Seagate employees in California, in partnership with San Jose State University and Santa Clara University, mentored local students with a series of virtual panels. These events offered advice for students preparing to start their careers.
Seagate employees provided interview practice, networking tips and other helpful career-related advice to teach college students useful skills for entering the workforce. Students and mentors were able to make direct connections in spite of the virtual format of the event.
“The new partnership was a success, with university representatives giving a resounding appreciation for Seagate’s efforts.”
Keysight uses its after-school program to enhance children’s STEM education with a series of hands-on science projects. Students design and work with engaging scientific technology including electronic-circuit games, balloon-powered cars, clean water engineering, weather stations and more.
Keysight provides funding and volunteers for the program at no cost to students and participating organizations. Students are able to take home their final projects where they can share their discoveries with family and friends and delve further into the field. The program is primarily utilized in schools but can be hosted in community centers, museums, hospitals and other venues as well.
“Keysight After School is a hands-on science program for children between the ages of 9 and 13 years in communities where the company has a presence. Keysight After School features 23 different hands-on life, physical and earth-science experiments designed as complete “programs-in-a-box” with all the materials needed for students to implement various science-based experiments.”
Juniper Networks: Connecting Others to Opportunity
Juniper Networks is collaborating with a range of charitable organizations to provoke change in the world through a diverse set of interests. Juniper is investing in STEM education initiatives to empower girls and underprivileged youth populations in local schools. Juniper has partnered with several organizations to help advance these efforts, including Girlstart, Hidden Genius Project, and Project Learn.
Additionally, Juniper has put forth robust relief efforts in response to natural disasters to help communities rebuild and revitalize. Since 2015, the company has donated more than $1 million to support relief efforts worldwide. Juniper also emphasizes the importance of volunteering to help support the communities it’s connected to. That’s why every full-time employee is entitled to five paid working days a year that can be spent volunteering for a cause they’re passionate about. Through Juniper’s Matching Gift Program, the company matches donations up to $1000 per year, per employee.
“From STEM education to disaster relief and community volunteering, we partner with charitable organizations whose values align with ours to power connections and empower change in the world.”
You can read more about Juniper Network’s work here.
Dell Technologies: Addressing the Gender Gap in Tech
Dell Technologies is working to promote equality and equity in the workforce. To do so, Dell is pledging that at least 50% of participants in its social and educational initiatives will be women or people from underrepresented groups.
Dell has already seen success with this goal in China from its collaboration with the Chinese Women’s Development Foundation. Since 2016, Dell Technologies has provided support for women at Chinese universities majoring in information and communication technology subjects. It has offered classes, workshops, and seminars to help women thrive in the tech industry.
“To align with our goals of increasing the number of women and underrepresented groups within the Dell Technologies workforce, we want at least half of the participants in our social and educational initiatives to be from those same groups.”
Honeywell: Using STEM Skills to Explore the Future of Fashion
Honeywell believes early STEM education will drive the next generation of innovators. The company recently joined forces with Kelly Oubre, an NBA player for the Charlotte Hornets, as well as Digi-Bridge, an educational non-profit, to provide 3D printers and teach students about how STEM can be implemented in the fashion industry. Students at Governors’ Village STEM Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina worked with Oubre to design accessories for him to wear to his games.
With the help of Honeywell, students transformed their fashion ideas into 3D-printed wardrobe items such as cuff-style bracelets, pendant necklaces and earrings.
“The project, a partnership between Honeywell, the Charlotte Hornets, and the education non-profit Digi-Bridge, got students thinking about how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can help power innovative fashion design.”
Intel works with its communities to close the digital divide. The company partnered with schools, ecosystem partners, local governments, teachers and device manufacturers to distribute laptops and bolster connectivity in communities, providing a solutions-based online learning approach to a million students globally. In the U.S., Intel provided a remote learning solution to students in over 15,000 families representing 45 school districts that serve Title 1 students. Working with First Book, CDW, and other partners, Intel also launched the Creating Learning Connections Initiative, providing students and educators access to critical tools and resources, including Internet connectivity, technology devices, and hands-on STEM learning solutions.
“COVID-19 has exacerbated the technology and educational inequities in communities of need. Now more than ever, it is critical that we come together with partners to combine our unique assets and capabilities to ensure that students have access to a meaningful virtual learning experience.”
