Audrey Schroeder: Mentorship at Santa Clara University
One of the most influential aspects of my SCU experience has been the mentorship I’ve received from older students. By participating in multiple business school organizations, I was exposed to upperclassmen from my very first week on campus. Some of these mentorship relationships were formally assigned, while others developed organically through shared interests and conversations. In both cases, upperclassmen played a critical role in helping me navigate college—academically, professionally, and personally.
During my sophomore year, I was assigned a senior mentor through a business school program. As a finance major, I was initially surprised to be paired with a management student. At first, I wondered how helpful the relationship would be given our different academic paths. However, by approaching the mentorship with an open mind, I quickly realized how valuable a slightly different perspective could be. My mentor offered practical advice on classes, shared insights from internships, and reflected honestly on what it felt like to be nearing the end of college. Hearing those reflections helped me think more intentionally about how I wanted to spend the remainder of my time at SCU.
That experience taught me an important lesson: mentorship does not need to come from someone following the exact same path. In fact, mentors with similar but different experiences can introduce new ways of thinking, challenge assumptions, and broaden one’s understanding of what is possible. Sometimes, it is the differences—not the similarities—that make a mentorship relationship most impactful.
At the same time, more specific mentorship has been equally important to my development. I’ve been fortunate to connect with students who offered guidance on particular aspects of my life, from navigating my finance major to preparing for study abroad. These relationships were often informal—conversations after meetings, quick check-ins, or advice over coffee—but they were incredibly meaningful. Student mentors bring a unique perspective because they are often experiencing the same challenges in real time or have just recently overcome them. That proximity allows for deeper empathy and more honest conversations.
What makes student mentorship especially powerful is its accessibility. It doesn’t require a formal title, structured meetings, or a long-term commitment. It simply requires curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to learn from others. At SCU, opportunities to find mentorship are everywhere—in classrooms, student organizations, campus jobs, and professional experiences. The key is being intentional about seeking guidance and remaining open to learning from unexpected sources.