About the Program
The Coro™ Fellows Program in Public Affairs is an intensive, nine-month, full-time program that combines exposure to nonprofit, government, business, labor, and electoral politics with rigorous, hands-on training.
The program utilizes experiential learning, interviews with private, public, and non-profit decision-makers, and training in critical thinking, communication, and project management.
The Fellows Program has four major components.
Field Placements: Over the course of the program, Fellows complete projects in each sector (business, labor union, government, non-profit/philanthropic, and political campaign). Fellows also carry out a group project and an individual project.
Weekly Seminars: Seminars are held each week for Fellows to reflect on the work and learning at each of their field placements and to provide the Fellows with training to support their effectiveness when working individually and as a group.
Group Interviews: Fellows have the opportunity to conduct group interviews with influential men and women throughout the public affairs arena, giving Fellows rare first-hand exposure to leadership from diverse sectors.
Focus Weeks: Fellows explore a variety of civic issues and their role in our democratic system through site visits, assignments, interviews with individuals of different--and often conflicting--viewpoints.
Time Commitment: The Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs is a rigorous and intense, full-time training program. The program lasts nine months, from September through May. The average weekly time commitment is estimated at 60 hours, although this can vary greatly depending on specific projects in which the Fellows are involved. Fellows are not permitted to obtain employment outside of Coro while participating in the program.
Tuition: Tuition waivers and payment schedules vary between Coro centers. Nationally, there is a tuition of $3,500, of which a partial deposit is due upon acceptance into the program. While the program is unpaid, Coro seeks to be as supportive as possible to enable participation in the program. Need-based stipends are available at all Coro centers. It is often noted by alumni that the exposure, experience, and training gained from the program is a significant investment into one's own professional development.
How to Apply
- Complete the application
- Required materials:
- Online pre-application form
- Essays (3)
- Resume
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation (3)
- Signed Declaration on Applying
- $75 application fee
- Deadline to apply: Applications are now closed for the 2012-13 year.
Organizations Seeking to Host a Fellow
Is there a project or initiative at your organization that would benefit from the full-time effort of a Fellow? Do you know of a particular organization or initiative that would provide a valuable learning experience for a Fellow?
We seek to provide meaningful projects that produce value for your organization and learning for Fellows. We are currently accepting proposals for projects in business, government, organized labor, electoral politics, and nonprofit sectors. Fellows also conduct Group Projects, which engage 3-6 Fellows to complete a short-term, high-impact project and can be in any sector (public or private).
To find out more about hosting a Fellow, please contact Keith Clark at 314-622-1250 x 103 or KeithC@focus-stl.org.