California International Trade Center Global Virtual Internship Program

California International Trade Center Global Virtual Internship Program (VIP)

VIP Learning Objectives This internship requires students to apply technical skills they have acquired to analyze consumer trends, evaluate assigned client’s objectives and needs to develop strategic research and ideas for their client. Professional Practice in Global Trade Students conduct research and analysis on consumer trends and behaviors to develop a strategic consumer analysis. Client Relations and Teamwork Students develop interpersonal skills through interaction with the client and their team. Students manage teamwork and create a constructive and professional working relationship to address client’s needs and discuss expectations. Technological and Digital Tradecraft Students strengthen their skill set and gain a better understanding of the role of digital media and marketing for businesses. Students identify best practices in digital marketing, utilize data to create a strategic plan, and establish their personal brand through the process.

Statewide Regions and Statistics • The Global Virtual Internship Program (VIP) has been successfully launched in multiple regions. At present, we have worked with colleges across the state from San Diego to Los Angeles/Long Beach up to Santa Barbara. Several other regions (North and Far North, Central Valley, and Bay Area) are currently deploying VIP. Technical Assistance Hours • Student led project hours on behalf of SMEs • Student Participants • VIP applicants and participants to date • Colleges Served • Providing VIP to colleges across the state 3, 460 40 8

Digital Badges As part of the VIP application process, students earn digital badges in a variety of topics. Students work at their own pace to complete the badges as part of the VIP application. All digital badges include online videos with accompanying quizzes, allowing students to work independently or as part of a classroom assignment. The badges provide industry-recognized knowledge and employable skills attainment. Google: Start Your Resume Google G Suite: Sheets Work and Internship Success A resume is asked for by employers, schools, and other organizations throughout your entire career. In this badge, we will show you how to quickly build a professional resume using Google docs templates. Managing data is critical to the operation of companies in nearly all industries, and spreadsheets are a universally accepted tool to quickly organize data for a variety of uses. We want you to be successful and show your level of excellence and commitment to your future professor, boss, and co-workers. We will review these skills and more. Supply Chain Software Digital Strategy Supply Chain Management Software provides a hub for sourcing products for a number of companies across a variety of industries ranging from hospitality, technology, financial services and many more. Digital Marketing is the primary focus of this internship and this badge will help you gain the necessary framework needed to be successful in our program. Learn about key digital marketing concepts and test your knowledge with questions developed by industry leading experts.

Online Badging Program Digital badges reflect industry needs and align with recognized credentials and certifications. Students earn digital badges that showcase skills attainment in a way that is recognized by employers in California. § Industry-designed content meets employer needs § Recognized credentials increase skills and increase employability § Badge content includes assessments to test knowledge § Badges are downloadable and shareable across platforms to showcase skills 6, 168 Students Onboard 2, 168 H. S. Students across 21 high schools 4, 000 California Community College Students We work with

Case Study: Magnet. PAL meets New Zealand Interns Help Magnet. PAL Gets More Visibility “ My efforts at online marketing were ad hoc at best. Where we focus our attention is with our retail partners and in-store sales. I know I should be doing more online, but like a lot of small and medium-sized businesses, time and money are challenges. ” — Craig Mc. Manis, CEO, Magnet. PAL THE PROCESS A group of students from Long Beach City College assisted Magnet. PAL, a local business, with increasing their brand awareness and online visibility using social media. Students met with Mc. Manis several times throughout the process. He provided high-level guidance on the product’s uses and allowed them to have the autonomy that’s essential for innovation and creativity to thrive. Students created social media content demonstrating how Magnet. PAL could be used in dorm rooms, RVs, and other places. They also created a Google ad campaign that Mc. Manis can implement to help his online sales. THE RESULT Mc. Manis was pleased with the content the students created and the increased attention Magnet. PAL received online — thanks to the organic social media content and the Google ad campaign. In addition, this project enhanced Magnet. PAL’s overseas presence. A new distributor relationship in New Zealand resulted based on Search Engine Optimization recommendations made by the interns. To learn more about the Global Virtual Internship Program, please visit www. CAinternationaltrade. org/vip-application

