A Reflection on My Internship at Downtown Stockton Alliance

Posted on June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 by Intern DSA

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by Rose Son

In the blink of an eye, it feels as if winter skipped over spring and jumped straight into summer. My last week as a digital media intern at Downtown Stockton Alliance has finally come, and I reflect on the experience I’ve had over the first half of 2026. Coming into the internship one-year post-graduation was a unique experience where I was happily greeted with the empowerment and inspiration from my peers to learn something new every day. From my first day in the Belding Building to my last day, I acquired so much knowledge and experience I didn’t know I could gain.

As a digital media intern, I focused on continuing and improving DSA’s external communications. I managed different portions of our website, such as weekly event spotlights, monthly blogs, and business directories. Those responsibilities pushed my creativity and helped me rediscover my love for writing. I did backend research and interviews to ensure that the information featuring businesses and organizations was accurate and resonated with owners’ visions. Being able to translate the shared conversations I had with community members into the blogs I wrote always filled me with joy as I pressed “publish,” allowing the world to see what Stockton has to offer.

Along with the DSA website, I had the greatest opportunity to tackle social media management and content creation. During the five months I’ve been interning, I was able to produce over 100 videos and still posts for all five of our social media channels. I became well versed in software and platforms like SKED Social, Premiere Pro, and Word Press – continuing campaigns like Intern Adventures, Property Mondays, and so much more. I also helped launch our very own Tik Tok page, reaching over 1,000 organic followers in under 3 months. Recording videos has been a hobby of mine since adolescence, so being able to bring that into the work I do makes my time at DSA so much more exciting and memorable.

Aside from the hard skills I picked up, DSA introduced me to a new side of Stockton I’ve never seen. Despite being raised in this city, Downtown Stockton was a foreign place to me. It always served as a passing landmark when heading south on the Interstate 5 Highway, but now I see downtown for what it truly is – a home and a community of passionate families, business owners, and organizers looking to build and expand the city. I had the wonderful opportunity of conducting in-person outreach, meeting community members, and bringing foot traffic downtown. From every wave of hello and every conversation exchanged, I learned that the love and compassion people have for Stockton is much more than the reputation and judgements people are so quick to label the city with.

Invent maintenance hole cover by Molly Toberer.

As I close out my internship at DSA, I’ll be walking away with not only hands-on experience in the marketing industry, but also a newfound appreciation for Stockton. My internship has taught me a lot about myself and the potential I have for accomplishing the things I put my mind to. My time here has helped guide my career aspirations and build within me the confidence to tackle anything I come across in the future.

The DSA wishes Rose all the best on her next adventure. She has been a wonderful help to our organization over the last 6 months. Thanks for everything, Rose! Cheers and hope to see you again!

You can see some of Rose’s Intern Adventures on the DSA Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, and Youtube pages!

If you are interested in an internship with the DSA, contact [email protected].

My Internship With The Downtown Stockton Alliance

Posted on August 27, 2024August 28, 2024 by Intern DSA

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By Zachary Hulsey

Downtown Stockton is a unique component of Stockton, California, and San Joaquin County. Everything, from its large, beautiful, historic buildings to its amazing, small, and unique businesses – such as Cast Iron Trading Co. and Cooper’s Coffee Co. – contributes to a vibrant downtown business district.

Within the boundaries of Downtown Stockton, there’s a 501(c)(6) nonprofit called the Downtown Stockton Alliance (DSA). The DSA has various departments working to keep downtown safe, thriving, and better, every day; they offer support to downtown businesses and property owners to maximize their profits. For example, they partially reimburse broken business window repair costs and have community ambassadors who patrol downtown Stockton, keeping it safe. Don’t forget about the maintenance team! The DSA maintenance team patrols Downtown Stockton, picking up trash and other objects that detract from its beautiful scenery. With them in place, Downtown Stockton is cleaner and more appealing to visitors and residents.

