The Innovation Fellowship (IF)

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The 2023 Innovation Fellowship

September 2023 – September 2024

The Innovation Fellowship is a free 12-month job training program that prepares participants for the competitive tech industry. Tech industry roles provide well-paid and plentiful growth opportunities. Individuals who love to constantly learn new things, enjoy problem-solving, demonstrate curiosity, and enjoy working with others will find great success in tech.

The program is designed to support fellows in their development over the course of 12 months, though fellows in previous cohorts have successfully secured meaningful tech employment opportunities before completing the 12-month program. Participants may be eligible to receive a monthly work-study stipend for maintaining satisfactory academic standing, attending industry engagements, providing peer mentorship, and more.

Students will have the opportunity to prepare for multiple certifications including:

AWS Cert Logo
Google UX Cert Logo
Azure Cert Logo
Cybersecurity Cert Logo
Next Js Logo

Fees for courses and exams are subsidized by TKH.

Career support services

Our Employment Specialists will help you put your best foot forward as you apply for roles in the tech industry. During the final three months of the fellowship, TKH advises and supports fellows in securing certifications, paid internships, or full-time roles.

Individual student success support

Our Student Success team will connect you to resources to help you overcome challenges that get in the way of your studies.

Connections to industry professionals and tech events

Grow your network of tech professionals via mock interviews with corporate volunteers, attending hackathon events, and more. Volunteer tutors and mentors will be available to assist with homework and provide perspective on the industry.

Work-study Stipends

Fellows are eligible to receive a monthly base stipend for maintaining satisfactory academic standing. Fellows receive an additional incentive stipend for completing out-of-class activities like attending check-ins and tech events and offering peer mentorship/tutoring.

Learning Tracks

TKH offers four content area tracks for the Innovation Fellowship: Web Development, Data Science with Python, Cyber Security, and User Experience and User Interface Design. Through a mixture of weekly in-class instruction and out-of-class study and practice, fellows engage in project-based learning — both individually and in groups — to develop critical technical and employment skills.

Data Science with Python

Fellows will learn the full extent of the Python programming language, how to access, clean, and analyze web data, and how to work directly with databases using Python and SQL.
Program graduates are prepared to pursue entry-level positions as data analysts and software engineers with an emphasis on data, with the opportunity to earn $60,000 or more.

Web Development

Fellows will learn industry tools that power popular apps, from creating beautiful, fast, and responsive interfaces with Meta’s ReactJS to creating powerful APIs with the Express framework.
Program graduates are prepared to pursue entry-level positions as Front End Developers, Back End Developers, and/or Full Stack Developers with the opportunity to earn $60,000 or more.

Cyber Security and Networking

This track will prepare participants for entry-level jobs in IT, networking, and application security positions in both on-premise and cloud environments.  Fellows in this track can take various industry certifications aligned to the coursework, including AWS Cloud Practitioner.
Program graduates are prepared to pursue entry-level IT and network security positions with the opportunity to earn $60,000 or more.

User Experience Design (UX/UI)

Fellows will learn the fundamental skills of User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design with a project-oriented approach that will enable them to build digital products that meet the standards of today’s tech industry.
Program graduates are prepared to pursue entry-level roles as UX/UI Designers, User Researchers, Product Designers, and adjacent roles. The industry trends point toward opportunities that lead to annual incomes of $60,000 or more.

Innovation Fellow Candidate Profile

Successful candidates will be able to:

  • Commit to 16 hours per week for in-class instruction & 12-15 hours for non-classroom activities. The fellowship is designed to support work readiness and technical skill development over 12 months, but fellows in previous cohorts have secured employment opportunities earlier.
  • Demonstrate intermediate computer literacy skills, such as downloading and installing software. Programming or design experience is not required.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work independently and in groups to accomplish goals or tasks.
  • Demonstrate effective time management, self-advocacy, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Describe their motivation for participating and successfully completing the fellowship.

TKH encourages candidates with the following education and work experience to apply

  • Entry-level professionals,
  • Students with some or no college experience, or
  • Mid-career professionals interested in transitioning to a career in technology.
  • Candidates must meet age, location, income, and educational eligibility requirements.

The Application Process

Our applications are currently closed for the 2023-2024 fellowship year.
If you are interested in joining next year, please fill out an interest form below.

2024 Interest Form

LEADING COMPANIES HIRE OUR GRADUATES

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Software Engineer Apprentice at

Quiana Berry

Associate Product Manager at

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Software Engineer at

Diana Gaona

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Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the Innovation Fellowship:

  • Be a resident of New York State, Newark, Atlanta, or Los Angeles.

  • Be 18 of age or older.

  • Make less than $50,000 a year.