Case Study: Limoneira Competitive Analysis Interns Help Limoneira Gain New Customers “The [Virtual Internship Program at Limoneira] really prepared me for what to expect in the business world and it gave me an opportunity for self-realization; I was able to identify ways in which I could improve. “ - Todd, International Business Student at Moorpark College THE PROCESS A group of students from Moor Park City College assisted Limoneira, A California business, with increasing their brand awareness and online visibility using social media. Limoneira is a California based produce company with global sales. During the current Covid 19 crisis, the VIP helped this locally based business to innovate on their Fresh. Focus home and office online citrus delivery program. Though Limoneira understood e. Commerce as a vital part of their business strategy, they needed assistance to increase brand-share by using consumer-facing social platforms. THE RESULT Students worked on this adaptable online selling space in real time during the pandemic shutdown, assisting Limoneira in gaining an increased digital footprint, even and especially during the quarantine shut down. To learn more about the Global Virtual Internship Program, please visit www. CAinternationaltrade. org/vip-application

Limoniera – Student Presentation

Positive Outcomes The work of VIP interns has generated positive and measurable outcomes for businesses. Wellness. Pro reached nearly 13, 000 new consumers in Canada through a social media campaign launched and managed by VIP interns. Mega. Fit Nutrition obtained 21 new recurring customers via social media advertising. Marvesol Magnet. PAL found a new distributor in New Zeland through its participation in the Virtual Internship Program. Buiced reached 9, 888 new potential customers leading to several new orders in Australia via social media. Marvesol reached 27, 038 new potential customers in the United Kingdom via social media.

Student Testimonials Connecting Community College Students to the Global Workforce “ The Virtual Internship Program at Limoneira really prepared me for what to expect in the business world and it gave me an opportunity for self-realization; “ I would highly recommend the VIP program not only I was able to identify ways in which I could improve. because having an internship is a great way to explore a field of work but also because it has been a wonderful opportunity to learn more about global trade. – Haitrieu Tod Ta, Moorpark College – Danielle Jackson, Santa Barbara City College

Lessons Learned – Key Take-Aways As with any new program, it takes time to create understanding and gain adoption. The Global Virtual Internship Program began prior to the pandemic, creating a new way to add value to work-based learning through the advancement of future ready skills including remote team work in digital technologies. • Funding: In order to beta-test this program funding was braided from ISPICS, SWF, CITC and SD funding in the collective effort to support business growth, provide meaningful internships, evidence skills acquisition and meet employment demands. • Marketing & Outreach: The VIP internship required a marketing message that could convey the unique attributes of the program to the intended audience including businesses, students, faculty and career centers. Not all intended audiences understood the same message and marketing had to be adjusted accordingly. • Student Compensation: The issue of funding approved for student compensation is the greatest challenge, particularly as the business community have been hampered by the pandemic and many are unable to pay for internships during the recovery process. In some instances, students accepted course credit or one-time scholarships (stipends) provided by private sector partners. • Business Recovery: Many businesses are in great need as they pivot from brick-and-mortar to ecommerce as part of economic recovery. There is a great interest and motivation for business to grow cross-border ecommerce solutions alongside the complicated digital media and marketing necessary for success, making VIP one of the most popular offerings of CITC. • e. Commerce Mentors: Unlike a traditional internship where a business is responsible for the intern duties, the VIP projects determine the direction. Because many businesses are under-funded and/or in need of ecommerce guidance, the VIP program requires an ecommerce mentor to both ascertain company need and guide student projects on behalf of the company. The inclusion of guided expertise has created greater benefit for both student and business but at additional costs for retention of program experts.

LEAH GOOLD-HAWS State-Wide Director lgoold-haws@lbcc. edu | 213. 393. 3704 Thank you