Program Philosophy
COOP was founded in 2014 to address underemployment among first-generation college graduates from low-income backgrounds, who graduate at high rates but are nearly twice as likely to be underemployed as their continuing-gen peers. COOP's model pairs free, peer-led training in digital skills with tight-knit cohorts of 16 fellows and a lifelong professional network of alumni captains, hiring managers, and employer partners — turning college diplomas into living-wage careers through community, not credentials.
Started in 2014
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First-gen college grads launching a career in data analytics
~15–20 hours per week. Live sessions held in the evenings (typically weeknights ~6:30–9:30 pm local time) and on weekends, plus independent project work between sessions. Additional in-person day once a month. Designed so fellows can keep a day job while in the fellowship.
Technical skills (SQL, Excel, Tableau, dashboards), employer intros, lifelong COOP alumni network
Cost & Outcomes
This program is 100% free for all admitted fellows. No tuition, no repayment, no hidden costs.
Who This Program is Built For
This program was specifically designed with these communities in mind. If you see yourself, you belong here.
What Sets This Program Apart
100% free, cohort-based fellowship designed for underemployed, first-generation college graduates from low-income backgrounds
Peer-led model: cohorts of ~16 fellows are taught by COOP alumni ("captains") who recently broke into the field themselves
Lifetime alumni network with ongoing access to job leads, hiring manager intros, and peer support
Direct employer partnerships with companies actively hiring COOP grads
Hands-on, project-based curriculum tied to real roles in the track
High-touch career services: resume, LinkedIn, mock interviews, salary negotiation coaching
Curriculum centers SQL, Excel, Tableau, and data storytelling — the stack most entry-level analyst roles ask for
Day in the Life
- Evening live Zoom session (typically 6:30–9:30 PM) led by an alumni captain
- Cohort of ~16 fellows working through SQL, Excel, or Tableau modules
- Hands-on data exercises and dashboard-building in breakouts
- Guest sessions from analysts at COOP employer partners
- Independent capstone/portfolio work between sessions
- Weekly check-ins with cohort captain
Cohorts are led by COOP alumni "captains" — recent grads now working in the field — supported by full-time COOP program staff and industry volunteers from partner employers.
Soft and technical skills you'll gain by program completion.
Highs & Lows
Balancing the intensity of evening and weekend sessions on top of a day job for 16 weeks; pushing through the discomfort of networking and self-advocacy as a first-generation professional; staying committed through the long job-search arc after graduation.
Fellows consistently say the cohort itself — a tight-knit community of peers who share their background — is the most meaningful part, alongside the confidence boost from landing a first career-track role and the lifelong COOP alumni network.
Data Analyst → Senior Data Analyst → Analytics Manager / Data Scientist → Director of Analytics within 5–10 years; specialty paths include Business Intelligence, product analytics, or data engineering.
Employment Support
Resume and LinkedIn optimization
Mock interview practice
Salary negotiation coaching
1:1 career coaching
Direct introductions to hiring managers at COOP employer partners
Alumni network referrals
Ongoing job-search support after graduation
Cohort accountability and peer job-leads
Hear From the Program
Cohort 117
COOP made me feel confident in my ability to talk about myself and my experiences; it made me feel confident in talking about my technical skills and knowledge; it also helped me become bold, audacious, and ambitious. Apart from the technical and soft skills COOP instilled in me, what I valued the most about COOP is something else - community. COOP allowed me to meet a group of very supportive, compassionate and uplifting friends within my cohort.
How It Works
Submit an interest form with basic background info, school, and track of interest.
Attend an information session virtually.
If interested, an application link is sent to complete short-answer questions regarding eligibility and motivation and to submit eligibility docs.
Schedule virtual interview with COOP recruiting team.
Decision and offer to join a specific cohort and track in the next starting season (Fall or Spring).
Onboarding, orientation, and cohort kickoff — fellowship begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to contact us.Nothing. The fellowship is 100% free for accepted fellows.
First-generation college graduates from low-income backgrounds who are underemployed (not yet in a career-track role). You must have a bachelor's degree (or be graduating in the current season) and live in or near a COOP city.
~16 weeks, evenings and weekends — roughly 15–20 hours per week of live sessions plus independent work, designed so fellows can keep a day job while training.
Most live sessions are remote, with in-person events for community building, employer visits, and graduation in the cities COOP serves.
No. COOP is free and there is no income share agreement or deferred tuition.