Sowing Opportunity, Reaping Innovation: George DeMet on the Power of Inclusive Drupal Development

At Palantir.net, growing new talent and fostering inclusivity are part of their core mission. Through the Palantir Fellowship Program, they offer scholarships, mentorship, and real-world Drupal development experience to individuals from marginalized and underrepresented communities. To learn more about the program’s goals, impact, and evolution, The Drop Times spoke with George DeMet, founder and CEO of Palantir.net.

In this interview, George shares the motivations behind the Fellowship Program and how Palantir’s values align with the broader goals of the Drupal community. He discusses how the program was carefully designed to remove systemic barriers to entry, providing not just financial support but also mentorship, real project experience, and opportunities for long-term career development.

Palantir’s approach goes beyond just hiring—it focuses on building a strong, sustainable pipeline of diverse Drupal professionals who can contribute fresh ideas and new perspectives to the open-source ecosystem. George also reflects on partnerships with organizations like the Chicago Housing Authority and collaborations with DrupalEasy, showing how external partnerships are crucial for expanding reach and support.

As the tech industry continues to grapple with diversity challenges, Palantir’s Fellowship Program serves as a powerful example of how focused, values-driven initiatives can help shape a stronger, more inclusive future.

TDT [1]: What inspired Palantir.net to start offering scholarships for Drupal training programs like DrupalEasy’s Drupal Career Online course?

George DeMet: At Palantir, we’ve long believed that growing talent is one of the best ways to build a strong team. Some of our longest-serving team members started as interns and are still with us over a decade later. However, we knew we needed to do more to create an ongoing, sustainable pipeline for Drupal talent and ensure our interns were well-equipped. That’s why, in 2021, we launched our Fellowship Program, which provides a full scholarship to Drupal Career Online, followed by a paid internship at Palantir.

TDT [2]: Could you explain how the Fellowship Program works—from initial training through Drupal Career Online to the internship and potential full-time position—and what goals you had in mind when creating it?

George DeMet: The Fellowship provides participants with paid tuition to Drupal Career Online, a cash stipend to support them during the course, a used MacBook Pro, and mentorship from a Palantir team member. After graduation, Fellows are offered a full-time, paid three-month internship as junior developers. Those who reach Level 1 skill requirements during their internship are offered full-time positions with Palantir. The goal was to create a sustainable, supportive pathway into professional Drupal development.

TDT [3]: How does Palantir.net select individuals eligible for these scholarships, and what qualities or backgrounds do you prioritize?

George DeMet: Our Fellowship is open to anyone who has experienced marginalization due to racism, misogyny, transphobia, or other discrimination. Starting in 2024, we partnered with the Chicago Housing Authority to offer at least one Fellowship annually to an individual qualifying as an economically disadvantaged worker under HUD Section 3. Applicants are reviewed by DrupalEasy and interviewed by Palantir. We look for motivation, aptitude for technology careers, and individuals who will enrich our culture.

TDT [4]: Beyond financial assistance, how does Palantir.net support scholarship recipients, such as through mentorship or internships?

George DeMet: We provide extensive support: mentorship from a Palantir team member, guidance throughout the course, and a guaranteed paid internship post-graduation. Mentorship ensures Fellows have someone to turn to with questions and helps them integrate into team workflows.

TDT [5]: Why did Palantir.net choose to partner specifically with DrupalEasy for this initiative, and what makes their program stand out?

TDT [6]: The Drupal community values diversity and inclusion. How did those values influence your Fellowship program from the outset?

George DeMet: Our values align with those of the Drupal community. We work with clients who serve diverse audiences, so it’s important for us to reflect that diversity internally. Because we’ve always emphasized inclusivity as a remote company, introducing this program faced no resistance.

TDT [7]: Why are diversity-focused programs so important in the context of Drupal internships and early careers?

George DeMet: Fresh perspectives are critical to the ongoing growth and innovation of Drupal. Our Fellowship Program is designed to empower contributors who might not otherwise have access. Several graduates have already become active organizers and contributors in the community, which is exactly the impact we hope to see.

TDT [8]: In open source tech, diversity gaps are well-documented. How does your initiative address these disparities?

George DeMet: We specifically target communities underrepresented in tech. The Fellowship provides structured opportunities—education, mentorship, and real-world experience—to individuals who have faced barriers like racism, misogyny, or economic hardship.

TDT [9]: Palantir partnered with the Chicago Housing Authority in 2024. How did this partnership come about, and what has been its significance?

George DeMet: Creating opportunities for disadvantaged workers was a requirement in our work with the CHA. They use their network to help identify potential Fellowship candidates, expanding our reach to those who might not otherwise have access to these opportunities.

TDT [10]: How do you measure the success of your Fellowship Program beyond just hiring outcomes?

George DeMet: We track retention rates and career progress of Fellows, ensuring they’re offered the same growth opportunities as others. We also value contributions to the Drupal community—whether through organizing events, contributing code, or mentoring others.

TDT [11]: What impact have you seen on the Drupal community as a result of this scholarship program?

George DeMet: We've seen several program graduates become active contributors and community leaders. We hope to continue breaking down systemic barriers within open source and create a more inclusive future for Drupal.

TDT [12]: How has the Fellowship program evolved since it began?

George DeMet: We've adapted based on mentorship capacity, bringing in dedicated mentors from DrupalEasy. We’re also adjusting our training focus as the Drupal CMS landscape evolves.

TDT [13]: How do you integrate mentorship into your Fellowship and internship programs?

George DeMet: Each intern is assigned a dedicated mentor for ongoing support, supplemented by peer mentorship from their project teams. Mentorship is customized based on each intern’s learning needs.

TDT [14]: In the long run, how do you envision programs like the Fellowship shaping the Drupal community and tech industry?

George DeMet: I hope we’ll see greater focus on meeting the needs of all Drupal users, not just the traditional developer base. Increasing diversity strengthens not just our community but our ability to innovate and grow.

Palantir.net’s Fellowship Program is a strong example of how organizations can create lasting change through deliberate, inclusive action. By investing in education, mentorship, and real-world experience, the program not only diversifies the Drupal talent pool but also strengthens the broader open-source community. As George DeMet emphasized, real innovation comes from welcoming new voices and perspectives. Through initiatives like the Fellowship, Palantir is helping to build a Drupal ecosystem—and a tech industry—that is more equitable, vibrant, and sustainable for years to come. Also read our story, "From Foot in the Door to Full-Time: The Human Impact of Palantir’s Drupal Fellowship Program," to learn more.