Jerusha D’Souza

D’Souza, a music, technology and entertainment lawyer in Mumbai, graduated from the University of Southern California (USC). She runs her own law office, and helps international rock stars negotiate major contracts. But before she began striking deals, D’Souza knew that she had to gain deep knowledge in the areas of law that fascinated her.

“Media, entertainment and intellectual property—those were the fields I knew I wanted to focus on, and I didn’t think I could learn everything I needed to in India,” she says. “I applied to a few schools in the United States and chose USC because it had the best film school and offered a lot of the subjects I wanted.” The school’s proximity to Hollywood and powerful network of entertainment-industry alumni also played an important role in her decision.

As a practicing lawyer, D’Souza works on everything from licensing and sponsorships to performance contracts and record deals. She also assists clients navigate business matters like collecting royalties for their creative works.

“I love working with creative people,” says D’Souza. “Meeting artistes gives you such a fun perspective. If I show up to a meeting in a business suit, nobody will take me seriously— but if I wear a tank top and Jordans, everyone will talk to me. It’s still about business, but it can almost feel like a casual conversation with amazing, interesting friends.”

D’Souza wholeheartedly encourages students to take the leap if they get the opportunity to study in the United States. “Do it! Having an American degree has given me such a level up in my career. I would never have imagined that I would start my own law practice and have so much fun in my work, but because of the knowledge and experience I gained in the United States, I was able to do it,” she says. “In the world of law where I practice, if you don’t bring an edge to your work, nobody listens to you. And my degree from USC has been a great edge to have.”

D’Souza recommends that Indian women looking to study in the United States start searching for scholarships early in the process—instead of after they are admitted. Schools are often proactive about helping international students connect with financial aid, she says. “If you ask for help, the university will connect you with the right people to talk about scholarships.”

Many students worry about safety when they are far away from their families. D’Souza admits that staying safe in Los Angeles was a concern for her, but she says that USC did a great job of putting her mind at ease.

Among other measures, the school offered free transportation at night, security officers and emergency call boxes positioned all around campus, and even basic self-defense training from the Los Angeles Police Department. “I sometimes had classes until 9 p.m., and never really felt unsafe on campus,” she says.

D’Souza’s other concerns included locating adequate housing and getting into the classes she wanted. For both, D’Souza actively engaged with professors, alumni and administrators to ask for advice and help, and their prompt assistance helped her thrive on all counts.