“I still can’t believe I’m getting paid to do something I genuinely love.”
Brenda is a graphic design major at San Jose State University, but she isn’t waiting for graduation to start her career. At Digital NEST, she found a place where her ambitions are reinforced by a professional community right in her own neighborhood.
A Professional Anchor
Research shows that for young people to thrive, they need more than just home and school. They need a “Third Place,” a consistent, physical space where they can gather, connect, and grow. These spaces are associated with economic mobility, yet they are in decline across the country, particularly in rural and Hispanic communities.
Our NEST centers fill this gap. They are an anchor for local youth, where they are welcomed by local staff who live and work in their communities.
For Brenda, this isn’t just a convenience; it’s a lifeline. She commutes to San Jose several days a week for upper-division courses, a heavy lift that requires budgeting both her time and her gas tank.
“Having a Digital NEST center close to home makes the experience economically sustainable,” she said.
Belonging Leads to Becoming
Brenda first joined Digital NEST as a member and enrolled in our graphic design class to complement her classwork and better her understanding of Adobe.
Then, she applied and was accepted to BizzNEST. As a General Design Associate, she is reinforcing her classroom theory with paid, hands-on work experience.
“I have a leg up on showcasing school projects because of the hands-on professional experience I’m getting at Digital NEST,” Brenda said. “Presenting concepts seems a lot cleaner, design justification comes out smoother… Digital NEST has assisted in that growth of professionalism.”
The Full Cycle: Economic Justice
At the NEST, belonging comes first. When a young person feels they truly belong in a professional environment, they begin the journey of becoming.
Brenda is proud of what her story represents for her family. As a first-generation young professional, she feels like she’s living her parents’ dreams, changing the narrative, and creating a world of possibilities for herself and for the new members who look up to her.
In a world where community spaces are disappearing, your support keeps the NEST open. Help us provide the space for youth like Brenda to belong and become.
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About BizzNEST:
BizzNEST is Digital NEST’s creative agency, providing professional web, marketing, and media services to clients like Adobe and the BlueZones Project. The program bridges a critical career gap by providing the paid, real-world experience first-generation professionals need to build portfolios and land full-time jobs. To directly support these young leaders, Digital NEST reinvests roughly $1 million in annual salaries back into its associates.
