Empowering Future Innovators: The New Face of Tech Scholarship Program

Technology is a rapidly growing field and is becoming larger and more valuable each year. Careers in tech are some of the most rewarding and lucrative, but young women are simply not represented the way they should be. The technology sector is projected to exceed $5.3 trillion in value this year, as there are already more than 585,000 tech companies in the United States alone. Addressing this disparity and fostering the next generation of female leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) is the driving force behind the New Face of Tech Scholarship Program.

Addressing the Gender Gap in Tech

According to the Women CEOs of the S&P 500 list, women in top leadership roles across American companies hold just 5.2 percent of all CEO positions with continued underrepresentation in tech. The New Face of Tech Scholarship Program is 1DF and HARMAN’s ongoing partnership and commitment to funding and spotlighting those inspiring young women with big dreams in STEAM. Our goal is to address the importance of helping women early in their careers, to help level the playing field.

The New Face of Tech Scholarship Program, a collaborative effort between the 1,000 Dreams Fund (1DF) and HARMAN (a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung), is dedicated to providing crucial financial assistance and mentorship opportunities to young women pursuing their passions in STEAM fields. Since 2017, this initiative has been instrumental in supporting emerging female leaders and empowering them to achieve their academic and professional aspirations.

A Legacy of Support: The New Face of Tech Scholarship Program

Since 2017, our "New Face of Tech" scholarship program has provided critical funding and mentorship to women at the start of their careers. To date, we’ve awarded over $150,000 to young women across the country, helping these emerging leaders take bold steps forward in their tech journeys. Each new edition of our New Face of Tech Scholarship Program includes an invitation to young women to share their dreams in STEAM for the chance to win funding and mentorship from HARMAN executives. Our program launched for the first time in 2017 and was subsequently named a 2017, 2018 and 2019 Shorty Social Good Awards Finalist!

The New Face of Tech Scholarship Program was created by the two partners in 2017 to help women get the boost they need, while in school, to successfully graduate and advance in tech industries where they remain underrepresented.

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HARMAN has been an incredible partner because they understand the importance of investing in women, helping them access the resources they need while in school that enable career success upon graduation," said Christie Garton, founder and CEO of 1,000 Dreams Fund.

The Scholarship Package: More Than Just Financial Aid

Each winner will receive a $1,500 microgrant towards their education, career coaching session with a HARMAN executive, and premium headphones from HARMAN'S JBL product line.

Financial Assistance: Each of the selected recipients receives a $1,500 microgrant to help alleviate the financial burden of pursuing higher education. This funding can be used to cover tuition, books, technology, or other educational expenses.
Mentorship: In addition to financial support, scholarship winners are paired with a HARMAN executive for a one-on-one career coaching session. This mentorship opportunity provides invaluable guidance, advice, and support as the students navigate their academic and professional journeys.
Technology Resources: Recognizing the importance of technology in today's world, each recipient also receives premium headphones from HARMAN's JBL product line, providing them with access to high-quality audio equipment for their studies and creative endeavors.

Meet the Scholarship Winners

The New Face of Tech Scholarship Program has supported numerous talented young women with big dreams in STEAM. Here are some of the scholarship winners and their aspirations:

Elise M., 18: "My dream is to become both a pilot and a mechanical engineer."
Serenity H., 18: "My dream is to build rockets and spacecraft."
Uget H., 22: "My dream is to become a business and technology leader."
Jazmin C., 33: "My dream is to inspire women to pursue their dreams."
Aeja J., 35: "My dream is to advance equity in healthcare."
Milan R., 24: "My dream is to be a UX/UI designer."
Elena J., 20: "My dream is to create a place where we truly belong in tech."
Parthvi R., 23: "My dream is to build safety-driven technologies that protect people."
Amy F., 21: "My dream is to bridge the gap between academic research and local communities."
Doha A., 22: "My dream is to use technology to solve real-world problems."
Vanessa E., 19: "My dream is to be a software engineer and start a nonprofit."
Benedicta N., 18: "My dream is to solve real-world problems that affect everyday lives."
Chelsea M., 22: "My dream is to build a career in cybersecurity and cloud computing."
Rashi J., 18: "My dream is to work at the intersection of tech and business."
Sanjina K., 23: "My dream is to build technology that centers people and communities."
Susie S., 17: "My dream is to make robotics and technology accessible to all."
Vanessa I., 22: "My dream is to use finance and technology to build community."
Zaira B., 19: "My dream is to help create systems that empower women."
Bivushi T., 20: "My dream is to be a mechanical engineer."
Sweejal K., 22: "My dream is to be an engineer and technology leader."

These are just some of the inspiring young women who have been supported by the New Face of Tech Scholarship Program. Their stories demonstrate the diverse range of passions and aspirations within the STEAM fields and the transformative impact that the scholarship can have on their lives.

