FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does Hack.Diversity provide technical training? ⊕

Hack.Diversity is NOT a bootcamp or coding program; candidates with zero experience in software engineering, data analytics, or mechanical engineering at the time of applying to participate will NOT be successful in the program.

For candidates who have the foundational skills per eligibility requirements, Hack.Diversity DOES provide a technical project experience and learning paths through which Fellows can continue to enhance and strengthen in-demand skills ahead of interviewing for internships. If you’d like to improve on your technical skills before applying to Hack.Diversity, check out some of these technical training programs HERE.

How long is Hack.Diversity’s program? ⊕

Hack.Diversity operates in an annual 9-month cycle from January through early September. Expect a time commitment of 20 hours/month from January - May. If you are matched into a paid internship, you can expect to work a full-time schedule (40 hours/week) starting in the summer.

Upon successful completion of the program, and contingent upon continued practice of Hack.Diversity Code of Conduct Fellows transition into Hack.Alumni. Benefits include access to resources, network, employment opportunities, speaking opportunities, professional development opportunities, and leadership opportunities. Furthermore, Hack.Alumni have the opportunity to pay it forward by mentoring, coaching, and supporting future Fellows.

What is the expected time commitment of the program? ⊕

We ask that Fellows are available to:

• Dedicate ~20 hours/month between January – May to participate in Hack.Diversity programming, which includes an in-person orientation in the Greater Boston OR NYC, monthly workshops and events, timely submission of deliverables, and regular communication with Hack.Diversity Team and Mentors
• Dedicate ~40 hours/week (full time) between June – August to participate in Hack.Diversity summer programming, which may include the full-time internship as well as in-person and virtual workshops and events in Greater Boston OR NYC (respective to site acceptance)

What are the financial benefits associated with becoming a Hack.Diversity Fellow? ⊕

Participating in Hack.Diversity is FREE for Fellows selected into the program. Depending on situation, Hack.Diversity may subsidize costs related to accessing in-person workshops, such as transportation benefits. Additionally, summer internships (June – August) are paid competitively to what each Host Company pays interns in similar roles. See below for more information on internship wages.

What is Hack.Diversity looking for in successful applicants? ⊕

For candidates applying to participate in Hack.Diversity 2024, we welcome ALL applicants who are 18+ and feel like they have a solid technical foundation to complete internships in the following roles: software engineering, data analytics, and mechanical engineering.

Please note: our NYC site will only offer a software development/engineering track.

Do I have to live in Boston OR New York City? ⊕

The 2024 Fellowship is virtual with in-person gatherings. Fellows should, however, have plans to live within commuting distance of Boston OR NYC (respective to site acceptance) for the entire Fellowship (January through August).

Recommended technical foundations: ⊕

• Minimum of 1.5 years of technical training under your belt through academic coursework, bootcamp or self-taught training
• Available to dedicate the expected time commitment to the program. See above.
• Passionate about diversity in tech
• In the past our Fellows have come from 4-year public and private colleges, 2-year programs, community colleges, certificates and bootcamp programs.

When does the application open and what is the selection process like? ⊕

Our application opens every July. Our priority deadline is September 15th for an early decision and our regular deadline is November 3rd. All final decisions will be sent in December with programming beginning in January. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow our social media accounts at the bottom of the page to stay up to date!

What are the required application components? ⊕

All applicants are asked to submit demographic data and skills background including, but not limited to: a transcript (unofficial is fine), resume, short essay responses, and contact information for 1 reference.

Does Hack.Diversity only accept candidates who are Black and/or Latinx? ⊕

No. The Hack team is committed to reading 100% of submitted applications and screening for candidates who advance our mission. Hack's mission is to increase representation for Black and Latinx technologists. We believe anyone can drive us towards this mission.

In our application, candidates are invited to share why Hack's mission resonates with them now. We will choose candidates based on three pillars: 1. commitment to our mission 2. relevant technical experience 3. demonstrating how this program will support your needs and how you will support the Hack.Community.

Can international students apply to Hack.Diversity? ⊕

Hack.Diversity encourages the representation of diverse backgrounds in technology. We are not equipped to provide support for candidates who need to secure work authorization. DACA and Asylee candidates who have valid work authorization and do not require sponsorship now or in the future ARE eligible to apply.

