NYC Digital Career Accelerator:

An 8 week program to build a portfolio and get hired in the digital industries

July 5 - August 31 @ idealist workspace
Ages 14+
Experential Discovery

Explore your ideal career in a bitesized way. Build multiple projects, get clear on your options.

Portfolio of Projects

Over 8 weeks you will have a portfolio full of projects that can get you hired.

Mentorship & Network

Understand how the industry works. Your teachers and mentors are industry professionals.

Apply to opportunities

Throughout the program, you'll be showing off your work to your dream workplace.

Build a portfolio in 8 weeks

Get equipped with the most in-demand skills and get ready to join the digital industries. Work on projects that excite you, meet friends who you can collaborate with and build a professional network that will support you for life. Welcome to the Future Career Accelerator - the launch pad for your ideas and career!

The Program
An all-day, in-person work community that takes you seriously.

Build a career in design, film, animation, games design, software development, UI/UX or any digital industry!
Structure and Dates

July 5th - August 31st,
Monday to Thursday from 10 am - 4 pm
(4pm-8pm optional if you want to continue building and socialising, we're not stopping you!)

Schedule
Premissionless apprentice
You will learn how to create opportunities for yourself

The truth is, many industry professionals don't care about your age or degree program - they simply want you to solve their problems, and they want proof that you can do so effectively.

Think a company could be doing a better job marketing, designing, or building their product?Don’t tell them, show them.

Together, we will build projects in your portfolio that continue to deliver value long after you finish building them.

Imagine two candidates show up for a job interview:

One just graduated from a good school and has a self-proclaimed “good work ethic.” (Despite never having had a job.)

The other submits a project that edits and publishes short form youtube content from their favorite podcaster's video highlights. They send these clips over to the YouTube creator explaining that there's an opportunity to create new business value.

Which application makes it easier to say "Yes, Thank You!"

This isn't going to work every time, but each time you try, you build a body of work, improving your skillset as a practitioner and adding to the growing library of proof that you have unique and valuable skills.

This proof is a tool for earning new business as a professional, but it's also a tool for building up a belief in your own skills that will serve you for the rest of your life.

Mentors
Pricing
Why Full Price?

If you can afford the $3000 tier, you’re not just investing in yourself; you’re contributing to our scholarship fund. This enables us to offer free and highly discounted positions to other future innovators who may not have the means to join otherwise. Your contribution could help us shape the builders of tomorrow.

FAQ

What kind of projects can I build?

Any project that you can build from your computer!The program is focused on digital industries and tools, with a special focus on software development, design, writing, and AI tools, as they are increasingly important to every other digital industry. These are also the fields in which we will have the most readily-available industry mentors.That being said, the program can support self-driven students in film, animation, game design, research, or any digital profession. The program is based around pairing students with mentors who can find them opportunities and craft a self-directed project management plan with them, with frequent demonstrations, talks, and collaborative projects so students learn leadership and confidence.

Who is eligible to participate in the program?

The program is open to self-directed learners aged 14 and above.

How are projects and opportunities accessed in the program?

The program focuses on building a portfolio of projects via the permissionless apprentice approach which can showcase your skills to potential employers. Participants will have the opportunity to send their projects to companies as a way to open doors and explore job opportunities. The emphasis is on demonstrating your capabilities through tangible projects rather than relying solely on academic degrees.

Why is there a full price option for the program?

The full price option allows individuals who can afford it to contribute to the scholarship fund. By choosing the full price tier, participants not only invest in themselves but also help support free or highly discounted positions for future innovators who may not have the financial means to join otherwise.

What if I can’t attend every session?

You will have the strongest portfolio, the tightest relationships with the community, and the best overall experience with the program if you attend every session.That being said, scheduling conflicts are inevitable. We will support you in benefiting from the program even if you can't attend every session. Additionally, we plan to offer optional unstructured time on select evenings, allowing you to continue working on projects and networking even outside the formal session hours.Please keep in mind that there are no refunds for missed sessions.

I have other questions!

Get in touch with us here