January break is not time off for those students who have a sharp interest in innovation. Thirty-five undergraduate and graduate students had early mornings and late nights as they became fully immersed in the Silicon Valley ecosystem by way of live case sessions with founders, CEOs, and investors; deep dives into the minds of innovative leaders; and plenty of opportunities to get to know alumni and other guest experts who bring life to the startup ecosystem.
Lehigh Silicon Valley (LSV) is the Baker Institute's flagship weeklong winter term program immersing students in the Bay Area. It begins on campus in December with dinner and a full day of activities with Southside Bethlehem innovators. In January, LSV pops it into fifth gear, starting with a three-day remote program that includes case challenges, introductions to key topics like venture capital, and conversations with CEOs, startup advisers, angel investors, authors, and professors.
Then off to California for an intense week of discussion, brainstorming, tours, and networking with notable entrepreneurs and alumni leaders at companies including Lyft, Amazon, Adobe, Alaska Airlines, eBay, Cisco, and WorkBistro. Students talked about leading teams, raising capital, and scaling enterprises while learning a lot about themselves and their futures.
Meet a few students involved and all they took from the program.
Ella Rossetti ’25
Economics and Cognitive Science, Dual Degree
Why LSV
Lehigh offers countless opportunities for students to broaden their experiences and knowledge outside time on campus. Traveling outside Lehigh, which is often encouraged, opens us up to new perspectives as we explore cities and cultures bigger than Bethlehem. I try to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. When I saw LSV through the Baker Institute, I thought it would be a great opportunity to visit the West Coast and explore the Silicon Valley environment to better understand what I might do after graduation.
Value to You
I gained valuable connections with the people around me throughout the experience. Fostering relationships is important to me, so it was nice to see how people-oriented Silicon Valley is. This helped me discern that the business world is one I want to be a part of.
Personal Realization
It was inspiring to see that success doesn’t always mean taking a singular path. Being in the College of Arts and Sciences, it doesn’t always seem like business is the clearest career path for me. Yet I met so many alumni with engineering degrees who work as leaders in business. Though I am neither an engineer nor a business student, it showed me that there are so many different paths to success and that my unique skills pave the formation of such.
Network Building
I met so many people from engineers to MBAs. LSV was incredible as a peer-to-peer experience. The students involved are a unique cohort of like-minded driven, yet social, students. We spent hours bonding in our hotel lobby after hours, giving and getting advice. Now they are new familiar faces on campus and trusted resources.
The professionals we met were incredible as well. Everyone was extremely receptive to helping us in any way they could, whether by providing inspiration or advice or even offering to connect us with people in their network that would be more helpful. I have connected with most of them on LinkedIn, and I know that if I asked them to meet with me for a quick call they would be willing. Prior to this experience, I would have been intimidated to reach out to them, but they are so down-to-earth despite their titles, power, and accomplishments.
Fernanda Lazarte ’23
Economics
(She is holding on for dear life to the bookcase)
Why LSV
After a significant personal tragedy, I took a leave of absence for the fall semester. A friend of mine participated in LSV last year, and I thought that being part of it would be a great way to ease back into school. I have dreamed of starting my own business for years, hoping to find a product or service that can make people’s lives easier. I thought this experience would help inspire me.
Value to You
Meeting with alumni was very valuable. I learned so much from them and enjoyed hearing the steps they have taken in their careers. I heard from Nadine Elsayed ’18, brand and executive communications manager at Adobe — how she traveled to California where she didn’t really know anyone or have family but was motivated and independent in order to make her dreams a reality.
Personal Realization
I often thought about my career on a certain trajectory: Study, intern, get an offer, and accept it. I now see that I can push myself harder and follow my passions. I see that I have the ability to create an innovative solution and trust there are people around to help me.
Network Building
I met startup founders and venture capitalists, many of whom gave me great and needed advice for the beginning of my career. From several people across this experience I heard a repeated message about being in a job that they didn’t love but found hard to leave. I want to be aware of when I am headed toward a similar situation. More so, I want to push myself for more, to pursue creativity over certainty. I am now in constant contact with the Baker staff for their advice. They along with my peers from the trip are so understanding and helpful. They are great friends on whom I rely.