Can Hack.Diversity sponsor Fellows’ work authorization? ⊕

No, Hack.Diversity is not able to sponsor work authorization for Fellows.

How can I stay updated on all things Hack.Diversity? ⊕

Subscribe at the bottom of the page to receive Hack.Diversity Community newsletters and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Medium for the LATEST UPDATES about upcoming programming, news, and notable highlights about the Hack.Community.

How can I get a Hack.Diversity representative to meet with my organization/school/workplace/etc.? ⊕

We'd love to connect and hear more about your organization/school/workplace, whether for recruiting Fellows, Mentors, or potential Hack partners. Please reach out to us via info@hackdiversity.com to let us know what you have in mind!

Are Fellows guaranteed placement into a summer internship? ⊕

Assuming a Fellow is an active participant in Hack.Diversity programming and upholds all commitments as agreed upon in your signing of the Hack.Diversity offer package, historically, Hack.Diversity has placed the majority of these Fellows into successful internship experiences. In 2022, 97% of Fellows matched into Host Company internships.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We strongly consider Fellows’ demonstrated adherence to Hack responsibilities when recommending candidacy for companies’ internships. Fellows and the Hack.Team are partners in launching the career that Fellows want – we provide access, resources, preparation, guidance, and feedback to launch growth-oriented tech careers, and this is most effective when Fellows also prioritize program participation, work on best practices as guided, and submit deliverables on time. The Hack.Team reserves the right to dismiss a Fellow from the program if shown a pattern of neglect of Hack responsibilities.

What is the interview process? ⊕

Assuming Fellows are submitting deliverables by the requested timeline, everyone will be matched with at least 3 interviews come Interview Days in April. Hack.Diversity will provide all Fellows with a guided timeline to set Fellows up for successful interview outcomes. We encourage all Fellows to prepare accordingly by leveraging Hack.Diversity’s process and resources, using maximum effort to deliver high quality content for all your Hack.Diversity tasks, proactively seeking feedback, and incorporating recommendations and feedback provided by the Hack.Team and Fellows’ Hack.Mentor.

See next question for what happens after interviews.

How do Fellows get matched into internships? ⊕

Assuming a Fellow is an active participant in Hack.Diversity programming and upholds all commitments as agreed upon in your signing of the Hack.Diversity offer package, Fellows will get at least interviews for 3 summer internship roles.

The Hack.Team matches internships like medical school matches (i.e. 1:1 matches). Post interviews, Fellows rank their Host Company preferences and Host Companies rank their candidate preferences. Both submit these preferences to the Hack.Team. The Hack.Team considers three things when making internship matches — companies’ preferences, Fellows’ preferences, and Hack’s objective perspective of what environments are most conducive to support the Fellow’s success within the internship, given Fellows’ background, career interests, and demonstrated participation style and level of engagements in Hack.Diversity commitments.

Where will the summer internships take place? ⊕

You will find out within two weeks after Interview Days in April. Summer internships will take place at the locations of one of our Host Company Partners.

What is a “Tech.Dive”? ⊕

All Hack.Diversity Fellows are required to complete a technical project in advance of interviews for internships. These projects will take place in groups and will be specific to your career track (Software Engineering, Data Analytics, or Mechanical Engineering). Participation in this project is mandatory in order to interview for internships.

Desired Outcomes of the Tech.Dive:

• Refresh your technical skills through a hands on project
• Develop recent project experience to discuss in interviews
• Work collaboratively with others in your field
• Practice managing stakeholders, conflict resolution, and critical thinking

Who are Hack.Diversity Mentors? ⊕

All Hack.Diversity Fellows are matched with a dedicated, 1:1 Mentor for the duration of the Fellowship program. Our Mentor Network is made up of 200+ leading professionals committed to the Hack.Diversity mission and working to support Fellows by sharing their time, insights, networks, and skills.

What was a “de.Hackathon”? ⊕

It was the technical group project component of our Fellowship program from 2019 through 2021. In traditional Hackathons, participants are tasked to ideate, prototype, and present solutions to known problems, business opportunities, or technologies, within 24 – 48 hours. The Hack.Diversity de.Hackathon (deconstructed Hackathon) addressed the same design thinking goals, but stretched this experience out over three months to enable a realistic timeframe during which Fellows strengthened in-demand technical and people skills.