HBCUs are a vital part of our community and produce some of the best talent that we consider black excellence. Despite having a few improvements to make in order to ensure the longstanding legacies of these institutions, major companies are still taking note of their appeal. Google has launched a recruitment program that partners with select HBCUs.
Over the last three years, Google has placed engineers on certain HBCU campuses to promote diversity and train future champions within the STEM industry.
The Google In Residence program includes Howard University, Hampton University, Fisk University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, Xavier University and Dillard University. Students receive extensive knowledge from the engineers, which lead to future internships and full-time employment at top tech firms in Silicon Valley including Google.
Yolanda Mangolini, Head of Google’s Diversity and Inclusion, is excited about the opportunity to recruit from HBCUs which will ultimately make the tech giant what she calls “universally useful” .
She told NBC News, “Ultimately, what we are trying to do is create a company where our workforce reflects the diversity of our users, where we have a culture where everyone here can thrive and people feel comfortable with being themselves.Our mission is to organize the world of information. We cannot be universally useful and accessible if we only look one way.”
Although Google still has some work to do in the diversity department, this is a great step in the right direction. Google isn’t the only corporation eyeing talent at HBCU. The NFL is enhancing its methods of ensuring opportunities like internships and shadowing opportunities for HBCU students. With better aims at diversity and inclusion, the best talent from HBCUs will have a shot at success in a number of fields.
