With its combination of hard skills and high job demand, STEM offers incredible career potential, but a perceived lack of diversity can be off-putting for those from underrepresented backgrounds. After all, if you can’t see it, you can’t be it.
Oracle CEO Safra Catz recently met with a group of our Oracle Interns from diverse backgrounds to hear about their experiences interning at Oracle’s Redwood Shores campus and discuss ways to further diversity in STEM. Safra herself represents a move towards a more diverse tech industry and understands how powerful bias can be if left unchecked.
“I can tell you, I wouldn’t be where I am today if folks did not fight their unconscious bias when I first started,” she recently stated when speaking on gender equality, and the same holds true when it comes to breaking the cycle for all marginalized groups.
Creating extraordinary leaders
Oracle Internship Programs offer students the opportunity to launch careers with world-class project experience, mentorship and impact.
Summer-long programs work by directing students into corporate or development streams depending on their interests, then kick-starts their experience with practical learning, mentoring, and project work. Interns have the opportunity to get involved with our Employee Resource Groups during their time to further their sense of belonging and community.
Life-changing
Beyonce McCrary was enthusiastic about the opportunities the internship provides.
“The project work and supportive community have truly been life-changing for me. I have had the chance to network with industry leaders and learn from the best, something I never thought would be possible. This experience has allowed me to flourish in ways I never imagined.”
A sense of community and inspiration
Beyonce’s fellow intern, Solia Valentine, felt the intern program offered the support, community and inspiration needed to succeed.
“The best part of my internship has been the community. From my team supporting me when I needed help, to the intern team putting on events and leadership speaker series, to the ERG outreach, I feel so welcomed and at home at Oracle.”
“I feel incredibly privileged to meet Oracle’s CEO. It was an incredible learning experience, and to have her time and insights was amazing, and helped me to solidify my own intent for my career and future.”
Committed to diversity and inlcusion
This positivity is all part of our never-ending commitment to diversity and inclusion—from the opportunities it creates, to the lives and communities it transforms. From our core equal opportunities policy to the grass roots actions of our employee resource groups (ERGs).
Another intern, Jacob Just-Buddy saw the value of the internship program right away. More than a chance to learn, he sees it as a chance to stand up and set an example.
“To me, it means having the opportunity to be a representative in the tech world and show other minority students that they too can be successful in this field.”
This echoes with the aims of many Oracle ERGs like Alliance of Black Leaders for Excellence (ABLE), that support the career aspirations of employees at Oracle..
Levelling the playing field
The growth of diversity and inclusion in the industry has become unstoppable. Organizations setting an example is a powerful lever in the battle for representation, but so too is levelling the playing field through concrete action like education.
The Oracle Education Foundation is a non-profit funded by us which taps into the world leading expertise of Oracle’s people to inspire the next generation of professionals.
Meanwhile, initiatives like Oracle Academy offer free STEM education to millions of students globally. As a tech leader, we’re only too aware of the power of computing skills to open the door to opportunities for people from all backgrounds. That’s why we offer resources tailored to Oracle products that democratize access to STEM education.
Meaningful
This approach appeals to Joel Hernandez, and he sees the Oracle intern programs and recruiting efforts on historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic serving institutions as a continuation of that spirit of inclusiveness.
“As a first-generation student, I can relate to having immigrant parents that push you to strive for the best. My parents did not know anything about college or the corporate world, all they told me was to study and work hard. I realized luck is a huge factor as things will not go your way or how you expected. So, it is nice to be able to know that I do not have to have everything planned.”
“Being a part of this program is meaningful to me because I always appreciate programs like these that help underrepresented groups to become successful.”
Path to success
Finally, Oracle Intern, Kayla Fortson believes that life will never be the same now that she’s had a taste of what’s possible.
“Having the opportunity to be a part of the Oracle intern program is life-altering. I have been able to connect with other interns all over the world and receive mentorship. I was able to gain work experience and insights to further growing upon in my continued education.”
Do you want to break into to a life-changing career in STEM? Explore internships with Oracle.