Opportunity is not an advantage that is afforded equally to everyone. While a university education and subsequent career in a chosen field are a natural path for some, many others face socioeconomic barriers that sequester plans like these into the realm of dreams that feel impossible to realize.
But the thing about dreams is that within them lies a seed of hope. To dream of something at all is to know that it is possible. And with the right nurturance and resources, those dreams can burst into reality as the seed begins to bloom.
This cultivation of dreams is found in Relevate’s mission.
A Responsibility to Act
Originally Relativity Fellows, Relevate first launched in Chicago in 2020 in response to this growing opportunity divide. After pausing with purpose in 2023 to reinvigorate the program’s value and reach, Fellows relaunched in 2025 as Relevate—with a sharper vision and stronger roadmap to connect talented individuals with life-changing career opportunities.
Relevate provides non-traditional talent with an open door to accelerate their careers in tech and achieve lasting financial security. By arming candidates with training and resources that may otherwise be unattainable, Relevate seeks to shrink the opportunity divide that makes career mobility inaccessible to millions of people.
Relevate meets participants where they are—from foundational readiness in its Ignition programming to career-aligned training in Ascent Academies—and provides ongoing connection and support through the Relevate Alumni Network Group. Most importantly, it helps motivated individuals facing socioeconomic barriers build for themselves a secure, meaningful career.
Career Pathways for Non-Traditional Talent
Relevate might be undergoing a transformation, but its core purpose stays true to its roots. So who are the individuals that Relevate is looking to uplift? Who should apply to the program?
Typical Relevate participants are emerging professionals who are eager to launch or pivot into careers in tech. They may be recent high school or college graduates, career changers, or individuals who haven’t followed a traditional path into the industry.
“What they all share,” says Sean Nielsen, manager of Talent Pathways programming at Relativity, “is potential, drive, and a desire to grow—and Relevate bolsters this ambition with the right support, skills, and opportunities.”
Equitable Opportunity Brings Lasting Benefits
But what does this actually mean? What does the program look like for its participants?
Understanding that participants are already juggling a full life of responsibilities, Relevate meets you where you are with intention and direction. Designed to be completed comfortably within participants’ preexisting schedules, Relevate offers the flexibility and balance necessary to help students excel.
Program benefits include:
- Free skills training and career support: With 3-4 months of totally free education, Relevate provides participants with a pathway to career excellence.
- Global Access to Learning: Through the nerds.family platform, participants worldwide can access self-paced, career-aligned training with the added support of their cohort and mentors.
- Remote Learning: No need to find time for a long commute; students can participate from anywhere.
- Flexible Commitment: Relevate allows participants to fit education seamlessly into their already busy lives without the need to leave school or a current job to participate. Self-paced lessons ensure participants can keep control of their schedules.
- Exposure to Relativity and Legal Data Intelligence: Relevate participants are exposed to RelativityOne and stay at the cutting edge of the legal industry with LDI training.
- Career Optionality: The transferrable skills learned and networks grown via successful completion of Relevate programming can open doors to job opportunities in the industry.
- Ongoing Support Through Alumni Network: Graduates join the Relevate Alumni Network Group, gaining continued access to mentorship, career resources, and a supportive professional community.
- Economic Mobility: Participants gain the skills, confidence, and connections needed to secure meaningful employment and long-term financial stability.
Typical Programming: A Day in the Relevate Life
If you’d like to shift into a career in tech but have thus far felt unsure of where to start, it may be difficult to imagine what that would look like nestled into your already busy schedule. Fortunately, Relevate is designed to work with you, putting you in the driver’s seat to chart your course forward.
Relevate offers structured programming in two ways: Ignition for foundational readiness and Ascent Academies for targeted preskilling in the specific domains of engineering, product management, and customer success (to start).
Let’s dive into how these two programs differ, the benefits they share, and who are the best candidates for each.
Program Basics
Ignition Programming: Groundwork for Growth
Locations: Chicago & Krakow
Ignition is all about building confidence, foundational skills, and career readiness—tailored to the needs of each region.
In the US, Relevate Ignition serves as a hub to connect emerging talent with our incredible network of community partners to receive wrap-around career services during and after an academic phase, or to assist with career transitions.
In Poland, Relevate is closely collaborating with Hearty Foundation to provide a curated learning series to open the door to the world of IT.
Across the board, Ignition connects Relativity employee volunteers with program participants through mentorship and facilitation.
A typical day in Ignition might include:
- Career Exploration Workshops: Sessions that introduce participants to roles in legal tech, with guest speakers from Relativity and partner organizations.
- Professional Skills Training: Interactive modules on communication, maximizing strengths, teamwork, leveraging AI, and job interview etiquette.
- Partner-Led Sessions: Programming delivered by local partners like One Million Degrees, Braven, or the Hearty Foundation, focusing on mentorship, goal-setting, and personal development.
