How Micah Austin Turned an Interest into an Opportunity
Micah Austin knew he wanted to work with technology. As a computer science student at the University of South Carolina, he had always been drawn to coding and math. His interest in AI gave him a bigger purpose of helping others understand how to use the technology effectively and responsibly.
Micah first became fascinated with AI when ChatGPT was released. He was “absolutely wowed” by the technology and its potential, but he also noticed how often people misunderstood or misused it. Rather than simply working with AI, Micah wanted to help others understand how it works, how it can be used responsibly and how it will continue to become part of everyday life. This goal eventually led him to the AI Educators program at USC but getting there required Micah to step outside of his comfort zone.
For help taking that step, he visited the Career Center multiple times, each time with a different goal. During one visit, he received guidance on strengthening his resume. During another, he sought advice on finding an internship and building his professional network on LinkedIn. The biggest lesson he took away from each was don't be afraid to reach out.
Micah admits that networking did not come naturally to him. Sending messages to people he didn't know felt awkward, but Career Center staff helped him build the confidence to make those connections and showed him how to approach networking effectively.
Eventually, Micah's willingness to reach out paid off. He connected with an AI educator who later contacted him about an opportunity. His resume stood out, particularly his previous experience as a Teacher Cadet, and he was selected for the role.
Today, Micah serves as an AI Student Outreach Assistant for the Garnet AI Foundry, where he combines his technical knowledge with his passion for education. He visits U101 classes, speaks with student organizations and helps students understand AI concepts, academic integrity and responsible AI use. He also works in USC's AI Support Center, helping students learn how to use tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot and Gemini effectively.
For Micah, the Career Center didn't tell him what career to pursue. He already knew what he wanted to do. Instead, it helped him take the next steps to get there.“The accumulation of all that ended up building up to get me to where I am now,” Micah said. “I really appreciate the Career Center for all the help.”
His advice to other USC students is straightforward: “You absolutely need to do it.” Whether you already have your career path mapped out or are still figuring it out, Micah's experience shows that the Career Center can help turn your goals into a plan and your plan into an opportunity.