By year-end 2025, the EconAlliance Internship Program will have placed 90 young workers and students into meaningful industry and community internships free to their employers, thanks to County Workforce Development Board programs. Twelve students were participants in STEM fellowships provided by UCSB California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI).

Along the way, according to Workforce Director Alejandra Mahoney (pictured), “EconAlliance supported worksite recruitment, customized placement matching, mentoring, and follow-up.”

The Program’s success has led the Santa Barbara Foundation to provide another year of funding support, enabling EconAlliance to continue worksite development and intern recruitment, intern/industry matching and mentoring, and industry tours for Allan Hancock College and Workforce Development Board staff.

UCSB CNSI STEM Ag Business student Abbygail Velasquez interned with Harvestly, an ag service organization providing delivery for over 100 family farms and kitchens. Her thank- you letter cited benefits of her hands-on internship experience that included data collecting skill-building, growing in efficiency and the ability to make long-lasting connections in a short time.

Abbygail Velasquez pictured, left.

After acknowledging her supervisor Taryn Mohler, Velasquez stated, “My experience working with Harvestly has been nothing but constant growth, support, opportunity, and learning new skills.” It solidified, she says, her choice to pursue a business career.

If you have an internship opportunity that aligns with our program’s goals, we encourage you to reach out to Alejandra Mahoney at alejandra [at] econalliance.org or by phone at 805-878-1456. Your involvement can make a significant difference in the lives of these students.