For many college graduates, the transition from the classroom to the workforce can feel like hitting a wall. Even with a freshly minted degree in hand, navigating a highly competitive job market without industry connections or professional experience is a daunting challenge. This was exactly the reality Cristian faced 2 years ago, after graduating from a 4-year university with a degree in graphic design.
That is, until Cristian found an opportunity right down the street from where he grew up.
Finding the NEST
Instead of having to uproot his life and move far away to jumpstart his career, Cristian applied to BizzNEST in his hometown of Salinas, California. Joining as a Senior Design Associate, Cristian found far more than a traditional internship; he found a career accelerator. BizzNEST immersed him in a project-based environment driven by mentorship, real-world accountability, and hands-on creative direction.
At BizzNEST, Cristian grew as a leader by:
- Managing and mentoring a dedicated team of peers.
- Working directly with corporate clients to navigate real-world creative briefs.
- Leading high-stakes projects and consistently delivering on tight deadlines.
The Adobe Journey
Cristian’s commitment to his craft quickly unlocked an extraordinary opportunity when BizzNEST took on Adobe as a client.
What started as producing a single video series for the Adobe Express YouTube channel rapidly grew into a series of strategic, high-impact projects. Soon, Cristian and the Digital NEST team were leading live product trainings directly at Adobe’s offices. That relationship expanded nationwide, taking Cristian to run trainings in Virginia, San Jose, San Francisco, Detroit, and Los Angeles.
This phenomenal work led to Cristian being designated as Digital NEST’s Adobe fellow, a full-time role, traveling across the country to deliver live product trainings and represent Digital NEST on a national stage.
“Suddenly… I became a kid from Salinas who was flying across the country.”
The Big News
Cristian’s hard work, determination, and talent have culminated in a massive milestone. This month, Cristian officially accepted a full-time offer to join Adobe as a Program Coordinator for their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team in San Jose! It’s a full-circle moment. He will step into his new career alongside the same team he has collaborated with through Digital NEST for the past year and a half.
Investing in Our Own
Before finding Digital NEST, Cristian notes that landing a full-time role at a global powerhouse like Adobe felt completely out of reach. He didn’t have industry connections or a playbook for breaking into tech.
“…I had no experience, no industry connections, and no blueprint for how to get there.”
Today, Cristian transitions into a NEST alum, a stronger leader, an expert problem-solver, and a confident professional ready to take on any challenge. His journey stands as a powerful testament to what happens when we intentionally invest in our local communities and empower our young people to take flight.
Support the Next Generation of Leaders
Cristian’s incredible journey from a graphic design graduate in Salinas to a full-time corporate role at Adobe is proof of what happens when we clear a path for local talent. But there are thousands more young people in our communities waiting for the tools, connections, and confidence to launch their own careers.
Help us keep our comprehensive training and mentorship 100% free for youth who need it most. Make a gift today.