Skyler Mott ’25
Business and Cognitive Science, Dual Degree
Why LSV
I am familiar with Baker. I run MottsGambit.com, a business that teaches young children chess to develop cognitive skills. The program seemed perfect for an entrepreneur like me. At Lehigh my philosophy is to do as many things as possible to take advantage of this experience.
Value to You
I built strong connections with the hosts and participants. All were like-minded and seek to make a difference in the world. Each helped to open my eyes to what’s possible as long as I create my own path. A career path does not have to be linear.
Personal Realization
It’s important to be wrong and make mistakes. It’s important to believe and push what you are doing, even if no one else believes. It’s important to remember that profit is important, but it will come if you’re doing something you love that matters in the world.
Network Building
The people out there want us to reach out, and the network is huge. I have connected on LinkedIn, sent emails, and asked questions. They have provided so many pointers and ideas on leadership, marketing strategies, and hiring.
Emily Schmidt ‘24
IDEAS
Why LSV
I took a class with Prof. Kauzmann and liked what I was learning. I wanted to do something over break that would get me outside my comfort zone, both academically and geographically.
Value to You
The professional exposure is valuable. I got a glimpse of how the real world works with people in high-stakes jobs. It was inspirational, especially hearing from successful alumni who were like me, not sure what they wanted to do, followed an opportunity, and now are passionate about a career. No matter a student’s major, I would recommend LSV.
Personal Realization
It reinforced what I seek. I like to talk to people, so when I do research I want to do it in a collaborative environment rather than just sitting at a desk on my own. I want a fast-paced job and active culture. I want to work at the intersection of science and policy. I see that such work requires interdisciplinary thinking with people from different backgrounds. I also learned that at any point in life, whether personally or professionally, I shouldn’t be afraid to take risks.
Network Building
The students I met are doing interesting things, so I want to stay connected with them and watch as they advance those ideas. The alumni offered great advice and were really relatable. Connecting with speakers on a personal level was more important than what their job title was because titles change, but the way they approach challenges is where the really valuable advice lies.
Emma Harrelson ’23G
MBA
Why LSV
I grew up near Silicon Valley and graduated with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from USC. Because of my childhood, I am familiar with the companies in that region, but as an employed adult I now want to learn about the region from a different perspective, accessing the professionals to listen to leaders who are building startups, defining cultures at organizations, making products, and understanding what I am experiencing as an engineer and project manager.
Value to You
My spouse and I are expecting our first child. So it was wonderful to hear how to be a woman, mother, employee, and leader. Fewer than 3% of angel investments go to women, so it was amazing to hear from Sue Baggott ’83, who targets investments in ventures led by underrepresented groups. I heard how mothers in business bring more patience, empathy, and time management — skills often undervalued in the workforce. There is a power in being a parent while building a professional self. I can be driven at work and not give up any professional ambitions while also being a mom.
Personal Realization
Having the fire to launch an idea doesn’t have to happen while I am young. I am not going to miss my chance by not doing it right now. When I am older, I will have a broader network of people around me and a stronger financial base for risk. I can eliminate some risks by waiting and being more ready.
Network Building
It was really awesome to cultivate a network and have some time with students whom I had never met. The women hosts at LSV were great to get to know. Only through experiences like LSV will I get such a chance to gain that exposure. Nowhere else.
Kayla Miller ’23
Marketing and Business Information
Why LSV
I have taken a class with Prof. Kauzmann and enjoyed my exposure to design thinking and the entrepreneurial mindset. I will be working at Goldman Sachs in Dallas, Texas, after graduation, so it was great to get ready by having real-life experiences and conversations with people in the field.
Value to You
I was able to hear stories where people had to pivot in order to find their value and worth in a competitive space. As a first-generation student on full financial aid at Lehigh, I could understand that maneuvering. I was able to listen to venture capitalists, leaders at private equity firms, and consultants. Exposure to their experiences truly helps me on my path.
Personal Realization
It was great to see women in leadership — how their voices reflected my own. They stressed how important it is to find our why — to understand our core values and soft skills and make sure we are being our authentic selves.
Network Building
I am regularly emailing people I met, both students and hosts. The students now hang out and are planning a reunion. We share this moment and are truly building off it and each other.