LA’s Tech Community Launches New Initiative to Create 1,000 Tech Internships for Students from Underserved Areas in Los Angeles
The program is starting in South LA in partnership with UNITE-LA, and is partially funded with a $85K grant from Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell to provide one hundred internships for students in that area.
LOS ANGELES — On July 14th LA-Tech.org, a nonprofit coalition founded by the Los Angeles tech industry to expand economic opportunity for LA communities historically disconnected from the sector, announced a new initiative to provide 1,000 paid internships to students over the next two years. The first 100 internships will center around young people from South LA and is supported by UNITE-LA, a nonprofit organization that leads collaborative education reform efforts, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and the Cornerstone onDemand Foundation.
Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell said “I am proud that my office has partnered with LA-Tech.org to connect 100 youth from South LA to opportunities within the tech industry. South LA is in the heart of the Second Supervisorial District and home to creative, talented and driven young people who want to work in tech but need support with accessing pathways into the vibrant careers within our growing tech industry. I am proud that LA County is helping to remove barriers for tech companies to onboard interns by helping to subsidize the cost. This will allow for our young people to be paid while earning meaningful experiences and helping to contribute to companies in need of their talent. It’s truly a win-win.”
The program is a proactive approach by the LA tech community to increase diversity in their industry and to enact positive impact in underrepresented communities. The emphasis is on young people’s first-ever internship in tech as this is key to unlocking the earning potential of a high-growth industry. Research conducted by Measure of America has shown that young people who choose a career in tech over a median job in LA County earn $2M over their lifetime.
The paid internships typically last between 10-12 weeks with the first cohort of approximately 20 students starting the week of July 19th. LA-Tech.org also works one-on-one with the tech companies to design and map out the internship experience and provide regular check-ins so the companies feel fully equipped to provide exceptional internships.
“I’m thrilled that our community of tech visionaries has risen to the challenge and built such an inspiring program,” said Adam Miller, Co-Chair of LA-Tech.org and Founding CEO of Cornerstone OnDemand. “The 1,000 interns initiative demonstrates that the tech community in Los Angeles is committed to making impactful and positive change in communities that have been historically shut out of economic opportunities. Our city is brimming with diversity, talent, and energy, and we have the ability and responsibility to connect that talent with opportunities. Our workplace programs will enable young people in this city, especially those that have been underserved, to compete and contribute to this burgeoning economy.”
To ensure that both interns and tech companies have an impactful experience, LA-Tech.org and UNITE-LA have designed a fellowship for the interns to run alongside their internships. This fellowship consists of professional development, network building, and regular check-ins to ensure interns feel confident and capable in their new workspace. To ensure adequate support is given to the interns, the fellowship also provides mentors from various tech companies provided by Hacker Fund.
There are currently over 50 internships pledged by the companies taking part in the initial phase. Among the companies taking interns are Cornerstone OnDemand, Blackline, Valence Enterprises, Comparably, HopSkipDrive, GOAT, Suma Wealth, Mission Cloud, and Fernish.
Co-founder and CEO of HopSkipDrive Joanna McFarland says, "We are thrilled to participate in the South LA Intern Initiative, which is part of LA-Tech.org's 1000 Intern Project. Choosing a career in technology can lead to a lifetime earnings increase of $2 Million. LA-Tech.org is making tech careers accessible and breaking down barriers to create equal opportunity in the tech sector. HopSkipDrive's mission is to create opportunity for all, and this aligns completely."
This program is part of a wider mission by LA-Tech.org to create talent pipelines between disconnected communities and the tech industry. Such efforts ultimately provide economic opportunities to low-income communities and other groups who have been historically disconnected from the tech sector.
About LA-Tech.Org: LA-Tech.org is a nonprofit coalition founded by the Los Angeles area tech community to expand economic opportunity for LA’s underserved communities. Along with our partners, we help support young people on their tech career pathway, from introducing them to tech careers, to exploring them to their first internship and job.
About UNITE-LA: UNITE-LA is a nonprofit organization that leads collaborative education reform efforts, promotes business-education partnerships, expands college access and provides workforce development opportunities for youth in the Los Angeles area to ensure underserved youth have the opportunity to participate in Los Angeles' 21st century economy.
About Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell: Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell represents Los Angeles County’s Second District which includes South Los Angeles along with the cities of Carson, Compton, Culver City, Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lynwood and dozens of unincorporated communities. To learn more visit Mitchell.LACounty.Gov