Internship Gives MVC Student Professional Experience in Digital Media

Julissa Mota is turning her classroom experience in Applied Digital Media into real-world impact through a hands-on internship with Riverside County. Since beginning the internship in Dec. 2024, Mota has contributed to live design projects, gaining practical exposure to the creative industry.

During her time with the county, Mota has worked on a variety of projects, including social media graphics and marketing materials. The experience has allowed her to apply technical skills from her MVC courses in professional settings, building both her portfolio and her confidence.

“I truly enjoy and look forward to learning and facing new challenges every day. Every project is an opportunity to not only demonstrate my skills but to approach new problems with more experience each time,” Mota said. “The ADM courses at MVC well-prepared me for the expectations I was going to face as a graphic designer since the first day, beginning with ADM-1. There is so much structure to the ADM courses where you learn the industry standard programs and what to expect in the work field, along with growth and discovery of your own personal style.”

Looking ahead, Mota plans to expand her portfolio and create work that highlights her interest in digital illustration. She hopes to work with companies and brands she admires and eventually establish her own independent design studio. “I also hope to run my own freelance business using passion projects, stuff that I love doing,” she said.

Robert Delgadillo, an associate professor of Applied Digital Media, said experiential opportunities such as internships help students refine technical skills and develop professional practices essential to success in the design field. “It is incredibly rewarding to see Julissa thrive as a creative professional, and we are proud of her accomplishments and excited to support her continued success,” Delgadillo said.