Presented by Jacob Martinez and Kelsey Flood
Digital NEST provides underserved youth from under-resourced rural communities in California with the skills, resources, and network to build and launch successful careers. We operate NEST centers in five cities in California: Watsonville, Salinas, Gilroy, Modesto, and soon Stockton. Our free programs provide a bridge for underserved youth—87% Latinx and 40% women—to enter tech careers from which they have been historically excluded. Since opening our doors, nearly 3,800 14–24-year-olds have engaged in Digital NEST programming, helping to create a more diverse tech workforce.
We work closely with tech businesses to engage their employees as mentors and to create a pipeline for NEST members so they can transition into paid internships and career-path positions. Alumni who secure tech jobs help ensure the door that was opened to them is open to other members by advocating for them and providing guidance as they begin their careers.
