Digital career internship is ‘opening a path’ for underserved youth in Modesto
Since opening its Modesto branch last year, Digital NEST has expanded its bizzNEST internship program to equip even more youth with technical and professional skills for the workforce.
The program has grown from 22 paid interns last year to 55 this year across all branches.
The program seeks to link young people with companies both local and elsewhere, providing mentorship and career guidance that many participants wouldn’t have access to otherwise. Jacob Martinez, founder and CEO of Digital NEST, emphasized that this support is especially important for students from families without professional backgrounds.
“It just shows the need in communities like ours that they’re looking for paid opportunities to help them build their career,” Martinez said.
One intern, Christopher Loya, said he appreciates the technical training and the professional environment. He enjoys the structure of the internship, from the meetings to the daily tasks assigned. He first got interested in web development in high school.
“I like the problem-solving aspect of it,” Loya, 21, said.
Graphic design intern Andrew Eversley finds the program a unique opportunity to pursue a field not always accessible in the Central Valley. Originally from Merced, he intends to remain in the local area.
“I don’t think there’s as many opportunities for [graphic design] in the Central Valley compared to the Bay, but I’m glad [Digital NEST is] opening a path,” Eversley, 22, said.
Digital NEST, short for Nurturing Entrepreneurial Skills with Technology, is a nonprofit that launched in Watsonville in 2014 and has since expanded to Salinas, Gilroy and Modesto, with a new center to open in Stockton in November. The organization continues its mission of providing young people — particularly those from underserved communities — with access to technology, professional development and mentorship.
Modesto’s bizzNEST center currently is home to 16 interns, with 10 from Modesto and six from Stockton. According to Martinez, narrowing down over 550 applicants was a challenge, but they focused on selecting individuals with relevant experience and clear career aspirations.
“We’re looking for the ones that can most benefit from going through our program,” he said.
It’s the first paid, professional job for many interns
Interns work 15 to 20 hours per week on a variety of projects, including design, video production and digital media for a range of clients. For many, this is their first paid, professional job and a significant step in building their portfolios. Interns earn between $17 and $20 per hour.
In addition to hands-on experience, interns receive ongoing support through resume building, one-on-one coaching from industry mentors and networking events. They also take part in field trips, such as attending an AI conference in San Francisco, and fireside chats with local industry professionals, which connect them to job opportunities close to home.
Member specialist Gabriela Diaz said the program helps build the interns as competitive candidates for the workforce.
Digital NEST serves youth ages 14 to 24 through various programs that cater to different career stages. The organization emphasizes career exploration for teens ages 14 to 17, offering hands-on learning experiences.
For older participants ages 18 to 24, the focus shifts toward more specialized training and real-world work experience in fields like graphic design, website development and video production.
Martinez said the organization tries to keep youth in the Central Valley by connecting them with companies that offer remote or hybrid work.
“Our goal is to keep them local as much as possible,” said Martinez, citing examples of former interns who now work at E.&J. Gallo Winery or teach within the program itself.
Individuals interested in Digital NEST’s job training and career development programs can complete an interest form on their website.
This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 12:00 PM.
