Profiles

Orientation Leader
Santa Clara University Center for Student Ingagement

Accounting and Information Systems Major
Hometown: Muntinlupa City, Philippines

What are you doing this summer? This summer, I worked as an Orientation Leader at Santa Clara University, welcoming incoming students and helping them feel more confident and comfortable as they began their college journey. I helped lead Orientation activities, answered questions, shared my own experiences about life at SCU, and worked with an amazing team to create a welcoming and supportive environment for new Broncos.

Hopefully you’ve grown both professionally and personally from this summer experience. Name one or two “life” lessons you learned and will carry forward after graduation. One of the biggest lessons I learned is the importance of being adaptable, as not everything will go according to plan, and not every group of students will be the same as the last. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is stay positive and figure things out as you go. I also learned that small actions, like remembering someone’s name, listening to their concerns, or making sure no one feels left out, can have a much bigger impact than you realize.

What has been the most memorable part of your experience? The most memorable part of my summer experience was seeing students connect with one another, find their people, and become more comfortable and confident throughout orientation. Knowing that I could help make someone’s first experience at SCU a little less overwhelming reminded me why I wanted to become an Orientation Leader in the first place.

What advice would you give to younger students who are searching for summer opportunities? Don’t be afraid to apply for opportunities that push you outside your comfort zone, even if you’re not sure you’re the “perfect” candidate. Look for experiences that genuinely interest you and give you the chance to meet new people, learn more about yourself, and develop skills you can carry with you long after the summer ends.