Our Alumni
Because of higher education, our Peninsula Bridge scholars are equipped with a 4 year college degree, confidence and invaluable academic and personal skills. Our alumni lead a life with meaning, purpose and talent within their communities. Working in over 30 companies in Silicon Valley, they are redefining leadership and bringing ambition, drive and curiosity to the workforce.
Our robust 13 year program model provides wrap around support including career readiness skills and development. 88% of our current college graduates are working career-ladder jobs or internships. Moreover, the national average student debt for a 4-year Bachelor’s degree is $34,700. With our help, the average student debt for Peninsula Bridge students is $9,405 upon college graduation.
Meet a few of the Peninsula Bridge Scholars making an impact as leaders in the workforce.
Samantha
Williams College Class of 2023
Samantha was raised in Redwood City and graduated from Williams College with degrees in Political Science and Latina/o Studies. She now works at Bertram Capital, coordinating the Origination and Capital Markets team. In her role, Samantha supports the deal flow process, handles CRM integration and data entry, and assists with the preparation of marketing materials and operational responsibilities. Samantha first interned with Bertram Capital in 2022, an opportunity made possible by their partnership with Peninsula Bridge. After a successful summer, Samantha continued working at Bertram in a remote role her senior year, and transitioned to a full-time position after graduating college.
In her free time, Samantha enjoys baking, reading, traveling, and giving back to the Peninsula Bridge community. She recently shared her professional journey with Peninsula Bridge high school students during our 2023 Professionals of College Panel.
“I would not be where I am today without Peninsula Bridge. Not only did they help me through the arduous process of college applications, but they also introduced me to an internship that has become my full time job. PB has provided me with moral support, career and academic workshops, and, even now as a graduate, a community where I can celebrate my background and pay forward what I have received from them.”
Santiago
Harvard University Class of 2023
Santiago (Santy) grew up in East Palo Alto and graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Computer Science. He now works as an Implementation Engineer at Recidiviz. In his role, Santy works with state prisons to make their databases more functional and, in turn, easier to obtain more decarceral opportunities. Throughout college, Santy also interned as a Software Engineer at Meta and Light Co.
Santy aspires to continue to use his engineering skills to help others make the world a better place. Santy wants to continue giving back to Peninsula Bridge by being someone that younger Peninsula Bridge scholars can rely on for advice or support. Outside of the office and his volunteer work, Santy enjoys weightlifting, watching anime shows, playing the accordion, and learning Portuguese.
“Peninsula Bridge has been a crucial asset in my academic journey since I joined the program. It provided a supportive environment where I connected with peers from my community, all sharing the goal of becoming the first in our families to attend college. Through Peninsula Bridge, I established meaningful connections that opened doors to internships and various opportunities. Moreover, the program introduced me to a mentor who not only offered valuable insights into the professional world but also provided guidance on navigating life's challenges. Peninsula Bridge has consistently served as a dependable support system, contributing significantly to my success in diverse situations.”
Jorge
Denison University Class of 2022
Jorge was raised in San Mateo and graduated from Denison University with degrees in both Mathematics and Spanish. Currently, Jorge works at FICO as a FP&A Analyst. In his role, he is responsible for reporting and forecasting, and works closely with sales to support the signing of new deals.
Throughout college, Jorge had numerous finance internships at Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Bertram Capital, and FICO - which he successfully turned into a full-time role.
Jorge currently serves as a member of the Peninsula Bridge Alumni Board and volunteers with 11th & 12th grade students at Peninsula Bridge’s Saturday Academy. Jorge plans to further his involvement with Peninsula Bridge as a mentor for a high school or college student.
“Bridge has become another family for me. It is a reliable, supportive, and safe community where I can learn, have fun, and maintain relationships I've had with adults and students since elementary school. More importantly, thanks to Bridge's support, I was able to achieve my goal of becoming the first in my family to graduate from college in May 2022 when I graduated from Denison University.”