By working together, we can create a better, more beautiful, and thriving Downtown Stockton for everyone, and that’s why I was excited to join the Downtown Stockton Alliance as an intern throughout the 2024 summer. During my internship, I had the opportunity to write multiple blogs about local events, history, and more – including this one! I wrote about events at the Fox Theater, Independence Day, and the National Night Out 2024 event here in downtown. Additionally, I wrote a submission to Visit California regarding one of Stockton’s best restaurants, Cast Iron Trading Co. I also contacted property owners to inform them about the recertification process for the Downtown Stockton Alliance in the coming years. I got to go out into the streets of downtown to research and update the directory for several large office buildings. Doing so, I was able to discover Cooper’s Coffee (great coffee), just as I checked the directory for the California Building. I also have a great memory of tabling as a vendor for the DSA at the Mexican Heritage Center’s Christmas in July event.

I’ve always had a great love and admiration for Downtown Stockton, and I strongly believe that when any city’s downtown is doing well, the rest of the city will experience prosperity as a result—the domino effect. Like any other downtown, we have our issues, but the more important part is how we are building that bridge to solve our issues – and the DSA works as much as they can to provide downtown Stockton with the support it needs. Repairing and maintaining the reputation of any downtown isn’t easy, but with the “Talk to Downtown” podcast and series by the Downtown Stockton Alliance, people can watch the amazing individuals who contribute to the growth of Downtown Stockton.

If it weren’t for the DSA, Downtown Stockton wouldn’t be what it is today. Without that extra support, Downtown wouldn’t be able to thrive to its fullest extent. The DSA works directly with business owners, the city, and other entities to ensure Downtown Stockton has an advocate and a supporter willing to help mold, restore, and revitalize Downtown Stockton into what we all envision it to be. The Downtown Stockton Alliance and its executive director work hard with various entities to do what’s best for Downtown Stockton. During my internship with this great organization, I’ve gotten to learn more about the structure of the DSA and what exactly they do; interning with the DSA opened my eyes to a new landscape of downtown.

It was a pleasure to help the Downtown Stockton Alliance over my summer break, and I look forward to other projects and programs they will create to continue to support our beloved downtown Stockton business district. I will continue to be active in Downtown Stockton events, activities, new businesses, murals, and other projects just like I have been over the last year.

In conclusion, I absolutely love Downtown Stockton, and I truly believe it is a fabulous place to spend your time, money, and energy to create memories that’ll last a lifetime. I see Downtown shaping into a beautiful place where families across San Joaquin County would want to visit. We have made major progress here, from the newly built Grand View Village 75-unit apartment complex to the brand-new, amazingly well-painted, monarch butterfly mural where we just had the ceremony this morning, my last day as an intern. Downtown Stockton is genuinely a nice place, and I encourage everyone to stop by sometime to visit the great businesses that call Downtown Stockton home. Without the Downtown Stockton Alliance, Downtown Stockton wouldn’t be nearly in the shape it is today, and I’m proud to say that I’ve been able to help them in daily assignments as a DSA intern! I look forward to seeing you all sometime here in Downtown!

Thank you, Zach, for all of your hard work! We wish Zach all the best in his new endeavors, and you may see a few more blog articles from him in the future! Zach founded the organization Save Downtown Stockton – check out his page to follow the work he will be doing through that non-profit.

If you have any interest in serving an unpaid internship at the Downtown Stockton Alliance, please contact [email protected].

Book Lovers Paradise in Downtown Stockton

Posted on May 7, 2018 by digitalgear

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By Paula Sheil,
Tuleburg Press & The Write Place

Nestled in the center of Downtown Stockton is a welcoming book lover’s paradise. Inside are shelves bursting with poetry and art books, vintage printing presses and book binding equipment, polished and brought back to life, and floor-to-ceiling murals depicting Stockton’s lush natural habitats. This book lover’s oasis – The Write Place – is a legacy project of Tuleburg Press.

The mission of Tuleburg Press is to foster literacy in our diverse community by identifying, publishing, and/or mentoring emerging, talented, local writers, especially those who write about life in the Central Valley. The Write Place is where we make that happen.

