Studying in Silicon Valley: A Unique Opportunity
What makes Santa Clara University so unique? Situated in the San Francisco Bay Area and the heart of the Silicon Valley, Santa Clara affords students incredible opportunities because of our location. From the weather to the people to professional opportunities, the Silicon Valley is truly a unique place to be and offers students an unmatched return on investment.
This location is something of a dream to be honest with you. Sometimes I still wake up wondering for myself if this is true. I came to California from a small town in Colorado by luck and fortune to study at Santa Clara University. I hope my unbiased opinion can help you look at this unique place through a different lens, sometimes not so apparent to those who grew up here.
The Weather and Outdoors
It is no secret that when you think of California, you automatically think of palm trees and sunshine. Weather and geography are definitely major bonuses of this region. I grew up in the wonderful state of Colorado, so the outdoors were always part of my life. When I came to SCU, I was still able to find everything I did back home (running, biking, hiking, etc.), with the exception of having to shovel snow or be locked inside during the winter months. At Santa Clara, in a matter of hours, you can be on the beach, in a major city, on the slopes, or isolated from anyone you know in the middle of a majestic redwood forest.
The People and Entrepreneurial Spirit
If you value diversity, entrepreneurship, and a spirit of growth, then look no further than Silicon Valley. This location brings together people from all over the world and attracts people who have very different views of life and the opportunities that are possible. The optimism is infectious and allows you to think beyond the many constraints that limit others from being creative risk-takers. You’ll learn to live in the moment and forecast the influence of the future. Your surroundings do matter. They will become an even greater part of your overall experience, creativity, and social network in college. Whom you choose to associate with will expand or limit your options. Don't be afraid to believe in yourself to the point that others may believe you are a bit delusional. Just think of people like Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, Eva Blanco Masias, and many others who have become incredible people today. No dream is viewed as impossible. Even the moon is possible from here - just ask Elon Musk or SpaceX.
Professional Opportunities
The networking and professional opportunities that exist in the Silicon Valley are exceptional. In a nutshell, the Silicon Valley is about big ideas. Every game-changing new company that starts out here seems a little bit crazier than the one before. Imagine a space in which you are allowed to dream big and be “crazy.” Your creativity will naturally flourish.
Here, you are surrounded by the biggest companies in the world. Google, Yahoo, Lockheed Martin, eBay, NASA, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Price WaterHouse Company, Deloitte, Netflix, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tesla. All students, regardless of major, have incredible access to internship and job opportunities at these companies, making the impact at SCU truly global. Study computer science and become a software engineer at Facebook. Study English and work as a technical writer for Google. Study art and become an Art and Content Curation Intern at Netgear. The opportunities are endless and not just in the technology sector. The Bay Area houses amazing opportunities in healthcare, education, the legal field, and many other sectors as well. In the Silicon Valley, you can run into a venture capitalist at the local Starbucks who is willing to invest in your next big idea. You can challenge the status quo no matter your age. At Santa Clara, your professor or guest speaker may be one of the current or past top executives in the Silicon Valley or leaders of social justice. In the Silicon Valley, what matters most is your ability to see beyond the horizon. Determination and grit will make you successful in one of the most influential places in the world.
We invite you to help solve the world's greatest needs through a Jesuit education in the most creative and innovative place in the world. Never be afraid to dream big or let yourself be limited by what others might determine is possible. Stop dreaming about living in Silicon Valley. Become a Santa Clara Bronco today!
