‘Santa Clara has given me the confidence to take risks and bet on myself’

When Seattle native Audrey Schroeder ’26 arrived at Santa Clara University, she was looking for a community that could help her grow and find her purpose. By graduation, the finance major gained all that and more—including a job offer from one of the world’s most innovative technology companies.

This fall, Schroeder will join Apple’s Finance Development Program as an analyst, rotating across teams in areas like retail, treasury, and worldwide sales. The opportunity came through living in Silicon Valley, but also the tight-knit community at Santa Clara’s Leavey School of Business. A fellow student who completed the program encouraged her to apply for an internship, which led to a full-time offer. 

As an intern, Schroeder supported the research and development finance team, where she helped manage the expenses going toward creating and launching new products. She was surprised to find many Broncos already working at the company, including one of her managers. 

“At Apple, I had mentors who really wanted to give back to the Bronco community and that meant a lot to me as a student. I’d like to carry that same generosity with me when I join the alumni network after graduation,” Schroeder says.

Even as a student, Schroeder found ways to support others. As a peer career consultant at Leavey, Schroeder guided students through the internship application process, encouraging them to pair preparation with confidence as they navigate unfamiliar territory. She drew from her own experiences of landing intern roles at Apple and Sweetgreen, knowing firsthand how challenging the process can be.

“Helping younger students develop confidence and feel prepared to achieve their goals was really meaningful for me. It was great to see them become a little more confident than when I first met them,” says Schroeder, who has also penned a series of blogs on the recruitment process for future Broncos.

Her passion for mentorship spilled over into her work with the professional business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, where she served as new member educator and senior vice president. In these roles, she led a series of introductory courses for students looking to build their business and leadership skills, sharing practical advice she continues to live by.

“I’ve learned that even though something might seem daunting or a little intimidating, taking the first step is always the hardest. Once you open that door, there are so many opportunities you might not have known existed,” Schroeder says. “Santa Clara has given me the confidence to take risks and bet on myself.”

On what she has gained at Santa Clara 

“I’ve been able to build relationships with professors who genuinely want to help students learn and grow as people. When I was a freshman, I was very lucky to find community within the business school and Delta Sigma Pi. I met a lot of older students who served not only as friends, but also mentors. They showed me that I wanted to become something similar for younger students.”

On who she has become during college

“During my time at Santa Clara University, I’ve become more confident in myself. I’ve learned hard skills in my finance electives, and soft skills like leadership and mentorship from my involvement in on-campus organizations. I know how to navigate educational and professional environments, and I attribute a lot of that confidence to the university.”