Call for Applications: Humanities EXCEL Fellowship with Skills of Life Cafe–Business Development and Communications Intern 2025-2026
We encourage work-study and non-work-study students to apply. This internship is only open to undergraduate students with a declared or proposed Humanities major or minor and requires work authorization.
Application Deadline: May 11, 2025
The Humanities Experiential Career Exploration and Learning (EXCEL) Program connects undergraduate Humanities majors and minors with community partners for paid internships. Fellows gain valuable professional experience while exploring potential career paths.
Internship Details
Partner Organization: Skills of Life Cafe – Learn more on their website.
Location: Hybrid – with in-person meetings held at the SOL Cafe concession trailer near Simpkins Swim Center (979 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062)
- UCSC Humanities funds a ZipCar account so students can book vehicles to travel to work or required events in Santa Cruz County if needed.
Duration: Academic Year 2025–26 (September 2025–June 2026)
Hours: 16 hours/week
Pay: $20/hour
Mentorship: Regular check-ins and support from SOL Founder and Occupational Therapist Molly Turner. Molly will delegate tasks and review your work, provide coaching, and help you understand what working in this field is like. You will meet to check in virtually or in person at least once per week.
What You’ll Do – Business Development and Communications Intern
Santa Cruz-based nonprofit Skills of Life (SOL) Cafe is a curriculum-guided internship program that equips neurodiverse teens and young adults with the skills needed for competitive employment and independence. Through job training focused on workforce fundamentals, self-empowerment, and goal-setting, SOL Cafe fosters self-confidence and inclusion, preparing interns to thrive in general workforce settings. Their vision is to integrate neurodiverse individuals into society as independent, contributing community members by providing meaningful employment and purposeful living opportunities.
Check out this piece from Lookout Santa Cruz: Skills of Life Café empowers young people with special needs who 'fall between the cracks' with job training, personal skills
Business Development & Outreach (25%)
- With support, you will identify and reach out to potential businesses, effectively pitching the company’s mission, services, and goals to prospective partners and initiating conversations that could lead to business collaborations. This will involve cold emailing, calling, and networking at industry events or through digital platforms.
Educational Content Creation & Presentation (25%)
- You will develop and deliver presentations and educational materials highlighting the nonprofit’s mission, values, and goals. These materials will showcase the benefits of collaboration, emphasizing community engagement and diversity.
- Responsibilities may include one-on-one or small-group training sessions to demonstrate how the nonprofit addresses business challenges and enhances competitiveness.
- You’ll practice communicating complex ideas clearly and engagingly to business professionals.
Market Research & Analysis (25%)
- To enhance the effectiveness of pitches and educational sessions, you will conduct market research to understand the pain points and needs of the target businesses.
- This research will help tailor the messaging and solutions offered, ensuring they are relevant and valuable to each business audience.
Ongoing communication and collaboration with the nonprofit you are representing (25%)
- Consistent check-in and approvals for the use of material with the nonprofit Executive Director are required.
Humanities EXCEL Programming (5%): Attend two cohort meetings each quarter when possible and participate in asynchronous Canvas experiential learning reflection.
Eligibility & Qualifications
- You must be a declared or proposed major or minor in a Humanities Division department and have good academic standing. If proposed, declare by June.
- Eligible majors: Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism, Classical Studies, Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, Feminist Studies, History, Jewish Studies, Language Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Philosophy, Spanish Studies
- Eligible minors: Black Studies, Classical Studies, East Asian Studies, History of Consciousness, History, Italian Studies, Jewish Studies, Language Studies, Linguistics, Literature, Middle Eastern and North African Studies, Philosophy, Spanish Studies
- You have work authorization (required)
- You can work independently and collaboratively (required)
- You are highly organized and bring that approach to your work
- You have proven experience with problem-solving
- You are confident and self-directed when it comes to your work
- You’re motivated and compassionate
- You’re interested in understanding or already know how to support those with intellectual disabilities.
- You understand the value of inclusion and diversity and are intentional about living those values.
What You’ll Learn
You’ll learn how to integrate the values of equity and inclusion in communications, including organizational materials and presentations. You’ll also learn about nonprofit business structure and operations by attending board of director meetings and understanding the different roles. You’ll have ample opportunities to hone your persuasive public speaking skills and engage in advocacy work.
How To Apply
- Updated resume
- 1-page cover letter addressing:
- Why you’re interested in this role and Skills of Life Cafe (explore their website!)
- How your background and skills apply
- What you hope to gain from the experience
- Address your letter to Molly Turner
Review these resume and cover letter resources to ensure you are a strong candidate! For application help, see Humanities Career Engagement.
Questions? Email Kylie Rachwalski at hum-experiential-learning@ucsc.edu
The Mellon Foundation, The Helen and Will Webster Foundation, The Humanities Institute, the UCSC Humanities Division, and private donors generously support the Humanities EXCEL Program.
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement:
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