Located at 343 E. Main Street, The Write Place is a studio workshop that offers classes in book binding, letter press printing, and so much more. During the week, book arts and creative writing classes take place, while on the weekends the center hosts authors and artists who showcase their work.

*Artist Saul Serna works on a linoleum block print in a Delta-inspired environment realized by muralist Armando Perez*.

From cover to cover, Tuleburg Press is all about the book. But more than a book publisher, we host classes where students can create their own books from making the paper, to assembling the book structure, sewing up the book, and filling its pages with creativity!

*Instructor Angie Maxson helps Paige and (mom) Sabrina Wold make junk journals.*

Poets can work under the tutelage of Stockton’s poet laureate Tama Brisbane on Tuesdays. Writers in other genres meet the second and fourth Mondays of the month at our Writers Exchange, where they explore prompts and share their work.

We hold a multitude of different book arts classes throughout the month. Review our schedule and enroll for the classes on our website.

In addition to our regular classes, we often host special events for schools, businesses, and individuals. Schools make hour-long field trips to tour the facility and engage in book arts activities, including book making and creative writing. Businesses have used our services as a company team building retreat, where employees can attend a private workshop in which they learn to make paper, make journals, or learn to bind books. We are always happy to hold birthday parties for bibliophiles; all of our offered classes can become a private party.

To discuss setting up a special event at The Write Place, please contact us via email at [email protected] or via phone 209-949-2233.

We hope to see you soon!

Downtown Stockton Living

Posted on April 26, 2018 by digitalgear

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By Oscar Segura, Lofts & Marketing Manager,
Residences at the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel

Hello there, my name is Oscar Segura. I am delighted to have been selected to tell my story about Downtown Stockton.

I currently work for the University Lofts at the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel. I manage the residences and get to meet people from all walks of life who are interested in our concept of modern downtown living amenities with an all inclusive price.

The idea that only students live in our residences is a misconception I am working on changing. Anyone can apply to live at the University Lofts and enjoy what we have to offer. I mean, who doesn’t want weekly housekeeping included? Oh, and residents receive 20 % off in the Delta Bistro, the hotel’s restaurant. We offer an array of floor plans starting from studios all the way to panoramic 3-bedroom penthouses overlooking the ever growing and changing Downtown. We are just a stone’s throw away from such venues as the Stockton Arena, Banner Island Ballpark, Bob Hope Theatre, and The Sycamore, just to name a few. There is always something going on in Downtown Stockton!

As for me, I am a self proclaimed foodie. Give me all the food! Almost every day you can catch me in one of the many downtown restaurants or cafes. My favorites, just to name a few, are:

Cast Iron – try their hardy sliders or carnitas tacos;

Terra Coffee – I always get the Café de Olla plus it’s a great place to take in some local art;

Deliberation Room – they have a great lunch combo with a panini and salad, YUM!

Thai Thai – because, duh, Thai!

Don Rafa’s Taco Truck – for some much needed yummy Mexican food;

Bella Vista – because, I need more carbs! Check out their endless pasta night on Thursdays, oh, and wash that down with the Tuscan Spritzer (reminds me of my time traveling through Italy, SO GOOD);

Trail Coffee Roasters – because I am hooked on their Lavender Latte and their new coffee shop is so beautiful. Gianna and her team did an amazing job!

House of Ice Cream – because we all scream for ice-cream!

Red Orchids – for some bomb Pilipino food. Plus, try their chicken adobo and they also offer lunch buffets with a new menu every day.

Fusion Boba Café – Give Me All The Boba!

One thing that always mesmerizes me is the architecture in Downtown Stockton. There are many beautiful buildings here that have so much history. Downtown is attracting awesome creatives who are taking refuge here breathing life and energy into our neighborhood, and it is exciting to watch it grow.

My personal life is all in Downtown. I live, work, and work out in Downtown. Everything I do daily is within a 4-mile radius and I love it! Sometimes I just walk aimlessly with camera in hand photographing those alley ways and details otherwise easily missed. For me, love is in the details and there are a lot of details in downtown’s architecture and a lot of love in the people that inhabit and help improve it.

Until next time!