For USC graduate student Joey Quatela, building a company was more than a career goal — it was an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. But he knew that to help his business truly thrive, he needed additional tools and knowledge. That’s when he turned to the USC Iovine and Young Academy.
Quatela studied computer engineering at Vanderbilt University, where the initial spark for his company took shape. He founded Seventh Degree Technologies, known as SevDeg, which, as he describes it, “creates elevated accessibility tools to help older adults and people with motor impairments live independently.” Even while finishing his undergraduate degree, he was actively developing SevDeg. After graduation, he decided to continue refining the company while expanding his education.
“I wanted more education in that side of my life. I looked for master’s programs blending product engineering, design and business fundamentals. The program I found at Iovine and Young Academy from USC thankfully hit that niche perfectly,” Quatela said.
Quatela is now a student in the online Master of Integrated Design, Business and Technology (MSIDBT). As its name suggests, the program spans multiple disciplines and focuses on the ways they intersect in today’s innovation-driven fields. Students explore business principles, creative practices and emerging technologies through courses such as “Collaborative Prototyping in Health Innovation,” “Product Design and User Experience” and “Textiles for Fashion Innovation.”
The program places a strong emphasis on critical thinking, leadership development and effective communication; for an aspiring entrepreneur like Quatela, it was a natural fit. While balancing a full-time software engineering role at Alo Yoga with the demands of building a startup, Quatela appreciates the flexibility of the online program, though he admits the balancing act can be stressful at times.
Fortunately, he’s thoroughly enjoying his classes — a factor that eases the workload. He’s also been surprised by how directly applicable the coursework has already been to his business.
“I learn useful stuff in my program every day, from product design to business best practices to marketing fundamentals,” he said. “Right now, I’m launching a new product, and the two marketing classes I’m taking are helping me understand how to sell that product and analyze campaign performance on social media.”
In addition to the academic value, Quatela emphasized how meaningful the broader, “tight-knit” USC community has been during his studies.
“My favorite part of the program is the connections and my professors. They are so experienced, well connected and willing to take a direct interest in what I’m doing,” he said. “The founder of LaunchBoom is my social media marketing professor.”
Quatela is also inspired by his fellow students. Because the MIDBT program attracts people from varied creative and professional backgrounds, he finds himself constantly learning from classmates with different passions and career goals.
“My program sits at a niche intersection of three broad disciplines, which means my peers have a wide range of interests and career paths. It’s a very collaborative environment,” he said.
Quatela began his program in August 2024 and is on track to graduate in May 2026. Although that date is approaching quickly, he is already looking ahead — and his plans center on SevDeg.
“I hope to transition to working on my startup, SevDeg, full time. I would like to be a founder creating products that help make people’s lives easier and more independent,” Quatela said.
SevDeg’s focus is developing accessibility tools that enhance independence for people with mobility challenges. The company currently sells the EasyButton, a device that helps individuals dress independently — a simple daily task that many take for granted, but which can make a profound difference for those with motor impairments. For Quatela, creating products that meaningfully improve quality of life is at the core of his mission.
He believes his time at USC is helping make that mission possible, both through the knowledge he’s gaining and the connections he’s building. It’s why he recommends the MIDBT program to anyone else with similar goals.
“This is the perfect place to explore new opportunities,” he advised.
Learn more about the MS in Integrated Design, Business and Technology (MSIDBT) today.