Initiative Spotlight
Intel's Employee Service Corps
Applying skilled volunteers to education, STEM and other pressing needs
The highlight of a career, a turning point in a child’s life. Intel designed an immersive program that pairs employee talent and technology to deliver improved education, disaster relief and more to underserved communities.
Intel Employee Service Corps (IESC) is the company’s flagship skills-based volunteer program, which provides opportunities for Intel employees to drive positive change in communities around the world. Launched in 2009, IESC harnesses the passion and expertise of Intel employees, as well as the power of Intel technology solutions, to improve quality of education, broaden access to opportunity, address global challenges and support community needs.
While fulfilling the company’s purpose — to create world-changing technology that enriches the lives of every person on earth — Intel, through the IESC program, works directly with governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to address global and local challenges, including significant disaster relief efforts.
Following a competitive application process, selected employees (who are often sponsored by their respective organizations within Intel) spend two to three weeks preparing for deployment and then roughly two weeks “in the field” for a three- to six-month individual employee externship, giving their time and talent alongside Intel’s non-profit partners.
These fully immersive experiences aim to deliver sustainable, long-term impact in each community. In addition to realizing benefits from helping communities in need, over 90% of IESC alumni have reported improvements in overall job satisfaction, career development, individual leadership, teamwork skills, dealing with ambiguity and cross-cultural awareness.
Since its inception, IESC volunteers have been on the ground in communities around the world. In 2020, IESC developed a proactive response to the COVID-19 pandemic and delivered critical technology solutions while working in a virtual environment.
Recent highlights
2017: IESC created one of many “tinkering labs” in India, delivered the second cohort of Intel Future Skills in North Las Vegas, NV, empowering youth today with the essential skills and experiences for the jobs of the future, supported a Women in Science (WiSci) STEAM camp in Malawi, led a STEAM camp for middle school girls in Arizona, worked with the local government to help assess and stand up technology across Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, and built a learning lab following the destructive earthquakes in Jojutla, Mexico.
2018: IESC supported 12 projects in seven countries, including WiSci STEAM camps in partnership with the U.S. Department of State and the United Nations “Girl Up” program in the countries of Namibia and Georgia to expand opportunities for high school girls.
2019: IESC volunteers participated in 10 projects in four countries, including WiSci STEAM camps in Kosovo, Estonia and the first U.S. camp in Bend, Oregon.
2020: IESC virtually deployed online instruction at multiple schools in Nepal, building upon a seven-year partnership with a non-profit organization and led by Intel’s Non-Volatile Solutions Group, and piloted two employee externships with the California Department of Education and the California Manufacturing Technology Association.
Fast facts
Since its launch in 2009, IESC has been directly improving lives through Intel employee volunteer engagement and technology solutions:
Shared value
Through IESC, Intel is collaborating with others to improve access to technology and quality of education in areas with the highest need — in addition to inspiring the next generation of innovators. Both employee volunteers and our partners value the program’s impact:
“Intel Employee Service Corps experience has been the defining moment of my 14-year Intel career. The life-changing support and technology we provided to our clients made me proud to work for Intel.” –Kieshawn Lewis, IESC Eswatini project lead volunteer
“In 2011, I participated in the Kenya project, visiting Thika and Rusinga Island. It was definitely the highlight of my career and led to additional opportunities within Intel. The program offers an incredible opportunity to learn, connect with colleagues from around the world, and serve using our expertise where it is needed in the world.” –Marne Dunn, IESC alum
“At the Department of Education of Puerto Rico, we are most grateful for the efforts and collaboration from Intel and its partners in helping us with the process of recovery and reestablishment of our schools. The students of Puerto Rico along with the teachers and school administrators are most thankful for the assistance from Intel in our time of need.” –Carlos Vega, Director of Technology and Curriculum, Department of Education