FAQs

Thanks to corporate sponsors, grants, and individual donors, there is no financial cost for participants. We simply ask that you “pay it forward” by referring transitioning service members to FourBlock, and if you are able, come back to serve as a cohort coach once you begin a new career in the civilian workforce.

Fill out the online application. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an automatic email from someone on our team where you will be provided with a link to schedule a virtual screening call. 

Our first recommendation is to try a different Internet browser or clear your cookies. This usually solves any application errors. However, if that doesn’t work, please download this file, complete the information requested, and send it as an attachment to admissions@fourblock.org.

Our admissions team meets weekly and acceptance emails are generally sent within one or two weeks of applying.

Once you have been accepted into the program you will receive a pre-assessment questionnaire. This pre-assessment is mandatory, as we take data collection and measuring impact very seriously. The pre-assessment gives us a baseline of your current level of comfort and confidence in your transition. Additional questions relevant to our current grant reporting requirements are also included.   

After completing the pre-assessment you will receive an invitation to create an account on our FourBlock Connect platform. FourBlock Connect is our internal community-building and networking platform for students, alumni, and partners. 

Two weeks before your program begins, you will receive additional information about how to best prepare for orientation and your first session with employers. 

We recommend taking the program about 12 months before your transition, whether you are leaving active duty or graduating from school. Of course, this timing will vary based on your particular circumstance. For example, if you are two years out from graduation but have identified the industry or role you plan to pursue, it would be appropriate for you to take the program earlier because you will have the opportunity to make connections to secure an internship. If you are graduating within 6 months, you will be able to make connections that could help you secure a new role after graduation. You and our team member will discuss the best timing for you during the screening call.

In addition to attending a 2 hour in-person meeting each week, cohort participants should be prepared to spend up to 3 additional hours of independent and online learning each week. Coursework and assignments are available on FourBlock Connect, our networking and community-building platform.

Yes! We recommend you take the course only when you can commit to the weekly in-person meetings and independent learning. If you have already been admitted for a specific term but would like to defer your participation, please contact your regional director.

Every transition is unique, and we want what’s best for you. Most of our students who transition to a new job during the course choose to complete the program. This effort helps them continue to build their professional network and gain admittance into our alumni network. However, we also understand that might not be feasible and you can certainly withdraw from the program. If you choose to withdraw, we encourage you to stay in touch with us and maybe come back to coach when the time is right.  

To learn more about course dates, instructors, and host companies, visit the Locations page and select your city or virtual cohort of interest.

Applicants are required to either have a bachelor’s degree or be actively working toward a bachelor’s degree.

While it is not required, we highly recommend creating both (even if it’s a basic outline) before starting the course so you are not starting from scratch. Our curriculum includes lessons for enhancing your LinkedIn profile, developing a master resume, and creating a targeted resume.

Our dress code varies by city and corporate sponsor. Some cohorts require “business professional” for attendance (something you would wear to an interview), while others are more along the lines of “business casual”. Contact your regional director for more information on your specific program.

In an effort to meet veterans and transitioning service members where they are, we recently launched a number of virtual-only cohorts specifically for participants who do not live near one of our in-person locations. Learn more about the virtual cohorts here.

We also encourage you to take our online transition course, Find Your Calling, which features career guidance grounded in the latest career development research and delivered by industry experts to help prepare you for your transition journey.

If you can commit to traveling and doing the work, we’d love to have you! Many of our alumni have driven 4+ hours each week just to participate. Attendance at the weekly in-person classes is required, so be sure you understand your time and travel commitment before registering. We’re confident your commitment will pay off, as you will make invaluable connections with professionals working at the area’s top companies.

Every FourBlock cohort is a little different. Our cohorts are made up of approximately 20-35 participants who might be completing a college degree, active-duty service members who plan to separate within 12 months, and even veterans who feel underemployed or are looking for their next career. Within our cohorts, we have former E-4s who are finishing up a bachelor’s degree working alongside an O-6 who is retiring after 20 years of service. The balance in some cities leans toward one group, but there is always a wide variety of backgrounds and interests. Our alumni have consistently affirmed that this experience enhances the cohort experience, as well as prepares them for the realities of the civilian workforce.

Every week of the program, cohorts meet with a different company. In-person sessions generally meet at the company location while virtual programs meet via Zoom. Curriculum topics and transition concepts are discussed and practiced with executives and employee volunteers (both military and non-military connected) and you learn more about the company and their hiring practices. Time to network is always baked into the agenda since relationship-building relationships is at the core of the FourBlock program.

The vast majority of our weekly sessions) are scheduled for two hours. However, there is often an opportunity for participants to stay longer to continue networking with the host company, but those options are dependent on host and instructor availability.

We cover a variety of career readiness topics, such as networking, telling your story, resume writing, and negotiating job offers. We also go into deeper subjects such as identifying a career starting point, conducting a job market assessment, and career mapping.

