In an effort to increase diversity in the technology industry, NI (formerly National Instruments) has partnered with Austin Community College District (ACC) to offer students an internship-to-employment track through the college’s Career Scholars program. 

The new NI Technical Scholar program at ACC includes an Engineering Opportunity Scholarship that covers the full cost of attendance. It also includes an immersive development program featuring: 

  • A technical skills bootcamp, 
  • Mentoring from NI and ACC, 
  • A full-time paid summer internship at NI, and 
  • Part-time employment in NI’s Product R&D organization.

“We are excited to team up with NI to expand ACC’s Career Scholars program and lift the weight of paying for college to help underserved students build a rewarding career in the technology field,” says ACC Chancellor Dr. Richard Rhodes. “This kind of work is what it takes to reimagine higher education and eliminate equity gaps, and it’s what we mean when we say ACC is for everyone. Together, ACC and NI are creating new opportunity with critical hands-on training and mentorship at NI. We are excited to watch more students thrive through this program.”

The inaugural cohort will start in September 2021 with the first expected graduation in May 2022.

ACC launched its Career Scholars program in fall 2020 with two inaugural cohorts — one for eligible graduating high school seniors and the other for adult learners. The program was developed to better support underserved communities in the region and provide pathways for students to earn a workforce certificate or degree and enter into a promising, high-demand career. Data from the pilot year show that students in the program had near-perfect persistence rates.

The scholarship program supports NI’s recently launched 10-year corporate impact strategy, Engineering Hope, focused on three pillars with ambitious goals attached to each: changing the faces of engineering, building an equitable and thriving society and engineering a healthy planet.

“Changing the faces of engineering is not a solo endeavor; it requires collective action among industries, educators, and nonprofits,” says Tabitha Upshaw, senior director of brand, reputation and impact at NI. “ACC is a forward-thinking institution that knows how to amplify impact across the Austin community.”

For more information and to apply, visit austincc.edu/career-scholars.