Not only does USC boast world-class athletes, but world-class student-athletes as well. Each month, we will profile one of these outstanding Trojans who has chosen to pursue coursework in either the science, technology, engineering or math field (STEM).
Name: Sam Dhillon
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Sport: Men's Basketball
Year: Sophomore
Major: Human Biology
Sarah Bergstrom (SB): Why did you choose USC?
Sam Dhillon (SD): The location was great, the brand new coaching staff was amazing and the school academically was great as well. I'm pre-med, studying human biology, so I saw it as a great opportunity to go to medical school from here. It's a great opportunity to be at USC, and I'm very happy with my choice.
SB: Did you always know you wanted to go to medical school?
SD: I didn't know that I wanted to do human biology as my major specifically, but I always knew I wanted to be pre-med. I love science classes - organic chemistry, biology, physics - people think it's weird but it's amazing to me. I love learning how everything works on a molecular level. My lifelong goal is to become a neurosurgeon. I'm on the path to that hopefully. My grades are my first priority, so I focus on that and pretty much get all As. To be a neurosurgeon, you have to be the top of the top of every class.
SB: In addition to an incredibly rigorous course of study, I hear you have your own company as well. Tell me more about that.
SD: I started it last year in January and it was a long process. I took and passed my Series 65 exam, which is what makes it official, and filed a bunch of paperwork with the government. In the end, I was registered as an investment adviser. I was 18 when I passed and I think I'm the youngest investment adviser/portfolio manager in the securities world in U.S. history to own his own firm. It's pretty crazy.
SB: Neuroscience and investment banking are two completely different worlds, why are those two things that you decided to do and where does that interest in finance come from?
SD: My dad is big in the stock world and I was always around that when I was young. I wanted to give it a shot when I got into college and I wanted an opportunity to really help people. I realized I could do it for a living and really help people make a lot of money for themselves, better than what a large firm can do. As of right now I have close to 36 clients. It started off with just family friends and then it's kind of grown from there. I've hired employees, which helps me manage the work a lot because I still have to focus on my schoolwork here. I've only been in business for five months, but it's growing.
SB: It must be really difficult to balance school and running a company. How do you manage all that?
SD: I don't sleep much (laughs). I go to bed at around 2 a.m. a lot and then have to be up for basketball practice at 6 a.m. It's tough but I just really want to achieve the most I can. I want to be a billionaire. I want to live the life. That's my dream. But I really want to be diversified in what I do. I actually am starting my own foundation to inspire youth back in Sacramento where I'm from. I want to be able to give out scholarships and help inspire kids to be the best that they can be.
SB: I think a lot of people would look at all you have going on in your life and wonder why you still play basketball, especially when you aren't a starter or major contributor. Why is basketball so important to you? Why is it worth it?
SD: Growing up, basketball was what I had. I played since I was five and got a lot better when I had a growth spurt in high school. I really wanted to play college basketball and worked really hard in high school to be able to do that. Luckily, I got an opportunity to play here. I can't imagine going to college and not playing basketball. I know I have a lot to balance but it's worth it.
SB: Being a guy who isn't a major contributor in terms of minutes or points, what do you see as your role on this team?
SD: I want to keep our team together. I try and motivate them from the sidelines to be the best they can, and I also want to motivate them in school. I try to study with my teammates and help them see their potential for a future after basketball. There's a big life after you finish these four years and I want them to be prepared. Whatever I can do to help my team be the greatest, that's what I want to do and that's what I see as my role.
