Activate Fellowship
Apply to join the Ganas Activate Fellowship!
We accept applications on a rolling basis, but currently we’re recruiting 20-30 fellows to join our ninth virtual cohort launching in Sept 2024
About The Activate Fellowship
Our programs act as a launchpad and accelerator for diverse, early-career professionals who attended a public charter school by offering them the opportunity to participate in a program aimed at building their career skills, growing their networks, and leading change in policy affecting access to high-quality education.
Strategically approach your career goals and activate your potential as an advocate
The Activate Fellowship is our 3-month entry-level program that serves early-career professionals in various fields looking for opportunities to define or grow their careers while lending their wisdom to drive change in their communities. Activate Fellows are mobilized to advocate for initiatives that promote equitable education systems.
Your unique experiences and perspectives as a charter school alum hold the key to unlocking greater, more equitable education systems. We’re calling on people from diverse backgrounds and a variety of professional fields to engage in important conversations on how we can better serve those following in your footsteps. After all, we all benefit when our education system improves.
As an Activate Fellow, you will…
Craft Your Story: Fellows complete a series of activities to unearth their values, illuminate their strengths, and articulate their personal narratives
Know and Be Known: We will build our community by giving fellows the opportunity to meet one another and share their stories
Map the System: We will take a deep dive into the history, policies, and systems that played a role in their individual education experiences
Identifying as an Advocate: Fellows will grow their identity as an advocate by uncovering opportunities to share their stories for impact
Amplify Your Voice: While developing the skills, tools, and network to find success and lead in their careers, fellows will complete a public action to support equitable education systems
However, we recognize that before we can ask you to lend some of your time and energy to advocacy, your personal and professional goals must be within reach. Hence, while you develop your power as an advocate, we will work with you to turn your greatest dreams into a reality.
As an Activate Fellow, you should expect to:
- Strengthen your professional brand, develop the critical skills to achieve your goals, and assume leadership positions in your community
- Build a strategic career plan whether you’re at the beginning of your career, looking to grow in your current industry, or exploring the possibility of pivoting to another career path
- Network with and receive one-on-one mentorship and coaching from business, political, and community leaders
- Gain access to the robust Ganas Network community of other young professionals, resources, and opportunities
- Add acceptance and participation in The Ganas Network Fellowship to your resume
We’re invested in your success!
Upon completion of our program, all fellows will receive a certificate and a $500 stipend.
Eligibility and what we expect from our Fellows
To apply for the fellowship, applicants must have attended a public charter school for any part of their K-12 education. We’re particularly interested in young leaders at the beginning of their careers in a plethora of fields to share their unique insights and drive systemic change!
Once accepted, to complete the fellowship, we expect fellows to:
- Actively engage in all Ganas Network workshops, sessions, and projects requiring 30 to 40 hours of your time over three months
- Develop, document, and share your success story to communicate the benefits of public charter schools
- Show up to sessions and submit all deliverables (feedback forms, projects, biography, etc.) on time
What to expect after the Fellowship
At The Ganas Network, we say “see you later” but never “goodbye.” Upon successful completion of the fellowship, fellows will join our alumni network.
As valuable members of The Ganas Network family, we will continue to act as a resource by sharing new opportunities, promoting you in our network, and doing anything we can to further your personal and professional goals.
The Ganas Network fellows will also lead the way for those that come behind them by mentoring other fellows, having the opportunity to advocate for public charter schools, and participating in other public actions to further the discussion on education policy.
We ask that all alumni participate in at least one public action (e.g., secure positions on public charter boards, publish strategically placed op-eds on the importance of charter schools, testify at public policy hearings at the district, city, state, and/or federal levels, meet with decision-makers on education policy, etc.) in the year following completion of the fellowship.