COOP’s mission is to help first-gen college graduates overcome underemployment through digital skills and peer connections. We offer a fully funded fellowship with three flagship tracks: Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, and Financial Services. Since 2014, we’ve launched 400+ cohorts, welcoming more than 5,000 alumni into our network.
Our unique career accelerator fellowship brings together peer cohorts of 16 motivated, underemployed grads who meet nightly for 16 weeks (200 hours) to learn technical skills, build community, and jumpstart their careers. Three out of four alumni overcome underemployment within a year, earning an average of $50,000 per year and almost $75,000 after five years.
Each cohort is led by a team captains—near-peer program alumni who serve as coaches, mentors, and guides on top of busy day jobs at local ad agencies and tech companies. In parallel, COOP helps these same employers meet, interview, and hire diverse candidates.
Our fall 2024 cohort will be held from August 15 - December 5, 2024 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursdays. (NOTE: Chicago digital marketing meets from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.) Virtual and hybrid options are available.
INTERESTED? Complete an Interest Form today: https://www.tfaforms.com/4975483
COOP’s three pillars that guide our program are Head, Heart, and Hustle. Each pillar has two corresponding core values:
Head: Purpose and curiosity
Heart: Community and empathy
Hustle: Resourcefulness and optimism
Hear from our Alumni:
Digital Marketing: "Coming from an Anthropological mindset, this unknown digital industry appeared confusing and intimidating at first. It wasn't until I had joined COOP that I learned that Digital Marketing offered so much more through many different facets (Social, Search, Programmatic, Analytics, etc). Ironically, Digital Marketing continues to teach me the importance of building strong digital relationships, storytelling, diversity, and authenticity as they are the true drivers of success.” Camille Maron, Paid Search Strategist
Data Analytics: "Coming into COOP, I knew I was willing to do whatever it took to reach my career goals but being a first-gen college student, I did not know what that entailed. COOP provided me with the direction and resources necessary to launch my data analytics career. With the uncertainty during the pandemic, I knew I could rely on the COOP community to support me through such a difficult time. I am incredibly grateful to have my cohort, captains, and COOP’s vast network, which helped me get where I am today.” Jonathan Oliveros, Decision Science Analyst
