FAQ

What does “Coro” stand for?
“Coro” (not C.O.R.O.) is a word chosen by the organization’s founders in 1947 to describe the unique mission and methods used by Coro centers. Their vision for a program of educational discovery to prepare citizen leaders was a totally new concept. Thus Coro – a new word and one without association – was invented to represent both discovery and exploration. It is not an acronym.

What qualities is Coro looking for in candidates?
Coro is looking for people who have demonstrated some leadership either academically, or within a community and have an interest in public affairs. In addition, Coro is looking for the following qualities: ability to work within a diverse group, commitment to public service, flexibility and intellectual curiosity.

What is a typical Coro Fellow?
A Coro Fellow is idealistic and realistic, and sees himself/herself as a potential agent for change. He or she is flexible, willing to take risks and can handle opposition. A Coro Fellow is committed to improving the democratic process.

Coro literature says that Coro graduates are often individuals that can identify and solve problems effectively. If I were a participant of the Fellows Program, how would Coro help me develop those skills?
To help its participants become successful in the public arena, Coro works closely with Fellows to:

1. Develop and enhance competencies in public speaking, organizational skills, negotiation/mediation, meeting facilitation and critical thinking.
2. Develop group-working skills in a unique diverse environment. Together Fellows learn how to solve common problems, take responsibility for each other’s learning, and provide each other with continuous feedback, evaluation and encouragement.
3. Understand how the different sectors of society work and interact with each other. This is accomplished by placing Fellows in agencies such as government, business, media, non-profit, labor unions and political campaigns.

How are Fellows assigned to a Center, and can I choose which Center I go to?
In the application you have the opportunity to state your Center Preference. If you state a Coro Center as your top choice, it is not guaranteed that you will be chosen for that Center. Unless you have serious commitments and are unable to relocate, you should keep yourself open to all Centers. The more Centers you are willing to consider, the more likely you are to be accepted. There is a section in the full online application where you can rank each Center in order of preference.

Will I be able to choose my placements?
For the most part…no. Field placements are determined by the Trainer based on a wide variety of factors. Some placements are already arranged before you even start the program. You may be able to solicit your own group and individual projects later in the year, which gives you a chance to possibly work for an organization/cause of interest to you. You may make suggestions to staff for prospective placements; however, placement assignments are the Trainer’s decision.

What happens after I graduate? Will I find a job soon afterward?
Coro does not have a formal job placement service. However, once you graduate, a rich networking resource of alumni, Board members and others affiliated with Coro is available to you. If you are looking for a job, alumni and friends are always available to help guide you. In some instances, Fellows are offered positions through their placements (this is not guaranteed). Also, as a Coro alum, you have access to the Coro National Online Alumni Directory, where you can update your contact information, access the contact information of other Coro alumni, and view job listings.

In addition, if you plan to go to graduate school after the Fellows Program, there are several colleges and universities that are willing to negotiate credit toward a master’s degree for completion of the Fellows Program. Other schools have individually negotiated credit with Fellows alums.