Levi’s Stadium: A Gateway to Sporting Opportunities for Santa Clara University Students
Just a stone’s throw away from the Santa Clara University campus, Levi’s Stadium is abuzz with anticipation as it prepares to host two of the world’s most prestigious sporting events: Super Bowl LX and the FIFA World Cup. For students of Santa Clara University (SCU), this proximity represents not just excitement but a golden opportunity to dive into the vibrant world of sports business right in their own backyard.
Bridging Connections: The Role of the Career Center
The recent “Students at the Stadium” career immersion event serves as a testament to the strong partnership between the SCU Career Center and the San Francisco 49ers. This year marked the third annual event, allowing dozens of Broncos to step directly into the heart of Bay Area sports. This initiative emphasizes SCU’s commitment to connecting students with industry leaders, facilitating a unique platform for students to explore career opportunities and gain invaluable insights into the sports industry.
Melissa Thiriez, the Career Center’s director of employer relations and partnerships, expressed the essence of SCU’s strategic location, stating, “One thing that makes Santa Clara so special is that we’re really in the middle of it all… This event highlights our ability as a university to connect students to employers and to what the Bay Area is about.”
A Diverse Pool of Talent
This year, over 50 students from various undergraduate and graduate programs were selected to participate in “Students at the Stadium.” The participants hailed from diverse majors—from marketing to engineering—reflecting the program’s inclusive approach. As Thiriez notes, students have been increasingly requesting opportunities to immerse themselves in workplace culture rather than just hearing traditional recruiting pitches.
In line with this demand, the Career Center has expanded its offerings, including industry tours and events like the recent Spring Break AI Immersion, where students visited esteemed companies like Nutanix and Adobe. These direct experiences allow students to engage critically with potential employers.
Insider Insights and Networking Opportunities
The “Students at the Stadium” event was designed to provide students with hands-on, practical insights into the workings of a professional sports franchise. It featured engaging elements such as fireside chats, breakout sessions, and small-group networking opportunities with 49ers staff across various departments, including marketing, analytics, and fan engagement.
For many of the participating students, the event was more than just an educational experience; it was a chance to connect on a personal level with industry professionals. Freshman communication major Emma Alvarez, a lifelong Niners fan, described her experience as a “pinch-me” moment. She shared, “Meeting the people behind this incredible team was so amazing; they were so welcoming and helpful.” The networking tips and interview preparation advice from industry experts left a lasting impression on her, fueling her ambitions for future career steps.
Broadening Horizons: The Multifaceted Impact on Students
The event also proved enlightening for students from diverse academic backgrounds. Brett de la Fuente, a bioengineering major on the pre-med track, initially felt his chosen field wouldn’t intersect with the sports industry. However, he found assurances that skills such as problem-solving and data fluency are crucial across various sectors of sports, showcasing how adaptability can lead to unexpected pathways in one’s career.
Successful Outcomes and Future Aspirations
Since SCU began participating in the “Students at the Stadium” events, several students have successfully transitioned into roles with the 49ers. Notable alumni like Jasmine Santacruz and Mo Lichaa have secured positions in Entertainment Operations, while Libby Slater has taken on a full-time role with the Game Presentation Field Team while pursuing her graduate studies in Sports Business. Their successes highlight the effectiveness of the Career Center’s initiatives, as the event provides genuine avenues for students to carve meaningful career paths in the competitive sports landscape.
The Drive for Ongoing Engagement
With strong employer partnerships and the evident enthusiasm from students eager to explore their career options, Thiriez sees the momentum only building from here. “We’ve built incredible momentum with these employer partnerships, and seeing students engage so deeply—and find meaningful career paths—only motivates us to keep expanding these opportunities.”
Through initiatives like this, SCU remains a pivotal player in shaping the future careers of its students, seamlessly connecting them to the broader industries that call the Bay Area home. As important events like the Super Bowl and World Cup loom on the horizon, one thing is clear: the stadium isn’t just a place for sports; it’s a launchpad for future careers.
