SRA Partnership Spotlight: Autodesk – Building A Diverse And Inclusive Culture At Scale

Students Rising Above believes that in order to achieve equitable college access and workforce participation, we must address the ways in which access to education is inextricably intertwined with class status, race and ethnicity, and income. Every day, we work to increase college persistence and equitable workforce participation by providing tools, resources, training, and robust financial and socioemotional support, because we know that every student can and will achieve greatness when holistically supported to fully develop their identity, socioemotional, and physical well-being.

SRA is grateful to partner with over 250 companies across the San Francisco Bay Area, providing meaningful internship opportunities, career mentoring, and job training workshops. We’re spotlighting our incredible corporate partners, who have provided critical internship, career mentoring, and training opportunities, ensuring nearly 80% of SRA students secure a professional job within one year of graduation.

Autodesk has been a dedicated partner in our work for nearly a decade, hiring SRA students and alumni in various internships and full-time roles, from Communications to Diversity & Inclusion to Global Product Support to Human Resources, and more – building a diverse and inclusive culture at scale.

Additionally, Autodesk has graciously hosted SRA Career Insight Days, SRA’s 20th anniversary celebration, alumni association events, and has been a dedicated corporate partner, making their first corporate donation to SRA in 2016. Most recently, Autodesk provided SRA with a generous contribution, further ensuring that our students receive the professional training necessary to thrive in their future careers.

“Autodesk is proud to support Students Rising Above and their commitment to invest in low-income, first-generation college students who have demonstrated a deep commitment to education. Working with established organizations like SRA has helped Autodesk on our journey to build a diverse and inclusive culture at scale. We value the important work SRA is doing to reduce barriers to education and career advancement, especially for those from underserved backgrounds.”– Autodesk

SRA expresses our deepest gratitude to the entire Autodesk team for its support of our programs and students. Because of our generous donors and corporate partners, like Autodesk, SRA students will persevere, continue their pursuit of a quality post-secondary education, and go on to secure fulfilling and meaningful careers – creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce for all.