How to Apply for Tech Scholarships

As technology becomes an increasingly vital part of the world, the number of available tech scholarship programs is booming. Applying for scholarships on Bold.org is completely free, so you can apply for as many scholarships as you'd like with no fee. The first step in applying for scholarships is to create a Bold.org profile here. Before applying, make sure your profile is completed.

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Once you've finished working on your profile, you can start browsing through the hundreds of available scholarships here. You can utilize the scholarship filters to find opportunities related to certain hobbies, interests, career industries, and more! When you find a scholarship you're interested in, you can click "apply now" after adding in any necessary application materials to submit your application. If you're short on time, you can bookmark the scholarships you're interested in so you can return to them later.

Tips for Securing a Tech Scholarship

To increase your chances of winning a Bold.org tech scholarship, there are several things you can do. First, find scholarships that are open to just a small group of students. For example, scholarships for women in tech will have fewer eligible applicants than scholarships open to all students. Similarly, scholarships for a certain grade level demographic, like scholarships for high school seniors or undergraduate students, can also be an easy way to find a scholarship program with a smaller applicant pool. By applying for more narrow scholarships, you'll reduce your competition and increase your chances of winning!

Additionally, you can help yourself stick out to donors by being among the first to apply for scholarships. To find new scholarships, you can filter by "newest" to pull up the most recently created scholarships. New opportunities are published daily, so check back often for new scholarships! You can further stand out to donors by having a detailed and unique profile, being nominated by friends, and earning more bold points.

It's important to keep in mind that scholarships may have specific eligibility requirements, such as community service experience, cumulative GPA, low-income status, gender, race, and/or leadership potential. Eligible candidates must meet all of the criteria in order to apply, and those who aren't qualified students will likely be blocked from applying.

You can also win more scholarships by putting more time and effort into your applications. No-essay scholarships will typically be more competitive since they're so easy to apply for. These opportunities can still be useful, especially if you have limited time to spend on applications, but try to also apply for scholarships that require applicants to write essays or submit other materials, as these requirements will deter some other students from applying. When you do write an essay, follow the tips outlined here. Make sure to stick to the given prompt, proofread before submitting, and craft a unique and personal essay that will stand out from the many others that the donor will read.

Types of Tech Scholarships Available

Students can benefit from many different technology scholarships from a variety of sources to help them fund their college degrees. High school seniors and college students should check with their advisor or financial aid office to find out what tech opportunities may be available to them. Additionally, students can benefit from third-party scholarships - such as those found on Bold.org, an independent scholarship platform.

Students can also seek out scholarships from their employers, their parents' companies, and local businesses or organizations that are offering scholarship aid. Regardless of your age, experience, or financial situation, there are scholarships available for anyone pursuing tech or a related field.

Here are some examples of tech scholarships available for different groups of students:

Tech scholarships for high school students: These scholarships are designed to help high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in technology.
Tech scholarships for college students: These scholarships are designed to help college students who are majoring in a technology-related field.
Scholarships for women in tech: These scholarships are designed to help women who are interested in pursuing a career in technology.
Tech scholarships for minorities: These scholarships are designed to help minority students who are interested in pursuing a career in technology.

The Role of HARMAN Inspired

1,000 Dreams Fund is a major partner of HARMAN's global cause movement, HARMAN Inspired, which is preparing the next generation of technology leaders through experiences in music, technology and community service. HARMAN Inspired (www.harman.com/inspired) is HARMAN's global cause movement created to prepare the next generation of technology leaders through unique, immersive and meaningful experiences in music, technology and community service. In collaboration with leading nonprofits around the globe, HARMAN Inspired connects young people to diverse opportunities that motivate them to learn and develop skills and interests in pursuit of careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Technology (STEAM).

"For the past six years, we have been honored support 1,000 Dreams Fund through HARMAN Inspired, our global cause initiative which focuses on advancing the needs of marginalized communities to connect young people with opportunities that will help them develop the skills needed to pursue careers in STE(A)M fields," said Darrin Shewchuk, VP Public Affairs and Communications at HARMAN International.

Overcoming Financial Barriers in Education

With college becoming increasingly expensive, many high school graduates and future students are being deterred from pursuing their undergraduate degree goals. College costs have more than doubled since 2000, now costing an average of $35,331 per year. Depending on the location and status of one's school, the cost can vary greatly. Even at public, in-state schools, tuition can still be too pricey for the average undergraduate or graduate student to afford. As a result, millions of students are forced to turn to loans, with the average borrower owing $37,584.

Student loans can help those with financial need access higher education, but high interest rates and low entry-level job salaries can lead to borrowers becoming buried in debt, especially those who take out loans but don't complete their degrees. With more students becoming aware of the risks of student loans, many prospective students may feel unable to pursue college, leaving a shortage of trained tech professionals. As technology becomes increasingly vital in the world, it's critical that the next generation of tech leaders are supported through higher education so they can become multifaceted employees with knowledge of mathematics, business, computer science, and related fields. A technology scholarship program can be instrumental in helping a student pursue an education and career in technology.

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