Redefining What’s ‘Possible’ in Tech

Frank Pusich ’27 came to Santa Clara University knowing exactly what he wanted to do. Or at least that’s what he thought. 

As a student at Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School, Pusich participated in a four-year work study program with a computational software company in Silicon Valley. He loved the environment and the possibilities a career in tech offered, both for his professional development and his financial stability as a person who grew up in a low income family.  

So when he got to Santa Clara, he decided to major in computer science, thinking it would be the fastest path to a job like the ones he’d seen at Cadence Design Systems.

“I felt like, okay, that's going to be a golden ticket into that industry,” Pusich says. “But as I took my first couple of classes, I realized it wasn’t the right fit.”

For many, the dream of a job in tech would’ve ended there. Fortunately, Pusich got the boost he needed when he was nominated to participate in the Possible program at Santa Clara. 

Sponsored by SCU’s Career Center, Possible is an intensive five-week course that lets undergrad and graduate school students from Santa Clara and Seattle University take a deep dive on all the different careers the tech industry has to offer. Not just traditional jobs in software development, for example, but the many roles that make up a company. 

Four days a week, students attend hour-long virtual lectures by guest speakers working in various roles in tech. Following each lecture, students meet to discuss the topic further with the rest of the Possible cohort.

“It was like dipping your toes in a bunch of different worlds,” Pusich says. “It got me thinking more about my skill set and what I have to offer to a workspace and to a team.”

While Pusich might not get energized by coding, he learned that his outgoing personality could be a great fit for careers in team building, business leadership, and project management—careers he didn’t really know existed before Possible. Better yet, all of these careers would offer the financial stability and opportunities for growth that he valued as a LEAD scholar. 

“I learned you don't have to be a computer science major to make a name for yourself or to get where you want to go,” Pusich says. “I got to see people share their stories and how they use their skills and then apply that to myself—how can I have a success story like that?”

After the lectures, Pusich furthered his learnings with the group discussions. Since the cohort included students from every step of the academic journey—first-year to graduate school—and from different parts of the country, each person brought their own unique perspective and regional contacts.

“LinkedIn, of course, is a big thing, especially nowadays, when you think about building your network,” Pusich says. “Now, my LinkedIn is full of people that I met through Possible.”

Pusich was far from the only Possible success story at Santa Clara, according to Dylan Houle, executive director of the Career Center. Of the 50 students who accepted a nomination to participate in Possible from Santa Clara, 47 completed the program. In an exit survey, students rated the program 9.3 out of 10 in and 97% called it a “signature experience” in college. 

“The program is obviously interesting, engaging,” Houle says, “but for students to complete the program and have that kind of reaction, it tells me that it’s clearly meeting students’ needs for career exploration opportunities.”

The program was so successful, Possible CEO David Chase came to campus to visit with students who had completed the program. 

Houle says Possible will continue at Santa Clara for the next two academic years with two cohorts (25 students apiece) each year. The program is invite-only and students can be nominated by faculty, staff, and graduates of the Possible program to participate. 

Houle hopes to see the program continue its success and include students from all different disciplines on campus. He’d also love to see Santa Clara alumni involved as career lecturers. 

“This program is really for all students,” Houle says. “Whether you’re a graduate engineering student or a student studying English who has never considered working in tech, this program can accommodate everyone. It's just a true exploration and networking journey.”