- Hands-On Projects: Group activities or case studies that simulate real-world challenges in tech environments.
- Community Building: Peer discussions, network activation events, and check-ins to foster a sense of belonging and support.
Participants typically engage with programming weekly, either in-person or virtually, depending on the region and partner program setup.
Ascent Academies: Targeted Skills for Success
Ascent Academies are globally accessible and designed to prepare participants for specific roles in (to start):
- Engineering
- Product Management
- Customer Success
Legal Data Intelligence education is woven throughout the experience, so participants stay ahead of the curve on legal tech industry trends.
A day in an Ascent Academy might include:
- Self-Paced Learning: Participants log in to the nerds.family platform to complete curated tasks and challenges aligned with transferable skills for their chosen career path.
- Live Virtual Sessions: Instructor-led workshops or office hours to reinforce learning and provide real-time support.
- Skill-Building Challenges: Practical assignments like building a simple app, mapping a product lifecycle, or simulating a product support scenario.
- Mentorship Touchpoints: Regular check-ins with mentors to track progress and provide guidance and career readiness prep.
Ascent is designed to be flexible—participants can learn at their own pace while still benefiting from structured support and community engagement.
How Do the Two Programs Differ?
While Ignition programming and Ascent Academies share many foundational commonalities, there are some distinctions:
Purpose
Ignition programming is regionally specific and focuses on foundational readiness, building confidence, soft skills, and career awareness for individuals who are early in their professional journey or exploring new career paths.
Ascent Academies are globally accessible and focus on targeted preskilling—equipping participants who already possess a baseline technical skill set with the technical and role-specific upskilling needed to pursue careers in a specific domain.
Audience
Ignition is designed for individuals who may be new to the workforce or transitioning careers and are facing socioeconomic barriers. Programming is delivered in partnership with local organizations that provide wraparound support.
Ascent Academies are geared toward participants who are ready to specialize and deepen their skills in a specific tech career path. This program is open to a global audience through online access.
Delivery Format
Ignition is delivered regionally (e.g., Chicago, Krakow) through in-person or hybrid sessions led fully by or in collaboration with community partners like One Million Degrees, Braven, Year Up, and the Hearty Foundation.
Ascent Academies are delivered globally via the nerds.family platform, with a mix of self-paced learning and strategically placed live sessions.
Content & Activities
Ignition programming has a wider lens and allows participants to explore potential career options within the industry. It coaches participants on professional skills (communication, teamwork, time management), provides mentorship and personal development, and helps participants feel connected in their journey through community building and peer support.
Ascent has a narrower focus, with technical training aligned to specific roles, real-world projects and challenges, career readiness (resumes, interviews, job search), and mentorship.
Outcomes
The goal of Ignition is to increase graduate confidence and career clarity. Ignition builds participant readiness to pursue further training or internships and fosters a stronger connection to local support networks.
Ascent's aim is more targeted. It equips graduates with job-ready skills for specific tech roles, a portfolio of work and practical experience, and preparedness for entry-level roles in tech.
“In short: Ignition is the launchpad, helping participants build a strong foundation, while Ascent is the accelerator, preparing them to step confidently into the tech workforce.” – Sean Neilsen, Manager, Talent Pathways Programming
What Do the Two Programs Share?
Candidates are encouraged to choose the program that more closely aligns with their life and career goals and status. But both programs share the same fundamental benefits that ground Relevate in its purpose:
Access to Career Pathways
Both programs are designed to open doors to meaningful careers in legal tech, regardless of a participant’s starting point.
Mentorship and Coaching
Participants in both tracks receive guidance from experienced professionals—whether through structured mentorship, workshops, or informal support networks.
Community and Belonging
Relevate fosters a strong sense of community. Whether you're in a local cohort or learning virtually, you're part of a network of peers, mentors, and alumni who support each other.
Skill Development
While the focus differs (foundational vs. technical), both programs emphasize building the skills needed to succeed in the workplace of today and the future—communication, collaboration, problem-solving, leveraging disruptive tech, and more.
Connection to Employers
Both tracks aim to connect participants with real job opportunities, internships, or further training at Relativity and other organizations in the industry.
Confidence and Empowerment
At their core, both programs are about helping individuals see what’s possible, believe in their potential, and take the next step toward a fulfilling career.
Alumni Network Access
Graduates from both Ignition and Ascent become part of the Relevate Alumni Network Group, gaining continued access to resources, events, and professional development.
So What’s Next?
If you are seeing yourself in these words and dream of a fulfilling career in tech, Relevate has your next steps mapped out for you. Whether the foundational readiness of Ignition will help you thrive, or the career-specific training of Ascent Academies is more your speed, the door to your future career is wide open.
Sometimes all a seed needs to flourish is a little extra care and a bit more water. Relevate could be the boost that turns your vision board into your actual life.
Opportunity is at your doorstep. Are you ready to answer the call?
Graphics for this article were created by Caroline Patterson.
