On Thursday, March 21, 2019, the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley held a reception in partnership with San Jose State University – Chicanx Latinx Student Success Center for our Latinos in Technology scholarship recipients. In a crowd of 26 Latino in Technology Scholars, President, and CEO, Ron Gonzales posed a question, “How many of you need an internship for the summer?” Immediately, 10 Latino students raised their hands. Gonzales quickly responded back and said, “More of you should be raising your hand.”

He emphasized how vital it is to communicate and ask for help by sharing, “Lisa Anna Dominguez, our Director, Education Programs should become your new best friend.” Dominguez is in frequent communication with corporate funders such as Intel, KLA, LAM Research, Western Digital and can put a resume in front of the appropriate person. In this following example, you will hear from Juan Vidal, a scholarship recipient who was connected to Turo – a car sharing marketplace in San Francisco.

Additionally, Patrick Day, VP of Student Affairs at San Jose University State shared a few words of inspiration for the LIT Scholars. “You are sitting in a moment, right now! This space where you are is substantial, it is unique, and it is ripe with opportunity”, said Day. He emphasized to the scholars that Latino leaders and supporters specifically designed these opportunities for young people take full advantage of them. 

In 2015, our board of directors launched a new initiative to diversify the high-tech workforce and since then we’ve awarded 220 Latinos pursuing a career in STEM. In attendance were scholars, friends, family members, board member Jorge Titinger, Patrick Day VP of Student Affairs at San Jose State University, Dwayne Anderson, associate VP at San Jose State University, Efrin Lopez from KLA, and Carl Guardino.