Frequently Asked Questions
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Change the Game supports and aims to build a strong, diverse progressive data community by:
Providing training academies to build out a larger community of practitioners;
Developing online courses and interactive virtual trainings to support new practices and learning by community members and future practitioners, and
Building and supporting a virtual community for data practitioners to share lessons learned, best practices, and questions.
At Change the Game, we’re building a community of passionate, progressive data professionals. We work to ensure there’s a pipeline for those interested in joining this community, regardless of where they come from, what they look like, or the level of education or experience they have.
Our online courses are one off, at your own paces courses hosted on our learning managment system. Topics include: Google Sheets; Using SQL in Redshift, VAN, Using SQL in Bigquery; and more. These are self paced, online courses that consist of pre-recorded videos, worksheets, activities and knowledge checks. We request a $100 suggested donation per course.
Our online Academies are “bootcamp” style data academies that are hosted online using Zoom. These cover multiple topics and require participants to be available for live trainings, mentor support, and activities to complete on their own time. In 2022, we’re planning two Academies: a beginner academy that will run from 7/15-8/5; and an intermediate academy that will run from 8/15-8/26. They will be from 6:00-9:00pm EDT.
Our 2022 Beginner Data Academy will be held from July 18-August 5, 2022. We are currently accepting applications. Apply here!
We ask for a $250 suggested donation per participant for each academy.
Our online learning courses are short, topic based courses that are hosted on Change the Game’s Learning Management System (a fancy term for online classrooms!). They are “at-your-own-pace” learning opportunities on various topics such as Google Sheets, VAN, SQL, and more.
We’re constantly working on new topics and updating existing courses, so if what you’re looking for isn’t there, let us know!
We ask that participants make a donation of $100 per course for our online learning. This money helps ensure our organization is sustainable, and that we can continue to offer trainings into the future. Participants may make donations of other amounts, and scholarships are available.
Signing up for our online courses are easy! Simply head to our online course homepage and click “sign up” next to the course you’re interested in taking.
From there, you’ll be asked to fill out a short application. Once you’re application is submitted and reviewed, we’ll send you an email with instructions on how to log in and set up your account on our Learning Management System (LMS).
Once your login username and password are set up, you can log in at courses.changethegame.io and start and continue the course at your own pace.
Change the Game is focused on breaking down technical barriers for entry into the field of Progressive Data by teaching common skills utilized across the space. Change the Game intentionally targets its recruitment towards traditionally underrepresented communities, aiming to increase diversity across the progressive data space. Change the Game focuses on building a pipeline of data staff for the progressive advocacy industry, from party organizations to independent expenditures and campaigns.
We are looking for participants from traditionally underrepresented communities who have an interest in database or list management, and/or general targeting.
You do not have to have a lot of experience working with these tools, however we are looking for folks who are interested in learning and like to play around with new tools to get a better understanding of what they can do, and how you can use them to affect change in your communities.
It would be useful – though not required – for participants to have some experience in the progressive space. Maybe you’ve worked on or volunteered for a campaign or a local advocacy organization. Interest in and a passion for this space is important when working in this field!
We are looking for participants who are able and willing to work for and with progressive organizations. We’re hoping that graduates from our academy will leave with a deeper understanding of how data informs decision making, and be able to use that in this space.
The ultimate goal is for folks to work as data staffers and directors. For some participants, this program may be the first step into the data realm. The knowledge they gain from the academy should be compounded with ongoing experience in the field as well as continuous learning before they will be ready to take on leadership roles.
Our Academy aims to not only teach the technical skills necessary to be successful in an early career data role, but also to give participants the context they need about the progressive space to hit the ground running on Day 1 and to know where to go for more support should they need it.
Technical skills will include advanced Excel / Google Sheets, SQL, reporting & data visualization, and voter contact targeting. Additional topics will range from where voter files come from to what your lawyer wishes you knew about campaign data.
YES! This cycle Change the Game’s online learning academy is 100 percent virtual. We’re creating different pathways for participation, to support folks with different needs, availability and learning preferences. We are also launching “at-your-own-pace” online learning courses. Learn more here.
In 2022, we’re running multiple online academies, beginning with a beginner Academy, which will be followed by an intermediate academy. Feel free to sign up for one or both of these academies.
Beginner Academy: July 18-August 5th.
Participants should expect to be online, working each weekday, with team projects to complete over the weekends. This does not include coursework that must be completed between live sessions.
The trainings will be divided into the following sections:
Online learning: at your own pace learning that will include videos, reading, assessments and homework assignments.
Virtual Classroom: live, activity based sessions with trainers that build off of the online course work. These include breakout sessions, pop quizzes, class participation and more.
Community Speaker Series: Hear from and network with former participants, experts and leaders in the progressive space, in a more casual, non-learning setting.
Mentorship Breakouts: Small group activity sessions that review the virtual classroom session, answer any questions about the homework or trainings, and work on small group activities and team homework assignments.
That’s ok too. Change the Game is more than a short term academy, we’re going to continue to provide support and online trainings for folks to learn at their own pace. Check out our online learning courses for “at-your-own-pace” learning opportunities.
In order to participate, learners need a computer or laptop, and a reliable internet connection. However, if you do not have access to one or either, we can provide necessary hardware to participants who need it.
Thank you so much for your interest! We rely on the generosity of our donors and sponsors to keep costs low (and in many cases free!) for our participants. Click here to donate and to learn more about our sponsorship packages.
The beginner academies are designed for those in the progressive space that are looking to switch into data roles. It will teach participants a comprehensive overview of data foundations and applications.
The intermediate academy is for those who have some data experience in a junior role, or 1+ cycles of experience. It will train participants in advanced data skills so that they can level up from their foundational knowledge.
Please feel free to reach out. Email: info@changethegame.io