What is the Adobe Digital Academy?

The Adobe Digital Academy is a two-part programme based in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City. We are in the process of updating how our programme geographies will evolve given the uncertainty around COVID and remote work.

Part 1 involves immersive training with our exceptional partner, General Assembly. Digital Academy scholarships provide students with user experience design, data science or software engineering training through General Assembly (GA). GA provides ongoing feedback on student performance, as Part 2 of the programme depends on successful completion of Part 1.

Part 2 involves a technical apprenticeship with our engineering or design teams. Depending on feedback from General Assembly, Digital Academy students are eligible to be considered for a three-month apprenticeship programme with a technical team at Adobe. They get hands-on job experience, ongoing feedback, mentorship and peer support — and high performers have the opportunity to be hired full-time.

What are the goals of the Adobe Digital Academy?

As part of our commitment to fostering a diverse workforce, the Adobe Digital Academy offers nontraditional candidates the education and — contingent upon technical performance — the experience they need to launch successful careers in user experience design, data science or software engineering.

The programme is rooted in the growth mindset — the concept that people can increase their neural growth by taking actions such as using good strategies, asking questions and practicing.

What’s the typical background of someone in the Adobe Digital Academy?

All of our scholarship recipients come from non-traditional backgrounds and are career switchers, meaning they are not currently enrolled in a degree programme. Technical exposure prior to the scholarship varies. Some candidates are self-taught and some have experience in IT or non-US technical degree programmes.

Individuals are selected based on the following qualities:

• Dedication to learning coding, data science or design (depending on the programme)
• Growth mindset
• Grit (i.e., the ability to overcome challenges)
• Communication skills
• Overall potential for success, including alignment with Adobe’s core values

Who can participate?

The Adobe Digital Academy is designed for high-potential individuals from underrepresented backgrounds who don’t otherwise have access to funding for education. Successful participants typically have at least 2-4 years of prior career success and come from a wide-range of fields such as education, business, art and journalism.

How do I apply?

Work directly with a local education partner to understand the application process and the required pre-work for their bootcamp programme. You can find more information by visiting the General Assembly website.

Qualified candidates will go on to a screening round with the Adobe team and Adobe will let them know if they’ve been accepted by mid December.

When can I apply?

Applications will be available 1 September 2020 and completed applications will be due on 13 November 2020. The start date for the education phase will be in January, 2021. 

• 1 September 2020 – Applications open.
• 6 November 2020 – Deadline to be interviewed by the General Assembly Admissions team.
• 13 November 2020 – Application process officially closes and all applicants must submit their written application.

What is the flow of the application process

1. Phone Interview
2. Take home interview task
3. Virtual Zoom interview
4. GA acceptance pending interview
5. Written Adobe application
6. Decision

May I apply to more than one location?

Yes, although we encourage you to target your efforts where you’re already living. The programme is intensive, so it’s helpful to have support from friends and family.

I’ve already completed a bootcamp. May I apply directly for the apprenticeship?

At present, candidates are required to receive the scholarship with an existing Adobe Digital Academy education partner in order to be eligible for the apprenticeship.

How do I succeed in the bootcamp?

We recommend that you do four things:

1. Take advantage of all the resources provided, including mentors and teachers.
2. Be proactive and stay on top of your work.
3. Work with other students in the class.
4. Make use of external practice websites.

Are programme participants compensated?

Yes—in the following ways:

• During the bootcamp, scholarship recipients receive a monthly living stipend ranging from $1,400–$2,000 based on location.
• During the apprenticeship, candidates are compensated at a competitive hourly rate.
• Apprentices are also offered a relocation package to support the transition from bootcamp to apprenticeship

Can this program be part-time?

This programme is a full-time, immersive programme for the duration of both the bootcamp and the apprenticeship.

During the bootcamp, you’ll be required to be in class from 9:00am-5:00pm every weekday. Outside of class, you’ll have projects and assignments to complete that can take up to another six hours per day. We highly recommend that you avoid having any additional work or school commitments during this time so you’ll have the highest chance of success.

If you’re offered an apprenticeship, the length ranges from three to six or more months, depending on available full-time opportunities and your performance. Eight-hour workdays are typical, but your manager will work with you to set your specific hours.

What can I expect once I’ve been accepted?

The education partner will get in touch to let you know about the next steps for enrolment and coursework.

What are the technical prerequisites?

We don’t require any particular technical experience. However, if you have time before the bootcamp begins, it’s a great idea to start looking at some basic web development information.

Will I need a laptop?

Once you’ve been accepted into the programme, please let your education partner know if you don’t have a laptop.

Is an apprenticeship with Adobe guaranteed?

Apprenticeship offers depend on your performance in the bootcamp. While we can’t guarantee that you’ll get an apprenticeship, we’ll evaluate your work carefully and ask for feedback from your teachers and mentors.

May I choose which technical team I get to join for my apprenticeship?

While we’ll take requests into consideration, placement is based on available space and which managers are hiring.

How do I succeed in the apprenticeship?

We recommend the following:

• Ask your manager and mentors questions.
• Network and build professional relationships.
• Ask for feedback and make a concrete plan to integrate the feedback.
• Complete every task to the best of your ability.
• Be proactive.

What types of benefits do apprentices receive?

Apprentices receive the same benefits as our university interns. They include holiday pay, employee discounts, medical benefits, free lunch and commuter benefits like a commuter card, Caltrain GOpass and shuttle services. For more information, please see our benefits page.

What types of support do apprentices receive while at Adobe?

We offer the following types of support:

• A technical mentor on your team who can answer your technical questions.
• A Digital Academy alumni mentor who’s currently working full-time at Adobe on another team and who can help you navigate logistics, challenges and continued learning opportunities.
• A business mentor from one of Adobe’s Employee Networks — including the Black Employee Network, Hispanic/LatinX Network, Women at Adobe and Proud at Adobe — who can help you to develop a sense of community and involvement.
• Additional support, including monthly check-ins with the Digital Academy programme manager for feedback on the overall experience and opportunities for growth.
• Cohort support via Slack and in-person lunches with the current group of Digital Academy participants.
• Growth mindset materials that can help you to approach your time at Adobe as another opportunity for continued learning and growth.

What happens after the apprenticeship?

The goal of the Adobe Digital Academy is for all participants to be job-ready once they’ve completed the education programme and apprenticeship. Ideally, candidates go on to full-time, entry-level roles at Adobe. Since launching in 2016, we’ve had a 50% full-time hire rate.

When we’re unable to offer a full-time role, we encourage candidates to connect with the networks they’ve built during their internship and the General Assembly Outcomes programme. Candidates often go on to entry-level roles at other tech companies and start-ups or they choose to continue their education.