“I’ve always used my connections to bring opportunities back to my community.”
For new grads looking to land an entry-level job market, it’s not just about what you know; it’s about who you know. Lizeth, a former Video Production Intern at Digital NEST, felt this pressure directly. Today, she’s a Production Coordinator for Mark Rober’s CrunchLabs, but her path there relied on her Digital NEST network rather than a standard job board.
From Juggling Jobs to a Career On-Ramp
Before joining the NEST, Lizeth cycled through three jobs to stay afloat while managing what she called a “post-grad depression.” At 20, she felt she had already fallen behind. A mentor suggested she attend an Open House at Digital NEST. That’s where she met founder Jacob Martinez and Center Manager Carolina.
Digital NEST is designed like an Economic Mobility Highway, recognizing that youth enter and exit the NEST at different stages of career readiness and need specific acceleration lanes to achieve the next step in their career journeys.
Building Technical Skills and Social Capital
Lizeth spent a year in BizzNEST, our in-house creative agency, mastering technical production, including scriptwriting, professional lighting, and broadcast-quality editing. Being a Video lead in BizzNEST allowed her to earn a salary while building a portfolio through real-world projects for external clients.
While these skills are foundational, technical ability alone rarely guarantees long-term career mobility for first-generation professionals. At the NEST, members also build Social Capital: the professional and peer networks that provide access to wealth-building opportunities.
The Network in Practice
The value of the NEST network became concrete when Lizeth met and connected with alum Marco during a NEST event. Their shared history at the NEST led Marco to encourage Lizeth to apply to a position on his team at CrunchLabs. Lizeth got the job.
Today, Lizeth manages international crews and complex logistics for global productions, including the “Ronaldo vs. My Unbeatable Goalie Robot” video. (Yes, she met Cristiano Ronaldo.) Her career has taken her to Portugal and beyond, while offering the income, benefits, and advancement opportunities necessary for long-term financial stability.
Creating Room for Others
When Lizeth noticed a lack of Latina representation on major production sets, she decided to use her influence to change that. While working on a Sesame Street special for Netflix, she hired two BizzNEST Associates she had mentored to serve as Production Assistants. By using her own professional network, she brought more members of her community into the industry.
A Professional Anchor for the Community
Digital NEST serves as a professional anchor for over 4,700 youth in five cities. We prioritize preparing members for high-income careers that drive community revitalization.
Your support funds the mentorship, paid experience, and networking infrastructure that allow youth like Lizeth to compete on a global stage.
Support the next generation of professionals. Donate today at digitalnest.org/donate.
About BizzNEST
BizzNEST is Digital NEST’s creative agency, providing professional web, marketing, and media services to local and global clients. 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.
