Kavir Kaycee | Product Manager, Startup Advisor, Writer

So you’ve got yourself into a cohort program and wondering how to make the most use of it. Cohort programs have been all the rage in the ed-tech space in the last few years.

“Content is no longer king, cohorts are.”

Online courses have hilariously low engagement rates, just 3-6% completion rates. That means a lot of people are paying for education, but they aren’t utilizing it. An online course, which is more self-directed, self-paced, learning through videos and usually limited or no community.

A cohort-based course pr program (CBC) on the other hand, combines elements of education, community, accountability to create the perfect blend of education that improves learning and tangible outcomes.

I know a thing or two about cohort programs as I’ve been on both sides — as a participant in the On Deck No-code fellowship program and leading TPF’s No-code cohort program as the Program Director. Here’s what I learnt and can recommend to others joining such programs:

Be Intentional

Be intentional about what you want to take out of such a program and list down your goals. You should plan out your activities and divide them into interacting with the community, attending sessions/watching recordings and building.

It's very easy to overthink, overresearch, and not build until too late. The benefit about no-code is that you can build something really quick and test with users.

Connect with others

Add specific points in your intro about what you can help with and what you need help with

Connect with others in 1:1 calls

Attend the live sessions and ask questions when you can

Be active in the Zoom chat

Even if you're an introvert — you can use text channels on Discord to put yourself out there

Give more than you receive

The more you help, the more you receive. If you're known as a giver, when you ask for help, there will be a lot of people willing to help you.

It helps to be known for something specific - that way all requests and opportunities come to you first. For e.g. Ming-ya from TPFNC1 was known for her design skills, Aswin was known as someone who worked at Angel List

Build in Public

Ask for help, offer help

The more active you are on Discord, Twitter — the more you will attract opportunities. Combine that with being known for something specific, and you’ve got a winning combination. Example Srijith from Cohort 1 was able to get an internship at a web3 startup based on putting himself out there

Key Takeaway

More you put in, the more you can get out it. You should think of the value of cohort programs as a combination of skill learning as well as being part of a community.

Follow me on Twitter @kavirkaycee

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