Areas of Interest at SCU and Leavey: I am currently pursuing a degree in Accounting, with a minor in Real Estate. With the goal of becoming a CPA, I look forward to growing my understanding of accounting principles and life long financial skills I can possess for the rest of my life. I also hope to develop many leadership skills throughout my time at Santa Clara, expanding my network in one of the country's most valuable locations.
What are your SCU and Leavey activities/general hobbies: Aside from Leavey Ambassadors, I am a part of the College Catholics club, the Latiné Student Union, AGO Christ-Centered Fraternity, and a member of both the Accounting Association and the Leavey Real Estate Institute. I also love going on runs, playing soccer, and going on drives, taking every opportunity to experience something new.
What internship/employment opportunities have you taken advantage of at Leavey? My biggest resources were my environment and tools Santa Clara had to offer. Being in the heart of Silicon Valley puts us at the advantage of having many valuable companies and motivated employers who are seeking our skills and drive to learn. I have used the career center to help me freshen up my resume and learn how to build my network. The Accounting Association has provided us students with career fairs and speaker panels, putting us directly in front of the biggest Accounting firms in the world. I have also taken advantage of LinkedIn and Handshake to grow my professional skills and learn to reach out to others. All it takes is bravery and a willingness to ask questions, meeting somebody new everyday and showing you truly want to learn.
Favorite Leavey Class and Why? My favorite LSB class is MGMT 71 (Foundations of Leadership: Clarifying Personal Values) because it taught me to view leadership as a mindset rather than a position. Throughout the quarter, I gained confidence and grew professionally through thoughtful discussion. Currently, I'm working as a Leadership Peer Educator for MGMT 71, where I support Professor Cabral in teaching the course.
What made you choose to attend Leavey? The biggest reason why I chose LSB was because I knew I would find like-minded people who are hardworking, innovative, outgoing, and also looking to develop all aspects of their character. The staff at Leavey are like no other, with top-tier experience and knowledge that is very valuable today. Silicon Valley provides endless opportunities for students, with professors showing true care to help you reach your career goals. The small class sizes have allowed me to grow relationships with my classmates and professors, making the Santa Clara network one of the best.
What advice you wish you had while applying to college? Advice I wish I had while applying to colleges was to make sure I went with my heart and ignored any negative comments from others. You should always pick your school based on all of your goals and desires, including both in-class and social life. Never completely base choices off acceptance rate, and instead place an emphasis on the programs the school has to offer alongside the opportunities that are valuable around the city/area. It is also important to take a risk and apply to the schools you truly love, no matter how target or non-target it is, you will never know unless you try.