COOP'S tuition-free career accelerating fellowship matches peer cohorts of underemployed college grads with alumni coaches to support them in building the professional skills and networks they need to get their first good job after graduation.

Motivated grads meet nightly from Monday-Wednesday to learn technical skills, meet potential employers, and build community. Near-peer coaches lead each cohort, teaching the curriculum and serving as mentors and guides.

Our curriculum introduces fellows to the hard skills (e.g. SEO, SEM, Tableau, SQL) and soft skills (e.g., time management, communication) of each industry and provides guidance and support as they secure their good first job.

`KO-op (like cooperate, NOT like chicken coop)

COOP’s mission is to overcome underemployment for college graduates through digital skills training and peer connections. Since launching in 2014, COOP has served more than 8,000 individuals nationally. COOP alumni land upwardly mobile roles at more than double the rate of underemployed college graduates nationwide.

Candidates must meet all of the criteria below:

1. You are a first-generation or low income college graduate.

2. You’ve earned your bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution between August 12, 2016 and August 12, 2026.

3. You are unemployed (and do not have significant full-time, professional work experience) or underemployed. One or more of the following applies to you:

   • you earn less than $50,000 per year

   • you are working in a position that does not require a college degree

   • you are working less than 35 hours a week

4. You are a U.S. citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S. without restriction (ie. permanent resident, employment authorization, DACA recipient).

   Unfortunately, international students with work authorization via OPT, STEM OPT, or F-1, are not eligible for COOP at this time.

5. You must be at least 21 years of age by August 12, 2026.

6. You must be available three evenings per week (M-W) from August 12, 2026-December 2, 2026.

7. You must live within one of our region-specific states: NY, NJ, CT, IL, and CA and live within two hours commuting distance of the city you are applying for.

Because COOP serves bachelor's degree holders struggling with underemployment and unemployment, those in a role making over $60k/year are not eligible for COOP.

This small group of peers, plus your captains and program manager, make up your COOP network. They provide you with direct social capital.

At COOP we believe your network plus your hard work equals your net worth.

Underemployment is a measure of the total number of people in an economy who are unwillingly working in low-skill and low-paying jobs or only part-time because they cannot get full-time jobs that use their skills.

If you (or a sibling) are the first person in your family to earn a Bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution, you are considered a first generation college graduate.

You are still considered a first generation college graduate if your parent(s) earned an Associates degree, completed some college but didn’t finish, or completed a certificate or other technical training program.

You are also still considered a first generation college graduate if your parent(s) received a Bachelor’s degree in a country outside of the U.S.

If you have questions about whether you qualify as a first generation college graduate, please email recruiting@coopcareers.org.

You meet financial aid eligibility if you qualified for public financial aid during most, or all of, college (examples include federal Pell Grants and public state grants like Cal Grant, TAP/SEEK, MAP, or FSAG).

If you have questions about whether you qualify, please email recruiting@coopcareers.org.

Just like our curriculum, we're focused on three things:

Head: You love to learn and you’re excited to pursue a career in digital marketing, data analytics, or financial services.

Heart: You believe in community and the power of peer relationships.

Hustle: You’re ready to work hard and take control of your career.

Take COOP’s track match quiz to learn which of our tracks is right for you and your future career: COOP Track Quiz.

We also encourage you to learn a little more about each track and possible career pathways:

Digital Marketing

Data Analytics

Financial Services

Here is our application process:

1. Complete the Interest Form above

2. Attend an Information Session to get an invitation to apply

3. Complete your application

4. Upload eligibility documents

5. Attend a Group Interview

Decisions are sent out on a rolling basis.

Our fall 2026 fellowship is currently accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Some tracks fill quickly, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible!

COOP’s Early Action deadline for fall 2026 is May 29, 2026. 

COOP’s Priority Deadline for fall 2026 is July 17, 2026.

Our spring fellowship is currently underway and fall 2026 is right around the corner.

Submit an interest form today.

August 12, 2026-December 2, 2026

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

90% attendance required

Sadly, we've learned there's no such thing as a guaranteed job. Trust us—we wish there were. We can't promise any job offer or paid internship, but we are totally committed to doing everything we can to accelerate your career. We are a career and professional development fellowship program, rather than a job placement program. Think of us as a multiplier of your effort. Whatever you put in, we'll multiply the value with digital skills and peer connections.

But remember: Anything times zero is zero.

COOP currently serves the metro areas of New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area.

While most fellowship content is delivered virtually through Zoom, all COOP fellows meet in person once a month to network and build community. 

Please only apply to the COOP city and program track that is closest to the current city you reside in.

Please note: You must live within one of our region-specific states: NY, NJ, CT, IL, and CA and live within 2 hours’ commuting distance of the city you are applying for (NYC, Bay Area, Los Angeles, Chicago).

Thanks to individual donors, foundation and corporate funders, the COOP Careers Fellowship is 100% free for all participants. In return, we ask that all alumni pay-it-forward as coaches, mentors, advocates, and sponsors.

No, this is an unpaid learning experience.

In addition to increasing your social capital by joining our 8,500 strong alumni network, you’ll also be eligible for, but not limited to, the following benefits after completing COOP:

1. Job search support

2. Professional development

3. Social mixers and events

4. Alumni communications

No, you would not be eligible for the COOP fellowship program. COOP is focused on overcoming underemployment for recent college graduates and supporting them in securing full-time, entry level roles upon program completion.

We define a recent graduate as someone who has graduated within 10 years of applying to COOP.

Thank you for finding us and for your interest! COOP is focused on overcoming underemployment for recent college graduates and supporting them in securing full-time, entry-level roles upon program completion.

If you meet eligibility requirements and are currently earning or have earned a Master’s degree, we welcome you to apply!

However, we would like to make note that fellows can expect to commit hours of additional work weekly outside of fellowship hours on their own time. Please ensure this will not interfere with your Masters program.

Currently, we are strictly accepting college graduates. However, we’re not going anywhere! COOP is growing and new cohorts start every semester. We encourage you to fill out an interest form once you have graduated.

Please note: if you will earn your bachelor’s degree before August 12, 2026 you’re welcome to submit your application for consideration.

There is no maximum age to participate in the COOP fellowship.

If you have graduated from college within the last 10 years and meet the other eligibility requirements, you are encouraged to apply.