Digital NEST’s bizzNEST Internship Program is a Million-Dollar Investment in Youth

As we mark a decade of Digital NEST’s commitment to providing California’s underserved Latinx youth with the skills, resources, and a network to build and launch successful careers, I’m  proud to announce one of our most significant program expansions to date. We’ve made major upgrades to bizzNEST, our in-house digital media agency, where we offer youth a paid internship to work with real clients, and receive career coaching and mentorship to help them prepare for the next phase of their career journey. We’re paying interns more than $1 million in total salaries. That’s money going into their pockets to help support their families and their communities. By providing the interns salaries, we’re directly supporting families and stimulating economic growth in these communities. The new iteration of bizzNEST is the culmination of years of experience, client partnerships and intern development that embody the core of our mission.

At Digital NEST, we’ve reimagined an approach to youth empowerment by developing a comprehensive year-long program that includes professional skills, technical skills and career development. Antonia Franco, president and chief operating officer of Digital NEST, who leads bizzNEST notes, “This model allows us to provide a more connected experience within a structured cohort, incorporating mentorship and skill building for our interns.”

The response to a call for interns has been remarkable and surprising. From over 550 applications we received, we interviewed 120 candidates and selected 58 exceptional interns across our five California Centers: Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Modesto, and Stockton. The overwhelming interest underscores the critical need for professional experience among young people in our communities preparing to enter the workforce. The 2024 bizzNEST cohort represents not just our future, but the future of a more diverse and inclusive tech workforce. 

bizzNEST is different, both in its scale and the fact that the interns are paid. Intern ages range from 18-24 and many are first-generation college students. For most of them, this marks their first professional experience—a significant step backed by substantial investment from the Digital NEST in their development. These individuals embody talent, skill and dedication, positioning them to have a lasting impact on their families, communities and the broader professional landscape. The success of bizzNEST is already evident, with alumni working at companies such as Superset, Adobe, KSBW-TV, and Monterey Bay Aquarium. 

At the Digital NEST, we’re cultivating a pool of diverse, skilled professionals in Silicon Valley’s backyard. We’re signaling to the industry that in one year, a cohort of diverse talent will be professionally prepared and ready to launch their careers, providing the diverse talent companies claim they want. Join us in ensuring this talent finds a workplace where they can thrive.

Through bizzNEST, we’re not merely training the next generation of tech professionals—we’re reshaping the landscape of opportunity in underserved communities. This is the essence of Digital NEST, and I am proud of our achievements and excited for what lays ahead.