My personal motto is 'Make your mark.' For me, that means leaving an impact on each person I encounter in my life, whether in a personal or professional capacity.

 Gino Mascardo '17 spends most of his time behind a camera, not in front of one — and that’s just the way he likes it. The advertising major and computer science minor has spent the last three years interning as a photographer/videographer for USF’s Office of Marketing Communications (OMC), and working as a contract photographer for GitHub, one of the Bay Area’s premier software development companies.

What’s your favorite USF memory?
As a multimedia intern, I’ve photographed and filmed amazing people through opportunities I wouldn’t have had anywhere but USF. I’ve shot performers like G-Eazy and politicians like Gavin Newsom. A few weeks ago when Steve Wozniak came to speak on campus I shot his portrait and was able to spend a few minutes of one-on-one time with Mr. Wozniak — who actually signed my iPhone!

What are your plans after graduation?
I’m in the process of interviewing with several tech companies here in San Francisco; my goal is to land in the multimedia department of a company like Salesforce or Prism Labs.

How do you want to change the world from here?
My personal motto is “Make your mark.” For me, that means leaving an impact on each person I encounter in my life, whether in a personal or professional capacity. Of course, it’s hopefully a good impact!

What’s your best advice to incoming USF students?
First would be to try everything twice, or even three times. Whether it’s a cuisine, a class, or a job, don’t dismiss it if you don’t like it immediately.

Second, start early! You always think you have plenty of time when you’re first assigned a project, but life inevitably quickens the calendar. Getting started right away cuts down on stress big-time.

Lastly, get to know your professors and go to their office hours. It’s not like high school, you don’t have to be afraid of them. They really are there to help you, and they want to get to know you. Plus, a lot of them have great connections in their fields.