  • Possess basic computer literacy skills (typing, internet research, email, etc.)

  • Speak and understand (written and spoken) English.

  • Possess a high school diploma, GED, or High School Equivalency (HSE).

  • Authorized to work in the United States or current work visa.

  • Complete the entire recruitment process, pass included assessments, and complete and pass the prerequisite Pre-Training summer course.

It’s free. No cost to you!

No. The fellowship is aimed at serving people from diverse backgrounds with little to no post-secondary education and limited, foundational technical experience.

  • Pre-Training is a prerequisite for the Innovation Fellowship. Pre-Training aims to gauge your persistence and ability to engage in independent, self-paced learning of technical content. The course consists of self-guided modules that will build your baseline knowledge of the tech industry and specific skills and digital tools for the track you have applied for: Web Development, UX/UI Design, Data Science, or Cyber Security.

  • Your acceptance into a fall Innovation Fellowship course is dependent on completion and passing the Pre-Training course in the summer.

The fellowship is designed as a 12-month program, which includes nine months of technical and career instruction followed by assistance in securing tech employment, from internship to full-time job opportunities. Fellows in previous cohorts have secured career opportunities earlier than 12 months.

  • Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 5:30 - 9:30pm EST. 
  • Additional class times will be offered for fellows in Los Angeles during the evenings, exact schedule and tracks available TBD.
  • Classes typically include a mixture of demonstration, discussion, group exercises, and independent work time, as well as a short break. Additionally, fellows should expect to spend between 12-15 hours per week outside of class studying and working on assignments. 

Instruction will be provided virtually with supportive activities offered in-person including but not limited to tutoring, review sessions, industry engagements, and community building events.

Classes will be taught by experienced tech professionals with instructional experience, seasoned alumni, and guest speakers.

  • Fellows will need a computer and wi-fi access to successfully participate in coursework at home. 
  • Fellows enrolled in the Cyber Security Track will benefit from a computer setup that has the following specifications. PCs are recommended over Macs:
    • RAM: Minimum 8 GB (16 GB preferred).
    • Storage: Minimum 500 GB.
    • Processor: Intel i7 (or better).
    • Should have an SSD or SATA Drive.

As a fellow you may receive the following:

  • A laptop and Wi-Fi (on an as-needed basis) to use for the duration of the program.

  • Work-Study stipends.

  • Receive support obtaining a three-month paid internship during the last months of the fellowship.

  • Have the opportunity to participate in free certification and advanced software skill prep courses and take certification exams with the fees waived. Previous courses and certifications include Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Practitioner, Google UX Design Certificate, (ISC)²’s Certified in Cyber Security, Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals Exam, and an advanced NextJS course.

  • Receive a letter of recommendation to assist in their job search.

  • Receive a certificate of completion upon successfully graduating and completing the fellowship.

See the individual Data Science with Python, Web Development, UX/UI Design, and Cyber Security course descriptions above for more information.

Historically 75% of graduates land their first technology role after The Knowledge House while approximately 50% land a full-time role with an average salary of $80k within 12 months of completing the program.

As a Fellow you will receive the following:

  • Behavioral and technical interview preparation.

  • Resume and cover letter assistance.

  • Best practices on establishing a LinkedIn professional presence and a professional digital footprint.

  • Networking and communications skills training.

  • Tips and guidance on mastering the job search.

TKH's Alumni Network is a dynamic, one-of-a-kind community focused on advancing aspiring technologists' personal and professional growth. Being a part of the Alumni Network provides access to the following:

  • A growing, authentic group of young technologists with stories of resilience.

  • Professional networks and job opportunities within the tech sector.

  • Free access to co-working space & Wi-Fi at TKH HQ. 

  • Opportunities to remain connected to TKH staff for ongoing coaching and support. 

  • Access to free and low-cost social and professional development events and workshops.

Yes, you will need to provide one document from each category below prior to your interview:

  • Proof of Income:

    • 2022 Tax Returns.

    • Last 2 Pay Stubs.

    • Human Resources Administration* (HRA) letter. 

    • W2.

  • Proof of Residency:

    • State I.D.

    • U.S. Passport.

    • Two pieces of mail.

  • Proof of Education:

    • HS Diploma.

    • College/University Diploma.

    • College/University Transcript.

  • Proof to work in the U.S:

    • Passport.

    • Green Card (Permanent Resident Card).

  • Goal setting and course planning.
  • Student advocacy and support.
  • Referral to supportive services.
  • Time and stress management coaching.

For more information on becoming a fellow, or bringing our programs to you, contact us at info@theknowledgehouse.org.
If you are interested in more information on recruitment, contact us at recruitment@theknowledgehouse.org.

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