Cohorts run for 11 weeks. Orientation is Week 1 and the only session without a company host. You will have the opportunity to meet with and interact with 10 different companies over Weeks 2 through 11. While our hosts generally operate in the fields of consulting, finance, and technology, the host lineup will vary depending on your location. If you don’t get to visit a particular company during your term, FourBlock alumni are always welcome to future events.

Our instructor teams are also some of the most connected veterans in your city; they can also support you with any particulars. Visit the Locations page for more information on your specific program.

We ask that you approach the FourBlock program with an open mind. Just because you might not be interested in finance, for example, the finance industry has opportunities that align with almost every possible career interest (even non-profit). In addition, the overall goal of the FourBlock program is to help you broaden your network and be better prepared to access the people and opportunities that are right for you.

In addition to our Career Readiness Instructors and regional directors, employees from the host companies generally help review weekly topics and go a little more in-depth. This provides a way for the cohort to get valuable insight into each company, gain a better understanding of corporate culture, and learn the lessons of those who transitioned before you.

Absolutely! Contact your regional director, cohort instructors, or a coach assigned to your cohort if you want to obtain additional help with resumes, networking, introductions, LinkedIn, or any other topics related to your career development.

Yes, we require participants to attend all sessions over the course of the semester. Each time you miss a week, you miss that opportunity to connect with an employer, as we generally only visit each company once during each term. We do understand that “life happens.” If you need to be absent, we ask that you provide the professional courtesy of letting your instructor know ahead of time. Each session is carefully planned with our host companies and the number of employees secured for each event is based on our program participants.

FourBlock is a professional development program. For you to be fully present in each weekly session, it is incumbent on you to complete the assignments so you are ready to be an active participant. The program focuses on six key deliverables that are reviewed by instructors, volunteer coaches and regional directors. This combination is what sets our program apart and has consistently resulted in a successful student experience. When the cohort begins, be sure to set aside about 3 hours each week to complete the independent research and reflection necessary to complete the assignments.

Participants who complete the Veteran Career Readiness Program requirements will now earn an official FourBlock digital badge, administered through Credly, that they can display on LinkedIn and other social media platforms.

The digital badge will make it easy for employers to identify who has completed our comprehensive program and has the skills needed to find a meaningful career in the civilian workforce.

Click here to view the requirements to earn the digital credential for FourBlock’s Veteran Career Readiness Program Alumni.

Any veteran who participated in the FourBlock program prior to 2020 can reach out to Lisa Stern at lstern@fourblock.org to request a historical digital badge.

College credit is currently not available for completing the program. Colleges and universities are unique and have varied requirements for credit.

No. FourBlock is not a placement firm nor is it a recruiting agency. Our program focuses on helping you build your own professional portfolio and individualized transition strategy while connecting you to some of the best companies in the country. When you reach alumni status, we will continue to support you while you action on your own personal career goals.

While many of our participants end up making the right connections that ultimately lead to hiring and career advancement, we do not promise a job at the end of our program. Our focus is on improving your professional development and network so you can make the most educated and informed decisions for your own transition. As a FourBlock alumni you will continue to have access to FourBlock Connect and can attend additional sessions to connect with our corporate partners.

FourBlock is funded by corporate sponsorships, grants and individual donations.

Thanks to corporate sponsors and individual donors, there is no financial cost for military spouses. We simply ask that you “pay it forward” by referring other spouses to our program and helping other military spouses make a successful transition in the future.

It’s easy! Just fill out the online application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an automatic email from our military spouse program manager with a link to schedule a virtual screening call. The purpose of this call is to share more about the program and learn more about you to be sure the program is the right fit for you currently.

The program is 11-weeks long and offered once in the Fall and once in the Spring.

You should expect to spend approximately 4-5 hours per week on course materials, weekly supplemental instruction (either live or viewing the recorded session), and weekly cohort small-group coaching calls.

Every situation is unique. Our general rule of thumb is to apply to the program and be prepared to have a conversation with our military spouse program manager. She will discuss both programs and together you can decide which program might be the best fit for you.

In general, if you are ready to start networking and take control of your job search, the veteran’s program might be the best fit. If you are more interested in taking a step back to take a deep dive into who you are now and where you want to go, the military spouse program might be best.

Participants who complete the Military Spouse Career Readiness Program requirements will earn an official FourBlock digital badge, administered through Credly, that they can display on LinkedIn and other social media platforms.

The digital badge will make it easy for employers to identify who has completed our comprehensive program and has the skills needed to find a meaningful career in the civilian workforce.

To view the digital badge requirements and credential for FourBlock’s Military Spouse Career Readiness Program Alumni, click here.

Reach out to Andrea Smith, our Military Spouse Program Manager, at asmith@fourblock.org. Andrea is actually an alumna from our pilot program, and she’s been involved in all aspects of growing the Military Spouse Program.

You can sign up to receive program updates here.