2021 ALUMNI FELLOWSHIPS
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Visit us January 2022 for alumni fellowship applications.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Tech Flex Leaders (TFL) Program is an immersive out-of-school time program for juniors and seniors enrolled in a New York City or Los Angeles high school. This program engages students interested in technology through:
  • Weekly technical training sessions taught by industry experts
  • Intersectional professional development sessions designed to prepare students to confidently pursue degrees and careers in technology
  • Career days and mentorship opportunities with representatives from leading technology companies 

During the first semester, students will learn how to code through web development, mastering HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap.  The semester will culminate in a Demo Day competition where top teams from all cohorts will present their final web projects to a panel of judges. In the second semester, students will choose a tech track to pursue (advanced web development, UX design, digital marketing, data science), gaining an additional technology skillset they can leverage when pursuing future tech opportunities.

Each technical session takes place via Zoom from 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM.  Optional meet-and-greets and mandatory Demo Days and Graduations will be held in-person. 

Keep reading to learn more about the program timeline and benefits of participation! 

To be eligible to apply, you must:

NOTE: AOT prioritizes candidates who:
  • Self-identify as African American / Black
  • Self-identify as Hispanic / Latinx
  • Self-identify as females and/or girls
  • Self-identify as gender non-conforming and/or non-binary and/or agender
  • Self-identify as LGBTQIA+ 

2021 - 2022 PROGRAM TIMELINE

FALL SEMESTER

Student Orientation
Week of September 13th
Parent Orientation (Optional)
Thursday, September 16th
Technical Sessions (Virtual)
Week of September 20th - Week of November 29th
Demo Day Competition (In-person)
Thursday, December 9th
​Professional Development Week (Virtual)
Week of December 13th

SPRING SEMESTER

Technical Sessions (Virtual)
Week of January 10th - Week of May 16th
Professional Development Week (Virtual)
Week of February 28th
Graduation (In-person)
Thursday, May 26th

*Optional in-person meet-and-greets will be scheduled throughout the Fall and Spring semesters.

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION

Students who have participated in Tech Flex Leaders have benefited greatly from the program. Benefits to students include: 
  • ​An opportunity to enhance their technology and digital skills 
  • An opportunity to connect with technology professionals 
  • A platform to build a number of individual and group projects 
  • A chance to work with students from different high schools​​
  • Access to AOT's college / university partnerships 
  • ​Access to other opportunities in the AOT network of support
  • A $1000 stipend for completion of the program
Upon graduation, students will be eligible for paid internships and job opportunities through the AOT employer partner network and through our own programs.

SEE WHAT ALUMNI HAVE TO SAY:

APPLY NOW

  1. Interested students must fill out an application by Sunday, September 5, 2021 at 11:59 PM PST.  Be sure to choose the correct location! 
  2. Applications will be reviewed by members of the AOT team.
  3. Selected students will be required to submit a confirmation form to reserve their spot in the program. 
  4. Selected students' parents / guardians will be required to submit a parent / guardian consent form to participate in the program.  Parents / guardians will be invited to an optional virtual orientation on Thursday, September 16th.
  5. Students will be required to attend a mandatory virtual orientation the week of September 13th. 
  6. Technical sessions will kick off the week of September 20th.
Questions? Reach out to programs@americaontech.org.