The Aha! Fall 2021 Fellowship Program: Apply Now

Each of us is capable of contributing to a more equitable society. I believe that one way to do that is to share knowledge that can help others achieve and grow. This is why we launched the Aha! Fellowship — to provide training and create more opportunity in tech. The program is designed to help people from historically underrepresented groups gain key skills to be hired into software companies.

Since we launched the program last year, we have welcomed 20 people in two cohorts. Most have since gone on to accept full-time roles in software companies. Due to the success of the program we are expanding the number of slots for this upcoming session.

I am thrilled to announce that we are now accepting applications for the next Aha! Fellowship — which will begin September 20, 2021.

Applications are open now through August 27, 2021. The eight-week program provides in-depth training in entrepreneurship, product management, and customer success. It is meant to be an immersive learning experience. This is why all fellows are awarded a $4,200 monthly stipend — so folks can devote their full attention to growing their skills and making connections. And since the Aha! team is entirely remote, fellows can participate from anywhere in the U.S.

Here is how some of our past participants have described their experiences:

• "The Aha! Fellowship is a unique training offering that provides an inside line of sight into product management, customer success and entrepreneurship at a SaaS company that actually lives the values they preach." — Leah Miller

• "I have gained confidence, clarity, and power over the last eight weeks. I truly feel that I was part of something special." — Nate Medina

• "I’ve taken one giant step forward in my product management career and I’ve accepted a PM internship in the industry I’ve always wanted to work in as a result of this program." — Junaid Chisty

Let me share a bit more about how the fellowship program came to be. We originally announced it last summer as a new pillar of Aha! Cares, which encompasses our philanthropic efforts. Aha! Cares included three areas of giving — food, safety, and shelter. But we realized it was missing a critical fourth pillar — opportunity. While we already offered product management training through Aha! Academy, we knew we could do more to make a real impact.

Aha! believes that we all play a role in increasing the diversity of people in software.

Every aspect of the program is designed for preparedness for a career in software — by building and advancing strategy and product skillsets. Our ultimate goal is to create more opportunity for people from historically underrepresented racial, ethnic, and disadvantaged groups.

We are committed to growing the program. If you are interested in learning more about product management and growing your professional skills, I encourage you to apply today. (And if you are not eligible, please consider sharing this with your network.)

I am excited to welcome the fall 2021 class of fellows and introduce them to you here soon.