Community, Confidence, and Career Purpose: Cataleen Flores’s Internship with Mission Edge

Mission Edge is a nonprofit that believes business can be a powerful tool for social change. Through its Impact Lab, the organization works to equip underserved small business owners across San Diego with the skills, confidence, and financial tools to grow their ventures and uplift their communities. Ana Dominguez, a USD alum with a Master of Arts in Social Innovation (MASI), leads this effort—bridging finance, community engagement, and cross-sector collaboration to expand opportunity in a city she’s proud to serve.

This semester, Cataleen Flores, a third-year Business Administration major and Sociology minor at the University of San Diego, joined the Mission Edge team as part of the Social Innovation Internship program. With deep roots in her family’s business and a lifelong commitment to social justice, Cataleen brought her unique background and inclusive leadership style to the organization—supporting outreach, recruitment, and resource development for local entrepreneurs.

This is the kind of partnership we had in mind when we designed the Social Innovation Internship: connecting purpose-driven students with mission-aligned organizations that are shaping the future of inclusive entrepreneurship in our region. Led by the Center for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Career Development Center—and supported by Conscious Capitalism San Diego and a generous grant from the Prebys Foundation—this program prepares students to build careers at the intersection of values, strategy, and systems change.

Motivation & Mission

Cataleen, what inspired you to apply for the Social Innovation Internship, and how does it support your aspirations?
When I first learned about this program, I knew I had to apply. I’ve always been drawn to careers that carry deeper purpose and meaning. At USD, I’ve discovered entire fields and industries that reflect that desire, and this internship felt like the perfect opportunity to explore them further. I’m passionate about DEIB work, but it’s not always easy to find professional opportunities that align with those values. Mission Edge stood out immediately—their dedication to supporting minority entrepreneurs resonated deeply. Growing up in a family-owned business, I saw how entrepreneurship transformed my family’s future. Being part of a program that empowers others in similar ways is my way of giving back.

Ana, why did Mission Edge join the Social Innovation Internship, and how does it fit your mission?
We were eager to host a Social Innovation Intern because the program aligns perfectly with our mission to drive social impact in the small business and nonprofit sectors. It gives us the opportunity to invest in the next generation of changemakers while benefiting from their fresh thinking, energy, and ideas. We believe that mutual learning is essential—and this partnership helps us grow while offering students like Cataleen meaningful experience in real-world social innovation.

Inside the Internship

Cataleen, what did a typical week at Mission Edge look like, and what were your responsibilities?
I usually worked three days virtually and went into the office on Thursdays for our team lunch and meetings. My main projects included recruiting low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs for the Impact Lab, managing our social media strategy, and building out a resource directory in both English and Spanish for program alumni. I engaged with clients, scheduled outreach on social media, created marketing content, and shared updates with leadership in our weekly meetings. It was a mix of independent work and collaborative strategy—and it helped me grow in so many ways.

Ana, how has Cataleen contributed to Mission Edge’s outreach and recruitment work?
Cataleen made a tremendous contribution to our outreach efforts. Her proactive approach helped us engage new potential participants by clearly communicating the program’s benefits and guiding them through the application process. She also helped create and distribute promotional content, grew our social media reach, and identified key networks to better reach underserved communities. Her energy and dedication have been a major asset to our work.

Cataleen, what did you learn about the challenges and opportunities facing small business owners, especially those from underrepresented communities?
Working with local businesses across industries showed me how much common ground there is in their challenges—especially around capital access. Many entrepreneurs have incredible ideas but limited financial knowledge or resources, which can lead to personal debt. Still, they’re deeply driven. They see a need in their communities and work to fill it, often with limited support. That emotional investment gives them an edge: their products and services are tailored, authentic, and rooted in care. And today’s conscious consumers are seeking out businesses like theirs, which makes this a powerful moment for growth—if we continue to invest in them.

Ana, what role do young professionals play in strengthening nonprofit and entrepreneurial ecosystems?
They play a vital role. Young professionals bring innovation, curiosity, and a fluency in digital tools that help organizations adapt to shifting realities. They help nonprofits and startups reach new audiences, leverage data, and modernize communications. They also bring energy and passion for social impact that amplifies the work we do. We see them not just as contributors—but as future leaders. It’s our responsibility to provide them with the mentorship and space to grow into that role.

Challenges, Growth & Insight

Cataleen, what was your biggest challenge, and how did you navigate it?
The biggest challenge also became my greatest area of growth. I was used to structured roles where supervisors gave me exact task lists. At Mission Edge, I was trusted with broader projects that required me to take initiative. It was up to me to decide how and when things would get done. I stayed organized, set goals for each project, and communicated regularly with Ana to make sure my time was aligned with the team’s priorities. I learned how to work independently, how to think strategically, and how to present my work clearly—skills I’ll carry with me far beyond this internship.

Ana, what surprised you most about working with Cataleen?
Her professionalism and commitment were evident from the start. Cataleen is deeply aligned with our mission, and her passion for supporting entrepreneurs is clear in everything she does. She’s been a pleasure to work with and consistently delivers high-quality work. She’s the kind of person who leaves a lasting impression—and impact.

Looking Ahead

Cataleen, how has this experience shaped your perspective on future career paths?
It changed everything. Before this internship, I didn’t fully understand the depth of the nonprofit sector or see it as a long-term career path. But working with Mission Edge showed me that purpose and sustainability can absolutely go hand in hand. I now know I want to build a career that centers care, equity, and joy—where I can uplift my community and be proud of the work I do every day. This experience helped me see that not only is that possible—it’s powerful.

Ana, how do partnerships like this help build a stronger talent pipeline for social impact work?
They’re essential. By partnering with USD, we get to work with students who are not only academically prepared, but also mission-driven. These internships help students explore their interests in real time while building professional skills that are critical to the nonprofit and small business sectors. The result is a stronger, more diverse, and more capable pipeline of future leaders—and that benefits all of us.

Cataleen, what advice would you give to future Social Innovation interns hoping to make a difference?
Stay curious and open-minded. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and think creatively. These sectors need bold ideas and passionate people. I love the quote, “Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation.” If you can use your skills to create a positive impact, you’ll find a career full of purpose. Stay focused on the mission, challenge the status quo, and trust that you can make a difference.

Insert photo of Cataleen Flores at Mission Edge here
Caption: “Cataleen Flores, USD intern at Mission Edge”

Looking Forward

At the University of San Diego, we believe that preparing students for meaningful careers means exposing them to the real work of building equity and inclusion in our communities. Mission Edge is doing exactly that—offering support, structure, and opportunity to San Diego’s small business owners, many of whom are shaping the economic future of this region in powerful and personal ways.

Cataleen’s work this semester showed us what’s possible when students are invited into that process—not just to observe, but to contribute. From leading outreach efforts to developing bilingual resources to strengthening the company’s digital presence, she helped extend the reach and impact of Mission Edge’s work. And along the way, she discovered what many students in this program do: that purposeful work isn’t something you wait to do “after college”—it’s something you can start now.

Written by Andrew Biros, EdD

Senior Director, Center for Social Innovation
Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost
University of San Diego

Acknowledgments

This article is part of the University of San Diego’s Social Innovation Internship, a campus-wide, interdisciplinary program led by the Center for Social Innovation and the Career Development Center. The program is organized in partnership with Conscious Capitalism San Diego and generously supported through a grant from the Prebys Foundation.