Put Your Skills to Work

Career Forward Fellowships

Google Career Certificate earners have already gained industry-recognized skills and are ready to take the next step in their next career. A Career Forward Fellowship provides certificate earners an opportunity to put those skills to work while building on-the-job experience.

Overview
This 12-week internship provides professional training and hands-on experience at a participating host company. It is available to veterans, transitioning service members within one year of separating from active duty, military spouses, and military caregivers. Hiring Our Heroes is an approved DoD SkillBridge provider.
woman remote working on her laptop
Matching with a Host Company
Career Forward graduates who are accepted for a fellowship are carefully matched with participating companies. This match is made based on the specific skills of the candidate and the preferences of both parties. Once paired with a host company, a candidate undergoes exclusive on-the-job training, gaining firsthand experience. This real-world experience is augmented by weekly educational sessions for the cohort, held in a virtual setting.

Applying for a Career Forward Fellowship

Career Forward Fellowship applications are provided to certificate earners by the Career Forward learner program managers. Please email HOHCareerForward@USChamber.com to request an application. To learn more about earning a Google Career Certificate through Career Forward, visit Career Forward.

Cohorts and More
Apply for a specific cohort or any time in between. Applications accepted throughout the year with new opportunities available each month. Resumes of available candidates will be released to host companies on a monthly basis or upon request to allow for maximum flexibility.
COHORT 1 Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis
January - March
COHORT 2 Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis
May - July
COHORT 3 Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis
September - November
Program Schedule
Gain Experience and Training

Throughout the 12-week fellowship, fellows spend four days per week with their host companies and one day in professional development huddles.

Career Forward man smiling at a desk near his computer
Eligibility
Requirements

The Career Forward Fellowship is open to transitioning service members within one year of separating from active duty, veterans, military spouses, and military caregivers who have completed a Google Career Certificate through the Career Forward program.

Transitioning service member speaks with a potential employer
Program Locations
Find Your Opportunity

Though Career Forward internships will concentrate on remote opportunities, work location will be dependent on the needs of the companies and could be fully remote, in-person, or hybrid. Whether the internship is remote, in-person, or hybrid, all participants must reside within the United States. 

woman remote working on her laptop
Frequently Asked Questions
Once your application is received, your Career Connector will contact you at the email address you provided for Career Forward. The Career Connector will ensure your application is complete and connect you with a Fellowship Program Manager. If you are not contacted within two weeks of submitting your application, please check your spam folder and email HOHCareerForward@uschamber.com.
  1. Apply – Once you apply, your Career Connector will review your application and reach out to you with additional information, including next steps.
  2. Hiring Our Heroes Interview - Once all application requirements are met, an initial interview will be scheduled with a Fellowship Program Manager.
  3. Resume Release - If you are successful in the interview process, you’ll be included in a resume release to our participating host companies.
  4. Host Company Interviews - Host companies will contact candidates directly to schedule interviews. Not all candidates will receive interview requests from host companies.
  5. Matching Process - Fellowship candidates are carefully matched with participating companies based on the specific skills of the candidate and the preferences of both parties.
Once matched with a host company, candidates undergo exclusive on-the-job training at their host company, gaining firsthand experience in the private sector. This real-world experience is augmented by weekly educational sessions for the cohort, held in a virtual setting.

Yes, Career Forward can be used for SkillBridge. There are two options for transitioning service members who would like to use SkillBridge for a Career Forward Fellowship:

  1. Internship-based SkillBridge
    This is for transitioning service members who have completed a Google Career Certificate (GCC) through the Career Forward program. This opportunity provides hands-on experience in the civilian workforce and prepares candidates for a smooth transition into meaningful civilian careers. Because transitioning service members need to complete a GCC through Career Forward first, we recommend having 10-12 months of active-duty service left when beginning this option.
  2. Skill-based SkillBridge
    This is referred to as the Career Forward Training Track. Through this option, transitioning service members earn a Google Career Certificate to learn new skills while also participating in professional development to assist with a smooth transition to the civilian sector.

Timeline: Both SkillBridge options are 40 hours per week for 12 weeks and active-duty service members must be within 180 days of transitioning out of the military. Also, we recommend that you apply well in advance. Contact your transition office to begin the SkillBridge process as soon as possible.

In addition, HOH has other fellowship programs that can be used for SkillBridge. Please research which option is best for you. Keep in mind that transitioning service members are eligible for only one SkillBridge internship during their transition period due to guidelines from the Department of Defense.

Learn more about SkillBridge/Career Skills, DOD Instruction 1322.29.
There are three options for active-duty service members who are not placed with a host company. You may transfer to the Career Forward Training Track which is another SkillBridge opportunity through Hiring Our Heroes, set up your own internship with a company, or choose a SkillBridge program outside of Hiring Our Heroes. Please check in with your SkillBridge POC to ensure your timeline allows for an internship.
A fellow who demonstrates progress and proves to be a good fit for their host company will have the opportunity to interview for an open position. Fellows will also be able to network with other companies within the fellowship program and interviews may be offered, given the proven track record of a fellow’s success.
The educational component of the program provides professional development training for fellows in various skillsets desired by employers, such as project management, influencing without authority, and strategic communications. This specific coursework strengthens their professional knowledge, giving fellows an edge in the civilian job market. At the conclusion of each week, the HOH Fellows Program hosts a “Friday Huddle” featuring senior-level guest speakers. This engagement allows fellows the opportunity to make meaningful connections with leaders in the private sector, while also learning from corporate experts in key positions.
The 12-week program is held for an 8-hour workday Monday through Friday. Fellows attend an initial week of orientation and corporate training followed by 11 weeks of on-the-job training with their matched host company. Corporate training takes place Monday through Thursday with a day of mandatory virtual classroom instruction every Friday.
Our Fellows Programs have hundreds of participating companies, including small, medium, and large businesses. Participating employers and companies vary depending on location and remote opportunities.
We encourage applicants to network throughout the Career Forward process which can lead to internship opportunities. Contact the Career Forward team at HOHCareerForward@uschamber.com if you have an internship lead.
No, there is no cost associated with program participation for job seekers or employers thanks to the generous support from Google.
Veterans and military spouses earn a stipend while participating in the fellowship program.
Career Forward is an approved Department of Defense SkillBridge Program. Transitioning service members from any branch of service may apply if they meet the eligibility requirements. DoD Instruction 1322.29 allows service members to participate in the program with command approval.
  • If your SkillBridge POC requires supporting documentation from Hiring Our Heroes, let our Career Forward team know and they will assist candidates with the necessary documentation.
  • Please ensure that you are in contact with your SkillBridge POC as each branch of service has different SkillBridge requirements.
Visit the DoD SkillBridge Program page for more information.
"Google.org is proud to support Hiring Our Heroes to train veterans for in-demand jobs through their new Career Forward program."
Jacqueline Fuller, President, Google.org
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