Solving the diversity problem in the tech world is a complicated problem. Many tech companies have committed to improving their hiring practices but there’s still much progress to be made. In fact, most companies have yet to move the needle by any meaningful degree.
And after the pandemic caused a year of educational tumult for students — especially those of color and underserved populations — it is all the more critical students get career exposure and engagement.
Next month, almost 200 diverse and driven undergrads will gather in Silicon Valley in a step towards becoming the diverse leaders of tomorrow’s tech and engineering workforce.
MESA’s Student Leadership Conference brings together hand-picked engineering and computer science students with industry professionals to develop the next generation of STEM leaders. The conference will take place at Hayes Mansion in San Jose, November 5-6.
Both students and companies leave as winners: students network and gain the soft skills needed to be well-rounded employees; companies gain access to talented candidates for internships and employment.
Companies recognize the importance of engaging with and supporting our students — so much so they fully fund the conference with donations. These enlightened corporate partners understand these are not simply underserved and underrepresented students, they are an underutilized pool of talent that has been long overlooked. Companies simply cannot afford to ignore this talent pool.
This year’s sponsors include: Edison International, Harris and Associates, Keysight and Uber. If you or your company is interested in participating please contact development director Mindy Rieger.
While we plan to host the conference in-person, due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, MESA will continue to adhere to local and state health guidelines, which could change unexpectedly. Stay tuned!