Launch your new career while shopping with Instacart
Merit America and Instacart are proud to partner to help you learn the skills you need to advance your career in as few as 16 weeks.
A path that helps you accelerate your career
Merit America is on a mission to create a scalable pathway for workers to join the middle class through merit, not money. Through our partnership with Instacart, we’re helping Shoppers like you earn an industry-recognized credential from Google in as little as 16 weeks, with the flexibility you need to continue working. As part of this partnership, Merit America and Instacart are offering a $250 discount on your selected program track—exclusive to Instacart Shoppers. Pay $0 upfront and only pay after program completion if you’re earning $40,000 or more.
Our fast, flexible programs are built for working adults. We analyze millions of job postings to identify high-paying tech careers, then provide part-time, online training paired with best-in-class coaching to set you up for success.
Finally, we connect shoppers with our professional network—nearly 16,000 alumni across various industries—along with top employers nationwide, including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Google, Amazon, Accenture, Southwest Airlines, and more. On average, our alumni experience a $21,000 wage increase three or more months after completing the program.
Apply
Click the Apply Now button to choose the program that fits you best and complete our assessment to confirm your program eligibility. To secure your program discount, please apply directly through this page to enroll as an Instacart learner.
Email a screenshot of your profile
Email a screenshot of your active Instacart Shopper profile to instacartverification@meritamerica.org to confirm your partnership eligibility and unlock your discount and reward. This step must also be completed before the first day of your program to maintain partnership eligibility.
Complete the Foundations Phase
Complete the first four weeks of your track that provides you with the opportunity to better understand the Merit America program.
Receive your $250 Offer!
Get a $250 discount on your chosen Merit America program upon reaching the Immersions phase of the program. If you applied before 10/21/24, you’ll also receive one year of LinkedIn Premium.
Our alums work for the world’s top companies
Learn in-demand skills without quitting your day job
Our programs are built for working adults—part-time, flexible, and focused on real-world results. You’ll earn industry-recognized credentials from providers like Google while learning the skills employers need most. Choose a career that matches your strengths, skills, and interests.
IT Support
Monitor and manage hardware, software and networks within an organization.
Data Analytics
Analyze raw data for insights and apply those patterns towards decision making.
UX Design
Create user experiences with products that are useful, enjoyable and accessible.
Cybersecurity
Monitor and protect networks, devices, people, and data.
Project Management
Lead projects to ensure successful outcomes through strategic thinking.
Human Resources+
Create workplaces where people and businesses thrive.
Supply Chain
Learn logistics, inventory, and operations management skills.
Semiconductor
Work with tools to build microchips for electronics, cars, and smart devices.
AI Essentials
Apply AI tools to automate work, analyze information, and support decisions.
Pay $0 upfront
Build a career based on your potential, not your bank account.
- Learn in-demand skills
- Land a great job
- Pay only after you’re hired
- Support the next classp
Work Life Balance
Your third-party coursework and Merit America career coaching services are online. Live meetings are only 3-5 hours per week. You can complete the coursework in-between shopping shifts, on weekends – whatever works for your life.
My Calendar
Monday, January 10
Merit America Program
- Shopping for Instacart 8am – 3pm
- Online Coursework 3pm – 5pm
- Daycare Pick-Up 5:15pm
- Family Dinner 6pm
- 1:1 Career Coaching 8pm
Work with a team dedicated to your success
Meet regularly with a career coach and squad of your peers to keep you on track. After you finish, you’ll join a network of thousands of Merit America alumni.
Chat
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Michael, Career Coach
How’s your coursework going this week?
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Cora
I’m really struggling with my resume…
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Michael, Career Coach
You’ve got this! Let me connect you with our job success coach, Teresa.
Also, something to look forward to: you’re only one week away from completing your Google Certificate!
Work with a coach dedicated to your success
Meet regularly with a career coach and join live, topic based workshops that fit your schedule. After you finish, you’ll join a network of thousands of Merit America alumni.
Chat
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Michael, Career Coach
How’s your week so far?
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Cora
I’m really struggling with my resume…
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Michael, Career Coach
That makes sense. A lot of people get stuck here, and it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.
We’ll work through your resume together and translate what you’ve been doing into skills employers actually look for. And the timing’s good — you’re only a week away from earning your Google IT Support Certificate.
Thousands of learners have changed their lives without a four year degree
I had no tangible qualifications to put on a resume and couldn’t afford training and exams. Merit provided everything I was looking for.
Yves | IT Helpdesk Technician
Programs like Merit America allow you to open a door that otherwise you would not be able to.
Sandra | Tech Consultant
Attending Merit, has not only equipped me with more tools in the tech field, but it has also brought me a network of support.
Michelle | Web Developer
I had difficulties translating my existing IT experience into new job offers. Merit America was the perfect extra support I needed to begin my career.
