Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Workforce Development Grant

Internship Opportunity Program (IOP)

The City of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Works, and Digital NEST recently announced a collaboration to strengthen our local workforce and support and fund paid internships for young adults in underserved areas of Santa Cruz County: the Santa Cruz Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Workforce Development Grant Internship Opportunity Program (IOP).

This program aims to provide interns with valuable experience and skills in their chosen field, preparing them for full-time careers by increasing their technical and soft skills and boosting their career readiness confidence, ultimately leading to successful post-internship employment.

For employers, you receive up to $10,000 to pay for your intern, gain access to fresh perspectives and innovative ideas from individuals often trained in the latest industry trends, which can spark new solutions and approaches within your company. Internships also create a low-risk pipeline for future talent and significantly reduce the time and cost associated with recruitment. Interns can boost productivity and free up your experienced staff to focus on more strategic initiatives. It's also an excellent opportunity for your current employees to develop valuable mentorship skills. Beyond these direct benefits, hosting an intern enhances your company's brand and demonstrates positive community engagement, all while offering a cost-effective way to expand or explore new and existing projects or technologies with extra support.

This program matches interns with local employers for a fully paid, six-month internship, giving you valuable support for your business and providing youth with vital work experience. $10,000 will be provided to local companies to compensate interns.

Local companies interested in hosting a paid intern through this program are encouraged to fill out this form: bit.ly/iopsantacruz

Expectations and Requirements

Santa Cruz Works is accepting and reviewing applications from employers interested in hosting an intern. Digital Nest will provide targeted outreach to local residents (ages 18-24) to participate in the Program who live in disadvantaged census tracts in Santa Cruz County, including the nearby census tracts to the awarded AHSC grant project that include the Beach Flats and Lower Ocean neighborhoods in the City of Santa Cruz. Digital NEST will handle the initial screening of candidates and provide a pool of qualified applicants for employers to review. Employers are responsible for scheduling and conducting final interviews and selecting their preferred intern from the provided candidates

Throughout the internship, Santa Cruz Works and Digital NEST will regularly check in with both the employer and the intern to monitor progress. At the program's conclusion, both parties will receive a short survey to assess its success. A signed agreement will be required from all participants.

Employer Responsibilities

CANDIDATE SELECTION

Companies are responsible for conducting final interviews (from Digital NEST’s candidate pool) and selection of their intern.

ONBOARDING AND INTEGRATION

A. Pre-Arrival Communication 

  1. Welcome email with essential information (start time, dress code, what to expect, etc). 

  2. Share company resources (employee handbook, organizational chart). 

  3. Assign a buddy, mentor, or supervisor that the intern can go to to ask questions or address concerns with. 

B. First Day/Week Orientation

  1. HR Onboarding: Paperwork completion and benefits overview (if applicable).  

  2. IT Setup: Laptop, software, network access, email (if required).

  3. Team Introductions: Meet direct team and key stakeholders (recommended).

  4. Office Tour/Virtual Walkthrough: Familiarize with workspace and resources. 

  5. Company Overview: Mission, values, culture, history, current projects. 

  6. Intern/Employee Handbook/Guide: Share any handbooks your company has.

  7. Tracking hours/tasks completed: Have the intern track their work hours and tasks each day on a time log sheet. Please send a copy of the timesheet to us at the end of each month. We may need a copy of this in the future so hold onto it for reference for at least 1 year.

C. Assigning Meaningful Projects & Tasks

  1. Project/Program/Task Alignment: Ensure projects, programs, and/or tasks align with the intern's skills, interests, and program goals. 

  2. Clear Deliverables: Define expectations, deadlines, and success metrics. 

  3. Start with manageable tasks: Break down tasks, explain why and how things work, build confidence and understanding.

  4. Variety of Experiences: Offer exposure to different aspects of the business.

MENTORSHIP

Provide Dedicated Supervisor/Mentor

  1. Role Definition: Clearly define responsibilities and expectations for the intern. Offer guidance and feedback on what is working well and what could be improved (and program/project oversight if needed). 