SWIFT strives to improve education through the support of associations that help children and young adults in need. SWIFT supports SOS Children’s Villages, an international development organization that works to meet the needs and protect the interests and rights of children worldwide. Following natural catastrophes and disease outbreaks, SWIFT’s staff members contribute to relief efforts across the globe, and SWIFT matches each staff donation.
In response to the crisis in Ukraine, SWIFT continues to support economic stability, resiliency and prosperity across the global financial system, to support long-term resolution and recovery as well as support politically neutral humanitarian organizations through its corporate social responsibility programs.
“Our business is global. SWIFT works with and for financial communities across the globe. We know this is a privilege as well as a responsibility, and we are committed to making a positive impact wherever we can.”
Zoom is committed to a future where all people and the environment are cared for. Their initiative, Zoom Cares, is creating that future by bringing the best of Zoom to help solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges. It deploys funding, technology and technical expertise to address issues in education, social inequity, climate change and mental health. It supports these goals by offering non-profit discounts, encouraging employee volunteerism and matching employee donations dollar-for-dollar.
“These dark and difficult times are illuminated by the people and organizations working tirelessly each and every day to care for their communities. Some are on the ground in local neighborhoods, and others are building networks worldwide. They are delivering essential services, helping to improve access to education and mental health care and providing a safe space for those who need it.” – Eric Yuan, CEO
Qualcomm: Inspiring the Next Generation of Inventors
Qualcomm is committed to nurturing and equipping future innovators with the skills and knowledge to solve global challenges. It works to foster a diverse and inclusive workforce by advancing STEM education for students at all levels and from all backgrounds.
Qualcomm’s Thinkabit Lab shows students how they can be part of inventing a wireless future through hands-on projects and has inspired 85,000 students as of 2021. Qualcomm also collaborates with FIRST, a leading nonprofit that engages PreK-12 students in robotics programs, and Million Girls Moonshot, which aims to inspire one million more girls to receive STEM education through after-school and summer opportunities by 2025.
“This challenge has opened my eyes to this new world of innovation, engineering and entrepreneurship that I never really saw myself pursuing in the past. I now see myself as more than just a female in this male-dominated field, but as an effective contributor and innovator in STEM.”
You can read more about Qualcomm’s work to inspire the next generation of inventors and about countless other projects for good here.
Oracle: Changing lives globally with free computing resources
Oracle Academy advances computing education around the world to increase knowledge, innovation, skills development and diversity in technology fields. By providing free tools and training, the program helps educators in more than 120 countries engage, inspire and prepare millions of students to become college and career-ready technology innovators and leaders.
“Now, more than ever, teachers need virtual resources to keep learners engaged. Oracle Academy supports its member educators with free teaching and learning resources, all available online using a browser.”
HP’s Amplify Impact program is an industry-first partner assessment, resource and training program aimed at driving meaningful change across its three sustainable impact pillars:
Planet – with an emphasis on climate change; People – with an emphasis on human rights and social justice; and Community – with an emphasis on bridging the digital divide.
The program empowers partners to set bold, long-term objectives. HP aims to enroll at least half of its HP Amplify partners in the voluntary Impact program by 2025.
“The strength and reach of our ecosystem are substantial and by bringing our partners with us on this journey, we can work together to create a more sustainable and just world.”
Restoring 100 million trees by 2025 with the Priceless Planet Coalition
Human activity increasingly puts our planet’s most essential forests at risk. MasterCard wants to combat this threat. That’s why The Priceless Plant Coalition will employ a forest restoration model dedicated not only to the planting of 100 million trees, but also to the regrowing of forests in geographies that represent the greatest global need.
“The green transition is happening, but not at the speed needed. As citizens, businesses, and societies, we need to cut emissions faster and deeper and at the same time step up efforts to preserve land and forests and enhance natural sinks.”
Children with cancer often experience isolation during an already difficult time in their lives. Hopecam helps them connect with their friends, their classrooms, and their support systems while going through treatment. Each child receives a tablet computer with a webcam and internet access in their home. Hopecam relies on Logitech video conferencing technology to provide essential face-to-face contact.