Alix | Tech Solutions Coordinator
Merit America is invested in helping people succeed not only in their work life, but in life in general.
Toya | Tech Consultant
I learned a lot of skills I was never taught. The coach meetings gave me the accountability I needed to succeed.
Willie | Tech Support Technician
Merit America has changed so much for me that I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve felt like I would never get out of the dead end that I was in.
Rey | Marketing Specialist
Merit America has greatly improved my coding abilities, and my job prospects. My professional skills are much better, including searching for jobs!
Bruce | Engineering Apprentice
Everything I learned in the Merit program, I do at my job.
Rhonda | Help Desk Specialist
Merit America gave me the tools and resources to further my learning in IT.
Akilah | T2 Flex Force
It’s a great program that pushes you to learn everyday. The program is set up to help you succeed.
Vi | Software Engineer
My new career in IT has provided me with opportunities for success that I didn’t have before, and I owe my move into this career to Merit America.
Joshua | IT Support Analyst
I’ve always wanted to learn Java and had looked at options available at community colleges. It was going to cost me more and take longer than Merit.
Elizabeth | Software Engineer
At Merit America, I knew I had people — the Merit team as well as my squad — in my corner pushing me and helping me, no matter how tough it got.
Ebauni | IT Support / Business Analyst
Programs like Merit America give people with great minds a chance to pursue their dreams. To any Merit learner, know that you’re in the right place.
Corey | Cloud Operations Support Associate
Through the program I learned how to effectively pitch myself to an employer, and was given great resources to rework both my resume and cover letter.
Shonneri | Operations & Support
I had no tangible qualifications to put on a resume and couldn’t afford training and exams. Merit provided everything I was looking for.
Yves | IT Helpdesk Technician
Programs like Merit America allow you to open a door that otherwise you would not be able to.
Sandra | Tech Consultant
Attending Merit, has not only equipped me with more tools in the tech field, but it has also brought me a network of support.
Michelle | Web Developer
I had difficulties translating my existing IT experience into new job offers. Merit America was the perfect extra support I needed to begin my career.
Alix | Tech Solutions Coordinator
Merit America is invested in helping people succeed not only in their work life, but in life in general.
Toya | Tech Consultant
I learned a lot of skills I was never taught. The coach meetings gave me the accountability I needed to succeed.
Willie | Tech Support Technician
Merit America has changed so much for me that I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve felt like I would never get out of the dead end that I was in.
Rey | Marketing Specialist
Merit America has greatly improved my coding abilities, and my job prospects. My professional skills are much better, including searching for jobs!
Bruce | Engineering Apprentice
Everything I learned in the Merit program, I do at my job.
Rhonda | Help Desk Specialist
Merit America gave me the tools and resources to further my learning in IT.
Akilah | T2 Flex Force
It’s a great program that pushes you to learn everyday. The program is set up to help you succeed.
Vi | Software Engineer
My new career in IT has provided me with opportunities for success that I didn’t have before, and I owe my move into this career to Merit America.
Joshua | IT Support Analyst
I’ve always wanted to learn Java and had looked at options available at community colleges. It was going to cost me more and take longer than Merit.
Elizabeth | Software Engineer
At Merit America, I knew I had people — the Merit team as well as my squad — in my corner pushing me and helping me, no matter how tough it got.
Ebauni | IT Support / Business Analyst
Programs like Merit America give people with great minds a chance to pursue their dreams. To any Merit learner, know that you’re in the right place.
Corey | Cloud Operations Support Associate
Through the program I learned how to effectively pitch myself to an employer, and was given great resources to rework both my resume and cover letter.
Shonneri | Operations & Support
I had no tangible qualifications to put on a resume and couldn’t afford training and exams. Merit provided everything I was looking for.
Yves | IT Helpdesk Technician
Programs like Merit America allow you to open a door that otherwise you would not be able to.
Sandra | Tech Consultant
Attending Merit, has not only equipped me with more tools in the tech field, but it has also brought me a network of support.
Michelle | Web Developer
I had difficulties translating my existing IT experience into new job offers. Merit America was the perfect extra support I needed to begin my career.
Alix | Tech Solutions Coordinator
Merit America is invested in helping people succeed not only in their work life, but in life in general.
Toya | Tech Consultant
I learned a lot of skills I was never taught. The coach meetings gave me the accountability I needed to succeed.
Willie | Tech Support Technician
Merit America has changed so much for me that I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve felt like I would never get out of the dead end that I was in.
Rey | Marketing Specialist
Merit America has greatly improved my coding abilities, and my job prospects. My professional skills are much better, including searching for jobs!
Bruce | Engineering Apprentice
Everything I learned in the Merit program, I do at my job.
Rhonda | Help Desk Specialist
Merit America gave me the tools and resources to further my learning in IT.
Akilah | T2 Flex Force
It’s a great program that pushes you to learn everyday. The program is set up to help you succeed.
