Excellence in collaboration.
That’s the hallmark of CORE Academy’s fourth cohort of marketing interns – a trio of individuals who learned skills in social media, podcast production and videography this spring.
“This was the strongest cohort we’ve had,” said Jack Rothman, a National CORE digital project manager who served as one of two mentors for the cohort. “They collaborated on every assignment, supported each other throughout the program and delivered the best final presentation we’ve seen.”
The paid marketing internship program began in April 2025 after Hope through Housing received an Opportunity Young Adult Career Pathway Program from the state of California. The grant also helps fund CORE Academy’s free job training programs in property management, property maintenance and hospitality.
Over 10 weeks, interns Seth Andrade, Ariana Baltazar and Dorjea Jarmon developed skills in content creation, production and storytelling before planning, producing and hosting a podcast featuring CORE Academy trainer Angel Rogers.
For Ariana Baltazar, a resident of National CORE’s Vista del Sol community in Montclair, the internship opened the door to a new career.
“I didn’t know about marketing at all prior to this,” Ariana said. “I didn’t know this was an avenue to take to further my career. Now I know I want to work in a marketing department.”
Dorjea first learned about the internship through her father, a maintenance technician at a National CORE apartment community. She said the experience changed the way she views creative work.
“My biggest takeaway would just be teamwork,” Jarmon said. “Everybody has a job and a place here. One person individually can’t create the podcast. It needs everyone to contribute to it.”
For Seth, the internship strengthened both his technical skills and his confidence.
“Before this, I had very surface-level editing skills,” Andrade said. “Since then, I’ve become much faster, learned to expand my creativity and try new things. I’ve grown so much from being here, and I’m beyond grateful for it.”
The internship program runs through April 2027 with a final two cohorts.
Already, three graduates of the marketing program have found jobs – two with the marketing department and one with Hope through Housing.
“Our goal is to create opportunities that help young adults discover their potential,” Hope through Housing Executive Director Alyssa Cotter said. “Technical skills are important, but confidence, mentorship and real-world experience are what prepare them for what’s next.”