Class of 2020 graduates have found themselves in a peculiar time navigating our new normal. From canceled graduations and proms to adjusting to remote learning online, students are at a great disadvantage during this time.

Many graduates are faced with the reality of an uncertain economy with a scarcity of internships and job opportunities. According to a new report published by Glassdoor, 1 in 2 U.S. internship openings on Glassdoor have been closed since the coronavirus crisis began resulting in over four million jobs being lost.

To assist students and graduates during this transition period, HP announced that it plans to launch a new virtual development experience targeting HBCU students, Black Enterprise reports.

HP Summer Scholars, a free virtual development series to help university students with business and professional skills, will launch this summer and run from June 15–July 24. The program plans to help students with the following:

    • Learn how a global business operates and how business decisions are made.

    • Explore technology in core business areas, including gaming, 3D, software data analytics, and sales.

    • Hear about real business challenges from our own HP experts.

    • Understand how global megatrends influence our business and the global economy.

    • Identify the behaviors and mindsets required to take risks and innovate for the future.

    • Discover career possibilities at HP through stories from our employees who are recent graduates

    • Network with other students and business leaders.

HP is currently working with a group of deans from various HBCUs across the country to implement their program.

Additionally, the tech giant has donated over $1 million in direct relief efforts to communities who have been directly impacted by the global health crisis as well as used its 3D printing technology to produce equipment for healthcare workers.

“As a global company, we understand the importance of acting globally while executing at the local level,” said chief commercial officer Christoph Schell of HP to Channel Futures. “Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we are taking a customized approach specific to the unique and evolving dynamics at the market and country level, depending on a variety of factors.”

Students can apply for the program by visiting HP’s website or emailing [email protected].