Vi | Software Engineer
My new career in IT has provided me with opportunities for success that I didn’t have before, and I owe my move into this career to Merit America.
Joshua | IT Support Analyst
I’ve always wanted to learn Java and had looked at options available at community colleges. It was going to cost me more and take longer than Merit.
Elizabeth | Software Engineer
At Merit America, I knew I had people — the Merit team as well as my squad — in my corner pushing me and helping me, no matter how tough it got.
Ebauni | IT Support / Business Analyst
Programs like Merit America give people with great minds a chance to pursue their dreams. To any Merit learner, know that you’re in the right place.
Corey | Cloud Operations Support Associate
Through the program I learned how to effectively pitch myself to an employer, and was given great resources to rework both my resume and cover letter.
Shonneri | Operations & Support
I had no tangible qualifications to put on a resume and couldn’t afford training and exams. Merit provided everything I was looking for.
Yves | IT Helpdesk Technician
Programs like Merit America allow you to open a door that otherwise you would not be able to.
Sandra | Tech Consultant
Attending Merit, has not only equipped me with more tools in the tech field, but it has also brought me a network of support.
Michelle | Web Developer
I had difficulties translating my existing IT experience into new job offers. Merit America was the perfect extra support I needed to begin my career.
Alix | Tech Solutions Coordinator
Merit America is invested in helping people succeed not only in their work life, but in life in general.
Toya | Tech Consultant
I learned a lot of skills I was never taught. The coach meetings gave me the accountability I needed to succeed.
Willie | Tech Support Technician
Merit America has changed so much for me that I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve felt like I would never get out of the dead end that I was in.
Rey | Marketing Specialist
Merit America has greatly improved my coding abilities, and my job prospects. My professional skills are much better, including searching for jobs!
Bruce | Engineering Apprentice
Everything I learned in the Merit program, I do at my job.
Rhonda | Help Desk Specialist
Merit America gave me the tools and resources to further my learning in IT.
Akilah | T2 Flex Force
It’s a great program that pushes you to learn everyday. The program is set up to help you succeed.
Vi | Software Engineer
My new career in IT has provided me with opportunities for success that I didn’t have before, and I owe my move into this career to Merit America.
Joshua | IT Support Analyst
I’ve always wanted to learn Java and had looked at options available at community colleges. It was going to cost me more and take longer than Merit.
Elizabeth | Software Engineer
At Merit America, I knew I had people — the Merit team as well as my squad — in my corner pushing me and helping me, no matter how tough it got.
Ebauni | IT Support / Business Analyst
Programs like Merit America give people with great minds a chance to pursue their dreams. To any Merit learner, know that you’re in the right place.
Corey | Cloud Operations Support Associate
Through the program I learned how to effectively pitch myself to an employer, and was given great resources to rework both my resume and cover letter.
Shonneri | Operations & Support
Hear From Merit America’s Instacart Shoppers ⤵
Meet Victoria
Victoria, an Instacart shopper of over two years, recently began her journey in Merit America’s Project Management track. Inspired by her love for working with people and creating team-driven experiences, she shared, “I enjoy speaking with people… I like being a part of the team!” Having explored other roles and delivery services, she found herself drawn to Project Management, believing it would be the perfect fit for her collaborative and outgoing nature. Reflecting on her decision, Victoria noted, “I’m gonna take this opportunity because… The people have been great. I went to the meetings and they were great, too.” Excited to grow professionally, she’s ready to gain new skills and advance toward a fulfilling career.
Meet Rhiannon
Rhiannon joined Merit America’s UX Design program after spending over 2.5 years as an Instacart Shopper, where she discovered a passion for designing user-friendly experiences. She was drawn to UX Design for its empathy-driven focus and attention to detail, sharing, “I have a great attention to detail, I have a lot of empathy… I thought UX Design fit my personality and needs the best.” With no prior tech experience and no bachelor’s degree—remarking, “I didn’t even know this career existed, like, three weeks ago!”—Rhiannon saw Merit America as the perfect opportunity to transform her career. Now, Rhiannon has joined Merit America to gain her Google UX Design Certificate.
Meet Cecelia
Cecelia, a stay-at-home mom of seven and a dedicated homeschooler for over 20 years, began shopping with Instacart earlier this year. After reaching “gold star” status, she discovered Merit America’s UX Design program and was drawn to the opportunity to explore a creative field with Adobe tools—an area she’d always dreamed of pursuing. Motivated by her goal for a stable career and the ability to obtain job training with $0 upfront, Cecelia shared, “I’m just excited for the opportunity!” Now, she’s diving into her UX Design studies, ready to build a new career path.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the following FAQs don’t answer your questions, email learnmore@meritamerica.org.
Ready to advance your career AND unlock benefits?
Apply now to unlock exclusive Instacart benefits, including a $250 program discount. Start your journey toward a high-paying, flexible career today!