The best class at USC Marshall?

The “Best” Class Might Not Be What You Expect

When people ask me, “What’s the best class at USC Marshall School of Business?”

I really don’t know, it depends.

Because there’s no best class, only the one that is right for you, at that specific time.

For me, that class was Paul Orfalea’s Entrepreneurial Mindset course (He's the founder of Kinko's, acquired by FedEx).

I needed that odd 1.5 credits, had no expectations, and didn’t buy into the whole “mindset” thing, but I was wrong.

This class rewired my approach to work and life.

There’s no syllabus, but here’s what I learned:

📌 Tiny Habits = Big Credibility
Practice, even for self-introductions.
Confidence is built through repetition and how you present yourself.
And dress the part.

📌 Owner vs Manager Mindset
Owners make decisions differently than managers.
Zoom out, take calculated risks and think long-term.
It shifts your perspective.

📌 Business is Simple Math
Fixed costs. Variable costs. Profit. Repeat.
Strip away the noise, and you’re left with clarity.

📌 The World Needs More Questions, Not Just Answers
You will be tasked to come to the class with thoughtful questions.
Asking the good questions is way harder than finding the answers.
I’m still working on it!
Side note, I once got a golden star for a good question from Paul

📌 The Art of Mind Wandering
I used to dismiss observing my surroundings as idle daydreaming.
Paul taught me this 'mind wandering' is actually a critical entrepreneurial skill.

Two weeks before Techstars Catalyst's Demo Day, when I was ready to wind down Momentvm, I found myself wandering through USC's library after his class.

Reflecting on my observations and personal language struggles, everything suddenly clicked.

That's when Native was born: a platform helping non-native English speakers build speaking confidence and fluency.

The Takeaway?
A class is only as transformative as your readiness to absorb it.
That “meh” course today could be your rocket fuel tomorrow.

So, next time someone asks, “What’s the best class?” ask instead, “What class is right for me now based on [your need]?”

Stay open. You never know where it’ll take you.

Los Angeles,
Jessie Tran