Planet Reveals Software Impact Program to Support Racial Equity

Inside a Planet Labs office. Photo: Planet Labs

Planet Labs revealed on Friday the creation of the Planet Software Impact Program, which aims to expand career opportunities for groups who have been historically underrepresented and marginalized in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). According to the post on Planet Pulse, the program is beginning with the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community. This initiative is being led by Planet SVP of Engineering Brian Hernacki, and includes an internship program.

The company expresses that although more than 50 percent of Planet’s leaders identify as being part of an underrepresented group, the U.S. workforce as a whole is lacking. The goal of the program is to help those interested in working in the tech industry who encounter obstacles such as affordability, location, and access.

Planet is currently working to offer remote job opportunities in the Detroit, Atlanta, and Oakland areas for the initial launch. In late September of this year, the company will welcome its first Software Impact Program interns, and the program is currently taking applications.

“We recognize that systemic barriers play a significant role in the lack of diversity in the tech sector,” Hernacki said. “Only seeking talent from high-cost institutions creates enormous exclusion. Relocation to high-cost cities also filters out too much promising talent. We have an opportunity to break those patterns.”