About us
Who are we?
Freshworks is a place where skill & craftsmanship is celebrated over college degrees & pedigree. As an organization, what we understand and do best is build high quality softwares. We decided to teach this skill to the underserved community. Thereby give an opportunity to deserving young adults (18-21 year olds) who are unable to pursue higher education after 12th Grade from really low income families. What if this skill gets them a job, lifts them & their families permanently out of generational poverty cycles? Thus was born our flagship social impact program Freshworks STS Software Academy (FSSA).
If you are wondering What “STS” stands for ?
Owing to the unexpected (sudden) demise of our ex-SVP of Engineering Mr.STS Prasad, Girish our CEO decided to brand the “Software Academy” with STS name, in honor of him. Software Academy was a project closest to STS’s heart, we felt STS will live through FSSA !!! Fun Trivia - STS Prasad stands for: Siripurapu Taraka Subramanya Prasad :).
Our Vision
Freshworks aspires to be at the forefront in delivering comprehensive AI, coding, and technology skill-building programs to underserved communities across India. Our vision is to foster inclusivity and sustainable growth through access to technology education.
Our Mission
With a vision to take tech to all, Freshworks is committed to running a model Software Academy that creates well-rounded professionals by moulding students from underserved and under-resourced communities. Every resource, process and tech the Academy creates, is created as an open source that can be utilised by one and all through well founded and meaningful partnerships.
Our journey began with a pilot batch of 13 students, followed by Batch 2, which expanded to 30 students. With continued growth, we scaled to 90 students, all of whom have successfully secured placements across various tech industries. Today, Batch 4 consists of 80 aspiring professionals who are equipping themselves with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the software industry.
How is this course structured?
English track
Life skills track
Tech skills track
Problem solving track
We run 4 tracks in this program:
| Tracks | Curriculum |
|---|---|
| Track 1 (English) | Basic communication in a professional setting |
| Track 2 (Life skills) | Focus on students’ self awareness, self management, social skills, adaptability and continuous learning |
| Track 3 (Problem Solving) | Basic Aptitude, Maths, Data Structures Algorithms |
| Track 4 (Tech Projects) | Computer Fundamentals, Frontend (HTML/CSS/JS) Basic Python, MySQL |
Overall, the program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in software development, technical skills and soft skills that will prepare them for successful careers in the field.
Frequently asked questions
🧑🏻💻 Who are our students?
Students came from many walks of life, from distant rural parts of the state. The milk delivery boy, the truck driver’s daughter, the carpenter’s son, the flower-seller’s son, the district government school topper whose parents divorced & could not afford college. Almost all of them had not touched a laptop before. They used our stipends to find & pay for their hostel stays near our office. The food, the city, the glass buildings were all new.
Freshworks STS Software Academy is designed for students aged 18 to 21 who are unable to continue their education beyond 12th or 10th + diploma.
Students are from Tamil medium government schools, those from low-income households, single-parent families from rural areas.
Students who are hungry for opportunities to improve their lives and are ready to learn any skill required, with effort and the right attitude.
📚 What skills do students gain?
The Freshworks STS Software Academy offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers English & life skills, basic maths and aptitude, frontend (HTML/CSS/JS).
Students based on their interest and track record, will be further trained in Java, React, Selenium, Power BI or Advanced Python
We believe in experiential or project based learning. Students do projects and familiarize themselves with development tools and processes such as Git, SonarCloud, VSCode, Eclipse, and MySQL Workbench.
By the end of the program, students will have gained a range of technical skills that will prepare them for entry-level jobs in the software development industry.
🕘 What is the time commitment for this course?
The Freshworks STS Software Academy is a rigorous program that requires a significant time of commitment. Students undergo a 1 year in-classroom training, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.