Meet the AHSC Interns: Jared Esquivel at Innovation Within

First-year Cabrillo College Computer Science student Jared Esquivel has turned his passion for technology and creative problem-solving into a measurable impact during his internship at Innovation Within, an AI-powered customer discovery platform based in Santa Cruz.

Through the AHSC Internship Program, a partnership between Digital NEST, Santa Cruz Works, and local companies, students like Jared gain real-world experience while contributing to meaningful innovation in the regional tech ecosystem. The program bridges the gap between education and industry, connecting motivated students with high-impact projects that strengthen local businesses and provide tangible return on investment.

At Innovation Within, Esquivel worked on improving the company’s continuous integration platform, focusing on usability, workflow efficiency, and user experience. His day-to-day tasks involved reviewing features, documenting feedback, and identifying opportunities for smoother functionality, all of which directly supported Innovation Within’s mission of helping startups and corporations validate ideas using a customer-centric approach.

For Innovation Within, the benefit was clear. Esquivel’s user-focused analysis uncovered insights that streamlined processes and improved interface clarity, enhancing both product quality and client satisfaction. His perspective as a student and emerging developer provided a valuable external lens—helping Innovation Within refine its platform and strengthen its customer discovery tools.

Beyond technical contributions, the collaboration exemplified how the AHSC internship model benefits both companies and students. Businesses gain motivated talent capable of delivering actionable results, while students like Esquivel develop industry-level skills, professional confidence, and a sense of community impact.

After concluding his internship, Esquivel continues advancing access to technology through HackWatsonville, a hackathon he founded to empower underrepresented youth to explore innovation. His work at both Innovation Within and HackWatsonville demonstrates the powerful ripple effect of early investment in local talent—creating returns that extend from company growth to community transformation.