From Intern to Career Advisor: Workforce Development in Southern Los Angeles

October 15, 2024

By: Maya C. James

Estephanie (Stephanie) Solano sees herself as a vessel for change.

A recent graduate of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), Solano currently works as a career advisor at Goodwill in southern Los Angeles, where she helps connect community members with job opportunities and resources.

Her pathway to her current role emerged not only from her desire to counsel vulnerable populations, but from a paid internship through an NTIA-funded workforce development program.

NTIA awarded CSUDH $5.3 million from the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program to improve access to high-speed Internet service, devices, digital literacy training, and paid workforce development training. Part of this grant funded the Workforce Integrated Network (WIN) program, which Solano participated in during her third and final year of college.

"I applied right away," Solano said after learning about the program from a professor. "Being a single mom and a student made it hard for me to participate in other programs and clubs on campus, so I knew I needed some sort of work experience and school participation."

After successfully applying for the program, Solano worked as a teaching assistant for a Goodwill digital literacy skills course in Long Beach, CA. Between teaching someone how to use a mouse for the first time, to helping locals learn how to use Microsoft Office products, Solano says her work opened her eyes to the variety of people who were interested in upskilling.

"A lot of the students come from different backgrounds, including homelessness, and justice-impacted individuals in Long Beach," Solano said, "And they're constantly trying to get back on their feet."

She was able to apply her sociology training from the classroom to the workplace immediately (Solano received a B.A. in Sociology in 2023).

"My sociology training provided me with a deeper understanding of social dynamics," Solano said. "It helped me recognize the diverse backgrounds and challenges individuals face, allowing me to communicate more effectively and empathize with the community we served."

Dr. Krystal Rawls, Director of the WIN program, explained how NTIA investments have benefited students across campus. "When we empower our students to address societal challenges, we create opportunities for them to thrive. We have to invest in hope and NTIA did that."

During her time in the WIN program, Solano eventually moved to Goodwill's Career Center, where she helped gather information about local community resources for the digital skills program. She said that the program opened career opportunities by providing entry-level work experiences and instilling confidence in her skillsets.

Why does "InternetforAll" matter to you?

"...programs like this ensure a smooth transition from classroom learning to field work by ultimately completing the program and entering the workforce. That's what matters. We get our students to the workforce." -- Estephanie Solano, 32, Anaheim, CA