Just a few miles from LMU’s Westchester and Playa Vista campuses, Google’s Code Next initiative opened the doors this summer to its newest lab in Inglewood, California. The launch marks an exciting new chapter for the innovative program, and for the growing collaboration between Code Next Inglewood and Loyola Marymount University.
Code Next Inglewood is an afterschool education program that cultivates the next generation of tech leaders in Los Angeles. The program brings cutting-edge technology and mentorship from professional Googlers directly into local communities, giving high school students the inspiration and tools to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields.
The new location, situated amongst The Shops at Hollywood Park — offers a state-of-the-art space for learning, collaboration, and innovation. For LMU alumni Andy Egold ’25, whose degree is in political science and international relations and Antonio Coelho ’25, whose degree is in computer engineering, it also became the setting for an unforgettable internship experience their senior year this past spring.
As part of the inaugural cohort of LMU interns with Code Next Inglewood, Egold and Coelho worked with high school students, known in the program as “engineers,” as they progressed through an introductory course in electrical engineering. Alongside providing technical support and skills coaching to the engineers, the LMU interns also had opportunities to connect with full-time Googlers, gaining insights and forging professional relationships as they prepared for graduation.
“For LMU students, opportunities like this go far beyond career preparation and exploration — they are immersive, mission-aligned experiences that cultivate professional and personal growth, and a deeper commitment to service and justice,” said Jody Skenderian, executive director for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at LMU.
This experience opened doors not just for Egold and Coelho but also for future LMU students. With Code Next Inglewood planning to expand its curriculum to include film and television production, mixed reality, and machine learning in the 2025–26 academic year, more opportunities for LMU students are available this semester.
Interested students can email a resume to [email protected] to apply for the internship or visit a representative from Code Next Inglewood at LMU’s Wellness Wednesday on Aug. 27 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to learn more.
Reflecting on their time at Code Next Inglewood, both Egold and Coelho described the experience as deeply rewarding.
“We went in every Tuesday for about five hours and supported the Engineers — students aged 14 to 16 — as they worked through ideas, asked questions, and brought their projects to life,” said Egold. “It was really fulfilling to be part of that journey.”
Throughout the semester, the engineers participated in a hands-on electrical engineering course that culminated in a final showcase. Tasked with identifying needs within their own community, students presented inventive solutions such as a self-pitching softball machine to support wellness through athletics, and noise-canceling earbuds to combat Inglewood’s bustling soundscape.
“Seeing the students’ progress and the depth of their thinking was awesome,” said Coelho. “Code Next gives them a space to truly engage with real-world problems and develop solutions with hands-on support.”
For Egold and Coelho, the internship also offered networking opportunities with Google employees who volunteer with Code Next — a mentorship aspect that left a lasting impact.
“Having conversations with Googlers was one of the most valuable parts of the experience,” said Egold.
For LMU students like Egold and Coelho, and the young engineers they mentored, this experience is just the beginning of a future full of possibility and impact.