Balancing a full-time career, graduate school, studying for a professional exam, and raising two toddlers isn’t for the faint of heart. For USC MS in Project Management Ambassador, Kevin Lee, the challenge proved to be transformative, leading to a role in one of Southern California’s largest infrastructure modernization efforts.
While applying for USC’s MS in Project Management program, Lee worked as a Project Specialist at SoCalGas, supporting capital projects for compressed natural gas refueling stations. The role provided valuable experience but left him wanting more from his career.
Today, Lee serves as an Associate Project Manager at Southern California Edison, assigned to the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) 2.0 initiative. AMI 2.0 is a massive undertaking to upgrade millions of electric meters with distributed intelligence capabilities.
Lee credits USC’s program with making the transition into project management possible. “The program gave me the foundation and credibility to make that jump,” he said. “It opened doors that would have remained closed otherwise.” 
An Unexpected Path
Lee’s journey into project management wasn’t a straight line. After earning an undergraduate degree in Marketing from Cal State Northridge, Lee’s early career involved managing marketing projects at SAESHE, a Los Angeles-based advertising agency. “Looking back, much of my work already involved project management, but my approach was far less structured than it is today. Back then, I operated more reactively, focusing on meeting immediate marketing and stakeholder objectives rather than applying formal project management frameworks.”
Lee’s career pivot came in 2020, when he transitioned to working in the energy and utilities industry. “Leaving the marketing industry was a difficult decision. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, many of my clients were severely impacted and significantly reduced or redirected their marketing budgets.” In the pursuit of more stable, long-term career paths, Lee joined the utilities and energy sector.
With Lee’s new role emphasizing project management as a core competency, the necessity for the skill soon turned into genuine passion. “Project management appealed and still appeals to me because every project is a unique, value-adding initiative that brings together different stakeholders with different expectations. You have to influence without direct control, which requires a different skill set.”
The Balancing Act
When researching graduate programs, Lee faced a common dilemma for working parents: how to advance professionally without sacrificing family time. “With two toddlers at home, attending in-person classes after work was not a viable option,” he said. USC’s virtual classroom format offered flexibility without compromising the quality or engagement of the learning experience.
Though the format allowed him to participate fully in the program while remaining present for his young family, Lee doesn’t minimize the challenge of completing the program.“Balancing academics, work, and family responsibilities was demanding, but the payoff justified the effort.”
The program’s structure particularly impressed Lee, who found it thoughtfully designed to provide comprehensive knowledge across all domains of project management. “The course sequence allowed me to translate theory into practical application,” he explained. “The instructors brought real-world project leadership experience that added depth and relevance to the content.”
Along with reviewing the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) guide in preparation for earning his PMP certification, Lee dedicated three to four hours per week on average to reading materials and completing assignments.
Theory Meets Practice
After completing USC’s program, he made the leap to Southern California Edison. Now, Lee applies his project management expertise in the AMI 2.0 initiative, focusing on meter deployment planning and modernization.
“One of the biggest challenges in my current role has been managing projects without formal authority—a common reality for many project managers navigating matrixed organizations.” To address this, Lee applies a servant leadership framework, a philosophy and set of practices where the leader’s primary role is to serve and prioritize the well-being and growth of their team, allowing stakeholders in his organization to bring their best work forward.
“As a project leader, I enjoy being pushed outside my comfort zone, whether it’s guiding teams without direct authority, navigating complex challenges, or learning new technical areas. Above all, I strive [to stay] composed and steady when things become chaotic…Calm leadership is what I work toward each day.”
Success Requires Self-Awareness
When asked what qualities make someone successful in the program, Lee emphasized self-awareness, willingness to experiment, and focusing on incremental gains. “Success requires identifying your personal skill gaps and being willing to experiment and even fail in the workplace,” he says. “While some topics may feel familiar, others will be completely new. The program provides comprehensive knowledge across all project management domains, but it’s up to students to translate that knowledge into practice.”
Lee has stayed in touch with several classmates, sharing job opportunities, exchanging perspectives on workplace challenges, and occasionally meeting for social events. Beyond coursework, the program provided something equally valuable: connections with fellow students who continue to support each other professionally.
“These interactions have reinforced my understanding that project management roles vary significantly across industries,” he notes. “It broadened my professional perspective.”
While reflecting on his experience, Lee also had a few words of advice to share with current students in the program: “Don’t wait until you’ve completed a course to try implementing what you’ve learned,” he advised. “The real learning happens when you test concepts in actual workplace situations.”
Setting the Pace
Outside of work, Lee has found joy through running. “Running is becoming an increasingly important part of my life. My most recent milestone was completing the Rose Bowl Half Marathon, and I’m currently training for the LA Marathon. Running keeps me laser-focused on my personal and professional priorities.”
Professionally, Lee envisions himself in a senior program leadership capacity within five to ten years, leveraging the skills and knowledge gained at USC to tackle increasingly complex initiatives. What matters most to Lee, however, is family. “I see myself professionally advancing while being present for my kids and showing them what’s possible when you commit to something.”
“One of my bucket-list goals is to run a marathon with my two sons when they’re older—they’re only 4 and 3 now, but I’m already training so I’ll be ready when the time comes.”
USC’s MS in Project Management program offers working professionals a flexible path to advanced project leadership skills, with courses covering all domains of Project Management.