Daniel Musa , Cohort 5
Bio: A dual-citizen of both the U.S. and Nigeria, Daniel grew up in Southern California and is a proud double Trojan. Daniel has completed a B.A. in International Relations and more recently, an M.S. in Social Entrepreneurship from USC's Marshall School of Business, where he served as the President of the MSSE Student Association during the 2019-2020 academic year. Daniel currently works inside Doordash's New Business Verticals team, supporting the growth of DashMart.Â
Current city: Upland, CA
I am passionate about...
social impact through storytelling. I believe everyone has a story to tell and everyone's story deserves to be heard.
What led you to USC and specifically the MSSE program?
I have always been passionate about my communities in Greater Los Angeles, so it was important to me to attend a school that was also invested in the place I call home. I chose the MSSE program because I wanted an education that would build upon my experiences in business and passion for social change.
What personal or professional experiences do you believe helped shape your values and worldview?
Personally, being a first-generation immigrant and dual-citizen has given me an innate curiosity and value for inclusiveness. Professionally, I have had the opportunity to work across numerous different industries, which has shown me we have more than enough skill and resources in the world to build an equitable society for everyone - if we only direct these resources correctly.
What lessons and experiences at USC and the MSSE program helped build the foundation for your career today?
The MSSE program helped give me a framework for how to begin to measure impact, which is a useful skill that I will be able to carry with me everywhere. The program also gave me a network of friends and colleagues to draw inspiration from, collaborate with, and invest in.
What advice do you have for current students?
Take risks - both professionally and personally. Step out of your comfort zone. When we are uncomfortable, we have the opportunity to grow the most. And your life will be filled with unforgettable memories and stories to tell.