“Hopecam’s mission is to allow children to socialize, sharing the normal events and conversations of childhood, from celebrating a birthday to checking out who has lost a tooth.”
Building community and boosting grades with esports
GOAL High School is constantly seeking creative ways to engage its at-risk students. That’s why it turned to Lenovo to help found its first-ever esports league. Lenovo donated time and expertise to build an esports program from the ground up — and founded a $20,000 scholarship in the process. The program motivates students to complete their academic work and gives them a sense of purpose.
GOAL isn’t the only academic institution supported by Lenovo. At the University of North Carolina, the company recently constructed a massive gaming arena equipped with nearly 40 top-of-the-line Legion computers, designed especially for gaming, along with keyboards and headsets. Lenovo also provides expertise and ongoing tech support. The program has grown from 300 to 800 students in just three years.
“As a longtime champion of data, creativity, and connectivity, Lenovo offers a multitude of resources for academic institutions, such as financial support, student scholarships, infrastructure, licensing assistance, and of course, expertise.”
In addition, Intel will be providing $400,000 in funding as part of its RISE Technology Initiative, Dell Technologies will be providing technical expertise to allow the 10 selected schools to teach students in-person, hybrid, or online, and AACC will support the implementation of the AI labs in colleges that choose to participate in this program.
“Building upon Intel’s partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges and Dell by establishing incubators for emerging technology education across the U.S. will provide greater access to critically needed technical skills and training in AI. This specialized program is a starting point for the next generation of U.S. technologists, engineers and inventors to expand their innovative thinking and go on to land careers in all sectors of the digital economy.”
— Michelle Johnston Holthaus, Intel executive vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group
Engage. Educate. Employ. In partnership with select minority-serving institutions, Dell is advancing diversity to transform the tech industry.
Through Dell’s unique curriculum, Develop with Dell, the tech company is empowering underrepresented minority students with free access to a world-class sales and STEM training program that enhances their marketability for roles across Dell Technologies, its customer and partner ecosystem, and the IT industry.
Learn more about Dell’s Changing the Face of Tech program here.
Intel Launches and Expands AI Degree Program Across the U.S.
The Intel AI® for Workforce Program launched in 2020 in partnership with the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) in Arizona to create the first Intel-designed artificial intelligence (AI) associate degree program in the U.S.
Students at Chandler-Gilbert Community College gather for a new student orientation in 2019. Intel is partnering with Maricopa County Community College District to launch the first Intel-designed artificial intelligence associate degree program in the U.S. The program’s first phase will be piloted online at Estrella Mountain Community College and Chandler Gilbert Community College in fall 2020. (Credit: Maricopa County Community College District)
MCCCD is one of the largest community colleges in the U.S. with more than 100,000 students across 10 campuses. With this degree program, students will learn fundamental skills such as data collection, AI model training, coding and ethics. In addition, Intel contributes technical advice, faculty training, summer internships and mentorships for students and faculty members.
In 2021, Intel announced a major expansion of its AI for Workforce Program across the U.S. The program had been added in 18 institutions across 11 U.S. states that serve a total of 800,000 students, and plans to expand to 50 more community and vocational colleges in 2022 are underway.
Programs like this are incredibly important to keeping the U.S. workforce competitive and ensure that Americans are keeping up with the global demand for artificial intelligence skills that are expected to grow exponentially. Learn more about the AI associate degree program here.
High quality educational opportunities should be available for all Americans, not just those who live in certain zip codes.
In the global innovation economy, the American workforce is falling behind on the skills needed for tomorrow’s high-paying technology and science jobs. Greater investment in STEM programs is needed to ensure that our workforce maintains a competitive advantage in the global innovation economy. Technology allowed for wide-scale implementation of online learning at a moment’s notice when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It will continue to allow educators, students, and institutions to reimagine how tech can help to provide further flexibility, increase access, and promote equity in education.
Good policy supports long-term educational policy solutions that empower American students from primary to higher education to excel in STEM fields. It means increased investment in basic research at U.S. universities, which often leads to next-generation innovations and new businesses and jobs. It means increased funding for STEM and computer science education as well as apprenticeships, technical training programs and workforce development with a technology focus. Public-private partnerships can help ensure that American students and workers have the right set of digital tools for the future.
