Tech Career Incubator: Tuition-Free Training, Mentorship & Job-Readiness for BIPOC Creatives in Design & Tech at BRIDGEGOOD’s Human-Centered Studio in Oakland

Tech Career Incubator at BRIDGEGOOD
Location: BRIDGEGOOD Design Studio, Jack London Square, Oakland, CA
Length: 2-month intensive, every Friday
Cost to Students: Always $0 — 100% tuition-free

At BRIDGEGOOD, we believe in the power of human connection. In an age of automation and artificial intelligence, people-centered design and mentorship are more critical than ever.

The Tech Career Incubator is a transformational workforce readiness program that connects student Creatives—mostly first-generation college students, women of color, and underrepresented job seekers—with real-world experiences, mentorship, and direct pathways into design and tech careers. Building on the foundation of our UX Design Apprenticeship, the Incubator is a vital next step on the journey to economic empowerment.

Program Structure

Over the course of eight weeks, participants engage in high-impact, hands-on sessions focused on:

Resume and LinkedIn profile development, tailored for tech hiring managers

Professional portfolio reviews with industry experts from companies such as Adobe, Meta, Salesforce, and Google

Interview preparation and job-readiness coaching

Mentorship matchmaking and career navigation support

Real-world workshops on salary negotiation, personal branding, and workplace culture

This is not just a skills program — it's a launchpad. Students leave with confidence, clarity, and real connections to the industry.

Why This Matters

Despite being located just miles from Silicon Valley, talented young creatives in Oakland often lack access to the same resources and networks as their peers in more affluent communities. BRIDGEGOOD was built to close that opportunity gap.

Since 2009, BRIDGEGOOD has launched over 900 design careers, facilitated 4,200+ hours of training, and served 1,300 students annually — 95 percent BIPOC, 80 percent women of color. Our physical design studio is a safe, inclusive, and innovative space where community is not an afterthought — it is the foundation.

A Human-Centered Approach to AI

We train students to engage with AI tools responsibly and creatively, ensuring they understand not just how to use the technology, but how to design ethically with it. From Adobe Express and Figma AI to portfolio-ready design thinking, students graduate with the technical confidence and critical thinking needed to thrive in a world shaped by artificial intelligence.

Our philosophy is simple: AI can help you build a portfolio. Only you can tell your story. We teach both.

How You Can Help

Whether you're an individual, tech worker, or company looking to give back, there are clear ways to get involved and make immediate impact:

1. Donate

Support tuition-free access for students. Your contribution goes toward:

Meals and transportation

Technology access (laptops, internet, design software)

Stipends for student participants

Workshop materials and supplies

Honorariums for guest instructors and mentors

Every dollar helps make equitable access possible.

2. Volunteer

We invite professionals to participate in:

Portfolio reviews

Guest speaking

Interview coaching

Design critiques

Mentorship or office hours

Your experience can change the trajectory of a student's career.

3. Partner with Us

We seek mission-aligned companies to:

Sponsor a student cohort

Host site visits or tech treks

Provide paid internships or entry-level roles

Co-design sessions with your in-house experts

Join us for a day of service at our Oakland studio

Let’s create inclusive talent pipelines together.

4. Spread the Word

Visit bridgegood.org

Follow @BRIDGEGOOD on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and X

Share our mission using the hashtag #DesignForSocialGood

More Than a Program — It's a Movement

The BRIDGEGOOD Tech Career Incubator is a bold commitment to education, equity, and community. Every student that walks through our studio doors is met with respect, support, and the tools to thrive in tech — not just as employees, but as innovators.

We don’t charge students. We rely on people like you to help keep it that way.

Our Impact, At a Glance

1,300 students served annually

900 graduates launched into design and tech careers

4,200+ hours of career training delivered

56 educators and coaches engaged

35 companies involved in programming

$0 cost to students, always

Join Us

We envision a world where creativity is nurtured, technology is inclusive, and career opportunities are equitable — regardless of zip code or background. With your help, we are designing that future today.

Donate through Benevity
Visit: bridgegood.org/donate

Volunteer: bridgegood.org/volunteer

Connect: shaun@bridgegood.org | elisa@bridgegood.org

The future of work is human. Let’s build it together.