Companies test your coding knowledge and problem solving skills by making you solve coding challenges in front of them, typically on a whiteboard, as part of the interview process. It can be an intimidating experience, especially if you haven’t done it before. Get some training and practice with us so that you can nail your next interview!

If you liked giving back to the NEST for the first Impactathon then you will like the community Impactathon. We will partner with an organization in Watsonville, Salinas or Santa Cruz to help them on a project by using technology purposefully. This Impactathon is an opportunity to add value to an already valuable organization, network with community members, and learn other tech skills over a weekend.

Additional Information:

The community partner and date is to be determined. The Community Impactathon will be at the end of April. All members at any skill level are welcomed. The only prerequisite is motivation, passion, and commitment to using technology to support your community. 

Would you like to join the "Welcoming Committee" of the Digital NEST? Help manage the space through internal recruitment for workshops, field trips and activities. We organize bonding activities for all. Greet our new members throught orientations and tours. Create the community you'd like to see in the space with us!

Do you want to be able to solve any problem you come across? Learn how to use a framework and intentional process to be able to design solutions for everyday problems like constantly forgetting things you have to do or constantly getting late to school. We will also use it to explore solving a complex problem in our Watsonville community. Companies like IDEO use it to solve problems like designing a future where food is never wasted!

Ever wonder how to create something that is truly impactful? Everyone is a creator, whether you like to make memes or food, design websites or games, coordinate events or meetings, create videos or photos... you name it! Go from being a creator to a designer by using a framework and intentional process meant to take your creations to the next level!

Additional Information: 

No experience necessary

Be part of a team that designs, plans and manages events here at the NEST. Learn how to think critically and manage a project from beginning to end alongside a supportive team. Past events coordinated by this team include holiday parties, game days, fashion shows, and movie screenings. What will your next event be? It's up to you! 

Once an e-uniter, always and e-uniter! If you've been in E-unit and you want to be part of putting on the biggest event the NEST puts on every year and/or you have previous event coordination experience, sign up now! You will be called in for a brief interview before you can start planning NESTflight with us. NESTflight is a conference that brings over 40 local and Silicon Valley companies that are looking for young, diverse to fill their open positions. Over 150 youth attended last year and we hope to see more this year.

Additional Information:

This is an advanced level of the CMG. We will be preparing for NESTflight. Only people who have been in E-unit or who have experience putting on events should sign up.

There's a lot of people out there telling you how to be successful. Sometimes, things go in one ear and out the other, or it's a case of "easier said than done". We try to make things as accessible as possible and build systems with you that will make taking the advice you learn easier to do in your professional and personal life. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is one of those books people always reference. Let's learn it together and see what all the hype it about.

Additional Information:

This is for advanced members nominated by CFA leads.

Join us for a day of exploring what it’s like to work at a large company like Plantronics, a mid-size company like Looker and a startup like Inboard! Seeing a variety of companies can help you determine what kind of environment you would like to work in and they are all located in Santa Cruz County. You don’t have to be  a “techie” to work at a tech company and you can meet people from a variety of backgrounds that took many different paths to get to where they are now!

Additional Information:

• Specific companies may change. Contributing members and members who take workshops get priority. Space is limited! Transportation from the NEST to our destinations and lunch is provided for free.