  2. Training: Equip supervisors with mentoring skills and program expectations. 

  3. Regular Check-ins: Schedule 1:1 meetings for progress updates, feedback, answer questions, and provide connections to industry to support the development of the intern.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the internship?

Internships should be approximately six months long in duration.

When does the internship start?

Internship start dates will be unique to each employer and intern agreement.

Are these internships paid?

Yes, companies will receive up to $10,000 each from Santa Cruz Works to compensate their interns.

What is the expected time commitment for the intern?

10-40 hours per week, but this will vary from internship to internship.

I am a young adult who would like to participate in this program, how do I sign up?

Please reach out to Catherine Wright via cathy@digitalnest.org and let her know you are interested in the AHSC internship opportunity program and what part of town you reside in.

What are the benefits of participating in this program?

Participating in this internship program offers several significant benefits to employers:

  • Access to Pre-Screened Talent: Digital NEST handles the initial screening, saving employers time and resources in the recruitment process by providing a pool of qualified and motivated candidates.

  • Cost-Effective Resource: Since this internship is fully paid for by Santa Cruz Works through the The City of Santa Cruz Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Workforce Development Grant, it is a uniquely cost effective opportunity for employers.

  • Fresh Perspectives and Innovation: Interns, often students or recent graduates, bring new ideas, up-to-date knowledge, and a fresh perspective to existing challenges. Their enthusiasm and different viewpoints can spark creativity and introduce innovative solutions.

  • Increased Productivity and Support: Interns can assist with various tasks, from routine administrative duties to specific project segments, freeing up current employees to focus on higher-level, more strategic initiatives. This can boost overall team productivity and efficiency.

  • Employee Development and Mentorship: Hosting an intern provides current employees with valuable opportunities to develop their leadership, mentorship, and supervisory skills. This fosters a culture of learning and professional growth within the organization.

  • Enhanced Employer Branding and Community Engagement: Participating in such a program demonstrates a company's commitment to community development and talent nurturing, enhancing its reputation as a desirable employer. It can also build stronger relationships with local educational institutions and organizations like Santa Cruz Works and Digital NEST.

  • Pipeline for Future Hires: Internships serve as an excellent "try-before-you-buy" opportunity. Employers can assess an intern's skills, work ethic, and cultural fit over an extended period, significantly reducing the risk and cost associated with traditional hiring for full-time positions. Many successful interns transition into full-time roles, already familiar with the company's operations and culture.

What kind of candidates can employers expect from Digital NEST?

Employers working with Digital NEST can expect interns with a strong foundation in various digital and professional skills, primarily within the 18-24 age range. Digital NEST's "bizzNEST" program, their in-house digital media agency, provides hands-on, paid internship experience, preparing interns for real-world client projects.

Technical Skills: Digital NEST interns typically have experience or training in areas such as:

  • Web & Graphic Design: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Figma, WordPress, Squarespace, HTML/CSS. They can work on user research, wireframes, site structure, visual design, and branding.

  • Video Production: DSLR/Cinema cameras, production equipment (lighting, audio), Adobe Creative Suite / DaVinci Resolve. They gain experience in pre-production (storyboarding, scripts), production (camera operation, grip & lighting, audio), and post-production (editing, color correction, motion graphics).

  • Digital Marketing: Canva, social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), content creation for various platforms, market research, content calendars, email marketing.

  • Web Development: (Focus on front-end) HTML, CSS, WordPress theme/plugin customization, responsive design.

  • IT Support: While less explicitly detailed, Digital NEST's broader focus on technology suggests some interns may have basic IT knowledge.

Professional ("Soft") Skills: Digital NEST emphasizes and develops crucial professional skills, meaning employers can expect interns who demonstrate:

  • Strong Communication: Effective oral, written, and non-verbal communication, active listening, and openness to feedback.

  • Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to build positive working relationships and contribute effectively in team settings.

  • Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Identifying issues, analyzing information, developing options, and implementing solutions.

  • Organizational & Time Management: Managing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and attention to detail.

  • Initiative & Adaptability: Eagerness to learn, independently seeking resources, and adapting to new environments and tasks.

  • Self-Awareness: Understanding their strengths and growth areas.

  • Creativity and Curiosity: Developing new approaches and ideas.