BackAt Cognition, we don’t just talk about developing talent—we structure our systems to actually do it.
Mentorship has long been seen as a professional courtesy or “extra credit” in agency life. But we believe it’s something more: a lever for building the field, shaping creative leadership, and driving the culture of continuous learning that today’s work demands. That’s why we launched the Cognition Fellows Program—a structured, full-time, paid fellowship that nurtures emerging professionals in communications, design, and medical illustration/animation.
This model is more than a talent pipeline. It’s a commitment to how we want to work—with empathy, with rigor, and with people at the center of growth.
Why fellowship?
Investing in early-career talent is more important than ever. Studies from Harvard Business Review, the Brookings Institute, and the Center for Creative Leadership show that early exposure to structured mentorship and real-world experience significantly improves career confidence, retention, and long-term leadership outcomes.1–3
We designed our Fellows Program to level people up, not wear them down. The 12-month program gives Fellows real project experience, weekly mentorship from Cognition leadership, and exposure to business practices and behaviors that accelerate creative maturity. By providing structure, support, and real stakes, we’re not only helping new talent grow—we’re following through on what we believe great creative leadership requires: mentorship, courage, and the discipline to build what doesn’t yet exist.
Whether someone is just out of graduate school or transitioning from another field, the Fellowship creates a bridge—not a leap—into strategic creative roles in the life sciences.
A growth mindset in practice
As a studio grounded in strategic communications and creative problem-solving, we know that confidence and clarity take time to develop. That’s why the Fellowship is intentionally framed around growth mindset principles—an approach I deepened during my time in the Yale Women’s Strategic Leadership Program. Fellows are encouraged to explore, iterate, reflect, and take risks in a psychologically safe space. They’re coached through ambiguity, not penalized by it. This coaching model aligns with findings from MIT Sloan, which highlight that mentors grow alongside their mentees—developing stronger leadership habits, empathy, and communication skills.4
Importantly, we don’t just apply this mindset to our Fellows—we apply it to ourselves.
We use the Fellowship as a learning lab for Cognition’s managers and mentors, many of whom are stepping into leadership roles. Mentorship sharpens not just the Fellow’s craft, but also the mentor’s ability to coach, listen, and lead with intention.
Grounded in our CORE
The Fellowship also brings Cognition’s values to life—what we call our CORE:
- Contribution – Fellows work on real projects from day one. No simulations. No sidelines.
- Ownership – Each Fellow is accountable for their growth, reflection, and project participation.
- Reflection – Quarterly reviews, working journals, and capstone presentations ensure learning is visible and iterative.
- Enablement – Mentors, team leads, and the studio community invest in support, feedback, and stretch opportunities that match where each Fellow is in their journey.
These aren’t just performance markers—they’re how we teach leadership, creative resilience, and strategic awareness. And as McKinsey points out, mentoring is one of the most effective ways to help new managers develop into true leaders.5