.
The Numbers Tell the Story
August 2025 marked a breakthrough month for ICT’s digital presence:
- 98% increase in Instagram reel and post views compared to July
- 46,000 total views across our content
- 105% growth in views from new audiences who don’t yet follow us
The Human Story Behind the Growth
The surge in social engagement directly mirrors the energy our 2025 intern cohort brought to ICT. From undergraduates in engineering to graduate students in human-centered design, this year’s cohort represents the multiplicity of thought and talent that drives innovation at ICT.
Our interns came through various programs including the DOD Summer Research Internship Program for HBCU/MI institutions, the United States Military Academy at West Point, USC ROTC Air Force Cadets, the IUSSTF-Viterbi Program, and USC President’s HighTech Scholars. Their posters stood not just as polished summaries, but as quiet testaments to the rigor, creativity, and discipline that define this field.
Research That Resonates
The authentic stories of innovation clearly connected with audiences. Our interns tackled everything from AI-driven educational games to immersive military training simulations, from natural language processing to mixed reality experiences. These students—drawn from leading universities across the country—joined our team not only to gain firsthand exposure to cutting-edge immersive technology, but to understand the core mission that drives our labs forward: creating simulation-based experiences that genuinely matter.
Their work culminated in presentations and research showcases, demonstrating the high caliber of research happening at ICT.
A Formula for Authentic Engagement
What made this summer’s social media success different? The content wasn’t manufactured—it was genuine documentation of brilliant minds at work. When you showcase real innovation happening in real time, audiences take notice. The 66% of our August views coming from non-followers suggests our intern stories reached far beyond our existing community, attracting new audiences interested in cutting-edge research and career opportunities.
Looking Forward
The internship structure reflects ICT’s mission to integrate academic rigor with real-world application. As we prepare for our 2026 internship application cycle, this summer’s digital success demonstrates the power of authentic storytelling in connecting with future innovators, collaborators, and supporters of ICT’s mission.
The lesson is clear: when you invest in exceptional people doing meaningful work, the stories tell themselves—and audiences notice.
ICT’s Summer Internship Program has been running since 2001, hosting nearly 700 interns over two decades. Applications for Summer 2026 will open in early 2026. Learn more about opportunities at ict.usc.edu/careers/internships.