Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 22, 2026
Paid Internships for Santa Cruz Young Adults
TLDR
- Santa Cruz Works offers over 10 paid internships with local employers, giving young adults a competitive edge in building resumes and career connections.
- The AHSC Internship Opportunity Program, funded by a City of Santa Cruz grant, partners with Santa Cruz Works and Cabrillo College to place eligible young adults in paid, mentored roles.
- Paid internships through Santa Cruz Works and partners provide underserved young adults with wages, mentorship, and career pathways, fostering economic mobility and a stronger community.
- Santa Cruz Works and partners offer paid internships in fields like technology, sustainability, and media, with flexible schedules and no application cost.
Impact - Why it Matters
This program matters because it removes the financial barrier of unpaid internships, giving young adults from underserved communities a real chance to gain professional experience and build careers. By providing paid, mentored opportunities with local organizations, it not only helps individuals develop skills and confidence but also strengthens the local workforce and economy. In a region where housing costs are high and economic mobility can be limited, these internships offer a tangible step toward financial independence and career advancement. The collaboration between Santa Cruz Works, Cabrillo College, and the City of Santa Cruz demonstrates a community-driven approach to workforce development that could serve as a model for other regions.
Summary
Young adults in Santa Cruz County have a new pathway to paid employment and career development through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Internship Opportunity Program. 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 nonprofit organizations. The program targets young adults 18 and older, with priority given to residents of underserved communities such as Beach Flats, Lower Ocean, Live Oak, Watsonville, San Lorenzo Valley, and the Pajaro Valley. Interns will work 10 to 20 hours per week for up to six months, earning wages while gaining hands-on experience in fields like technology, marketing, media, sustainability, business operations, and community services. Each intern receives professional mentorship and builds skills that can lead to future employment. All internships must conclude by June 1, 2027.
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. The program builds on the success of its first cohort, which placed young adults in roles such as software engineering, marketing, communications, video production, and community outreach. For example, Yuliana Morales-Galvan helped improve digital tools for Indigenous families at Nurbli, Emily Ramirez developed social media skills at Clean Oceans International, and Elsa Tamayo gained marketing experience at Siena House. These experiences demonstrate how paid internships provide more than a paycheck—they build confidence, professional relationships, and credentials for future jobs and college applications.
Interested young adults are encouraged to apply soon by visiting Santa Cruz Works - Paid Internship Opportunities. Cabrillo College students can also complete the Student Interest Form linked on the program webpage. The AHSC Internship Opportunity Program is funded through a grant awarded to the City of Santa Cruz, which partnered with Santa Cruz Works to create these paid opportunities. Launched in June 2025 with Digital NEST, the program expanded in its second cohort to include Cabrillo College as a workforce development partner. Santa Cruz Works is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the economic vitality of the region, and Cabrillo College is a leading community college serving Santa Cruz County and the Monterey Bay region. Together, they are helping young adults from underserved communities gain the skills and connections needed to launch their careers.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by Newsworthy.ai. Read the original source here, Paid Internships for Santa Cruz Young Adults
