{"id":33522,"date":"2021-07-28T19:29:50","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T02:29:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/?p=33522"},"modified":"2021-10-15T23:45:30","modified_gmt":"2021-10-16T06:45:30","slug":"deep-dive-merit-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/deep-dive-merit-america\/","title":{"rendered":"How Merit America Can Help You Climb the Career Ladder without a College Degree"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For millions of working Americans, college isn\u2019t the solution. According to the U.S. Department of Education<\/a>, only one in 10 students from a low-income background earns a university degree by the time they\u2019re 25. Many of those that earn their degree face another problem – crippling student debt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet a college degree is still seen as the most direct path to the middle class. The average income for a person with a high school education is $29,000 annually, versus $51,000 for those with a bachelor\u2019s degree. Because of this, a bachelor\u2019s degree has been seen as a natural step after high school. But higher education comes at a high cost that most American\u2019s can\u2019t afford, preventing them from reaping the rewards of post-secondary education. And things have only gotten worse since the onset of the pandemic<\/a>, with low-wage workers being hit the hardest in the economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These striking trends fuel Merit America<\/a>, a nonprofit that helps working Americans carve a path to higher-paying jobs and resilient careers. For working adults making just enough to pay the bills, options are limited\u2014 they can\u2019t afford to take time off work, or pay tens of thousands of dollars in tuition. This is where Merit America comes in. Its career-focused programs are short (3 – 6 months), flexible (they work with the busy schedule of working adults), and built around industry-recognized professional certifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Merit America\u2019s mission is simple: create a world where anyone can advance their life based on merit, not money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Merit-Based Career Opportunity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Merit America is a nonprofit that serves working adults. Their programs are designed to prepare low-wage workers for in-demand careers by combining online learning with intensive professional coaching and peer support. Merit\u2019s programs are flexible, so learners won\u2019t have to leave their current jobs to complete them. All the learning is virtual, so students can complete the program anywhere, anytime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most importantly, Merit\u2019s program requires no up-front tuition; only learners who complete the program and secure a well-paid job are asked to participate in a \u201csuccess sharing agreement\u201d, paying $163 per month over two years so future learners can access the program. If you don\u2019t get a new job making at least $40,000, you owe nothing, and if you lose your new job (or your salary dips below $40,000), you stop paying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Merit America was started when the founders saw a gap in the market. There was a clear need for skill development programs that were flexible enough to be completed part-time and effective in helping low-wage workers to find a path to a skilled career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Infographic<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Right Learning Track for You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Merit America offers three career tracks: IT Support, Java Development, and Tech Sales.  These tracks were chosen after a robust analysis of labor market trends; they are fields with strong employer demand, high growth, and excellent pay, where learners can build a resilient, upwardly mobile career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

IT Support<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Duration: 13 weeks<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Java Development <\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Duration: 30 weeks<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data Analytics<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Duration: 14 weeks<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Infographic<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Five Steps to Success<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are five steps that Merit America students will go through, regardless of the career track they choose to pursue: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Apply to Merit America<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Merit America\u2019s application process is straightforward and accessible. Applicants fill out a short application, complete a recorded video interview, and join a live webinar with Merit America staff <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Merit America notes that ideal learners should be driven and passionate about their career prospects. The organization welcomes those who have a genuine connection to their chosen track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Build a Strong Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the first phase of the program, learners work closely with instructors to hone their career goals and better understand the Merit America program<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Immerse Yourself in the Program<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Next, learners complete their technical training in their chosen track, including courses led by technical leaders while practicing professional skills to ensure that they are prepared for their new careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Find Your Next Employment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once learners are finished with their technical training, Merit America helps them land a new job. Learners will apply to jobs each week, working with career coaches to hone their interview skills and resume. The placement team also connects learners with employer partners like Amazon, JP Morgan, Chase, and Infosys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Graduate and Join the Active Alumni Network <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Learners are always part of the bigger family: once they graduate, they are alumni for life. That means Merit America is always ready to extend support beyond their first job post-graduation. Alumni are welcome to reach out for additional resources when looking to change jobs, negotiate a raise, or build a strategy for future career moves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Success Sharing Payment Program<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To ensure money is not a barrier to anyone completing their programs, Merit America offers a \u201dSuccess Sharing Agreement\u201d. In this program, learners pay nothing until they land a job paying a minimum salary. For example, learners in their  IT track pay nothing unless they get a job paying $40,000 or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once graduates land a qualifying job, they begin repaying Merit America with monthly payments (e.g. $163 for 24 months for their IT track). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Merit America also has safety nets in place so students pay nothing if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n