Hi everyone!

We hope you enjoyed last month’s Industry Spotlight featuring LA-Tech, BMW Designworks, and SMC IxD students. This month we learn about Ivan Salazar and his role at LA-Tech. ✨

Inside LA-Tech’s Mission to Support Early-Career Talent

To learn more about LA-Tech’s mission and its impact on early-career talent, After Hours spoke with Ivan Salazar, Senior Manager of Innovation at LA-Tech. Ivan oversees the organization’s internship program, admissions, communications, and events, helping designers gain real-world experience and take the next step in their professional journeys.

Q: First, can you tell us what is LA-Tech and its mission?

Ivan: I’m really excited to share and advocate for LA-Tech’s mission and vision. A few years ago, tech founders in the community wanted to create an organization that could highlight and support emerging talent in LA. They noticed there was a gap in opportunities for untapped talent, and that’s exactly what LA-Tech aims to address. The organization focuses on four key pathways: business, technical, creative design, and marketing. Each of these areas is essential to LA-Tech’s mission of showcasing emerging talent and bringing economic opportunities to the LA community. There’s so much more to it, but at its core, LA-Tech is about connecting individuals in their early careers with the resources and networks they need to thrive.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your role at LA-Tech, and how you first got started in this field?

Ivan: I stepped into my role in January 2024, and in the spring of this year, I was promoted to Senior Manager in Innovation. A big part of that growth came from taking a more collaborative approach. In my role, I oversee the Rising Internship Program, admissions, communications, and in-person events. My goal is to support talent and help them take the next step in their careers. I feel really blessed to have an amazing team, and we always support one another.

Q: Are there common challenges you see young professionals face, and how can they overcome them?

Ivan: A lot of the time, talented individuals in the LA community lack access to industry professionals, mentors, and networking opportunities. I’ve experienced that myself. It’s rare to get a recruiter to look at your resume or to connect with people who can guide you. LA-Tech recognized this gap and created opportunities to connect emerging talent with industry professionals through internships, mentorships, and networking events. We’ve worked with people from organizations like BET, Google, and Waymo, as well as companies in other industries, like healthcare. For example, we recently had someone from Modern Health share their day-to-day work as an engineer, which helps inspire and guide our participants.

We also focus on equipping our talent with the skills they need to succeed, both hard skills and soft skills. Activities like mock interviews are especially valuable, since interviewing is a skill in itself. Developing these abilities is a crucial stepping stone for breaking into the tech industry or any tech-adjacent field.

Q: What skills or qualities do you think students should focus on to stand out when applying for these opportunities?

Ivan: One of the key skills I focus on is communication. Even as an introvert, I’ve learned the importance of finding ways to engage and talk with people. This skill really comes into play during interviews, where building a connection and making the other person feel comfortable makes a big difference. Students need to make sure they can clearly articulate their thoughts and tell their story. For example, when I’m asked to walk through the biggest challenge I’ve faced on a project, I focus on having a natural conversation and explaining my process clearly. Being able to do that well really sets you apart.

On the technical side, students should stay aware of emerging trends and new opportunities in the field. Pay attention to what’s coming next, including new tools, technologies, and certifications. Certifications vary depending on the area: HubSpot has some for marketing, CompTIA offers ones for AI, and OpenAI Academy is a great resource. Try to leverage these resources, many of which are free, to keep learning and stay ahead.

Q: What advice would you give to students or recent graduates who want to start their career in design, tech, or creative industries?

Ivan: The biggest piece of advice I give is not to let rejection define your skill set. I oversee admissions for the Rising Internship, and we receive so many amazing applications. There have been times when we weren’t able to extend an offer to someone, but that doesn’t mean the applicant wasn’t qualified. It’s just the nature of admissions. Rejection doesn’t define who you are or what you’re capable of. My advice is to keep submitting applications and not get discouraged, even though the process can sometimes feel negative.

Q: How do you see LA Tech’s role in shaping the future of LA’s creative economy?

Ivan: ​​The way I see it, it’s all about providing more programs like the Rising Internship and seizing new opportunities, and giving 110% to make them happen. For example, the BMW Designworks partnership started as a conversation, and we brought it to life. I focus on giving people in-person opportunities and gathering feedback, which helps shape and motivate the team to keep pushing forward. My goal is always to help participants take the next step in their careers.

I envision creating even more programs, whether expanding short-term opportunities or finding creative ways to offer new experiences. I also want to establish more apprenticeships in the future and serve as a voice for the tech community, connecting talent with industry opportunities.

Q: How can students or aspiring participants learn more about LA-Tech?

Ivan: The main channels we’ve explored, and found most effective, are LinkedIn and our website. LinkedIn has been a go-to platform for us. We use it to promote opportunities on a nearly daily basis, highlighting programs and showing that our team comes directly from the industry. It’s a great way to engage our audience and keep them updated.

On our LA-Tech.org website, we have a dedicated section for emerging talent, which is where people can learn more about programs like our Rising Internship. For example, we wrapped up a summer program with BMW Designworks and are collaborating with Waymo in the fall. We have another program coming up in the spring. The best way for applicants to get involved is to sign up through the General Application, which gives access to partners and opportunities.

Overall, our focus is on creating meaningful economic opportunities and connecting talent with impactful experiences in the industry.

Q: How can someone support LA-Tech?

Ivan: I’d say one of the biggest ways is through volunteering. We really value professionals from the industry who can bring their expertise and knowledge to our programs. Mentorship is a huge part of that, whether one-on-one or group mentorship. We’re also always looking to partner with companies of all sizes: large, small, or mid-sized. Partnerships might include offering internships or other opportunities for our talent. These are the main ways folks can get involved and support LA-Tech.

Q: Is there anything else we should know about LA-Tech?

Ivan: Always keep an eye out for any opportunities that come up. LinkedIn is a great place to stay updated. LA-Tech also hosts monthly workshops and is collaborating with an AI platform to help people discover opportunities. Some workshops are open to everyone, while others are more exclusive to current Rising Internship participants. 

Our very special thanks to Ivan Salazar for taking the time to answer our questions. Stay tuned for our next Industry Spotlight!

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