Young adults in Santa Cruz County who have been shut out of career-building opportunities by unpaid internships now have a paid alternative. Santa Cruz Works, in partnership with Cabrillo College and the City of Santa Cruz, is offering more than 10 paid internships with local businesses and nonprofits through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Internship Opportunity Program. The initiative specifically targets young adults 18 and older living in underserved communities, with priority given to residents of Beach Flats, Lower Ocean, Live Oak, Watsonville, San Lorenzo Valley, and the Pajaro Valley. The program matters because unpaid internships often exclude young people who cannot afford to work for free, reinforcing economic disparities. By providing wages, flexible schedules of 10 to 20 hours per week for up to six months, professional mentorship, and career development, the program creates a realistic pathway into the workforce for those who need it most.
The internships span a range of fields including technology, marketing, media, sustainability, business operations, and community services. Participating organizations include Clean Oceans International, Coastwoods Real Estate / Legacy Property, GeoPulse Solutions Inc., KRML, Mission Hill Creamery, People First of Santa Cruz, Sarah Marschall Strategy, Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation, Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery, Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center, Treeswax, and United Way of Santa Cruz County. All internships must conclude by June 1, 2027. The program builds on a successful first cohort that placed interns in roles such as software engineering, marketing, communications, video production, and community outreach. Yuliana Morales-Galvan, a software engineering intern at Nurbli, helped improve digital tools supporting Indigenous families. Emily Ramirez developed social media and outreach skills at Clean Oceans International, while Elsa Tamayo gained marketing and communications experience at Siena House. These examples show that paid internships provide more than a paycheck: they build confidence, professional relationships, and experience that strengthens future job and college applications.
For students at Cabrillo College, the program offers a direct link between education and employment. Cabrillo College joined as a workforce development partner in the program's second cohort, expanding its reach. The initiative is funded through a grant awarded to the City of Santa Cruz and launched in June 2025 with Digital NEST. Young adults interested in applying can view available positions and submit applications through Santa Cruz Works - Paid Internship Opportunities. There is no cost to apply. Parents, teachers, counselors, and community organizations are encouraged to share the opportunities with eligible young adults. By removing financial barriers and providing real work experience, the AHSC Internship Opportunity Program aims to support economic mobility, career readiness, and a stronger local workforce in Santa Cruz County.
