Orr Fellowship, an early career development program for versatile high-achievers and future-focused businesses in Indiana, announced today it is now accepting applications for its newly established Evansville chapter. Selected finalists will interview and be matched with partner companies on Nov. 15, 2024, and begin their Fellowships in June 2025.
In partnership with the Evansville Regional Business Committee (ERBC), Orr Fellowship has made a significant move toward deepening its impact across the state of Indiana by expanding to the Southwest Indiana region. The first Evansville cohort of Orr Fellowship partner companies includes:
“Old National is honored to be an Orr Fellowship business partner for the Indianapolis and the inaugural Evansville region cohort,” said Jim Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Old National. “It has been exciting to witness the transformation of these young people from college students to successful young professionals where they learn new skills, grow their professional networks and gain life-long friendships.”
Founded in 2001, Orr Fellowship recruits, assesses and matches university graduates with high-agency roles in growing Indiana businesses. Together, Orr Fellowship and partner companies give graduates the professional development resources and support network they need to accelerate their careers.
“Orr Fellowship has created the premier post-undergraduate experience in the nation,” said Steven Emch, President of Orr Fellowship. “We are changing the trajectory of Fellow lives, businesses and the state of Indiana. Not only have we found that Orr Fellows go on to outearn their peers by 2.5 times, but 84% of Orr Fellows remain in Indiana after their Fellowship, helping to retain top talent across the state.”
Orr Fellowship is experiencing another year of growth in 2024, empowered in part by a Lilly Endowment grant to invest in capacity-increasing activities. The organization has a network of 624 alumni and 120 current Fellows in the program. Following the addition of 13 businesses to its network in 2024, Orr Fellowship now has 63 partner companies.
Qualified candidates for the upcoming cohort must be anticipating graduation in August 2024, December 2024 or May 2025 and have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher; a strong interest in leadership or business; demonstrated leadership and/or impactful work, life and volunteer experiences; and authorization to work in the United States. Orr is a two-year commitment, with many Orr Fellows remaining with the partner company as they progress in their careers.
Orr Fellows are hired full-time for a variety of job functions, ranging from marketing to engineering to consulting, sales and more. These roles span across industries, from small start-ups to enterprise-level global organizations. In addition to full-time employment with a partner company, Orr Fellows participate in a unique curriculum geared towards leadership, continued learning and professional development designed to both challenge and propel them toward a career of excellence.
Outside of their full-time roles, Orr Fellows receive additional development opportunities, including a series of business leader speakers, non-profit consulting projects, career coaching, personal finance workshops and pitch competitions. In addition, Fellows benefit from being part of a community of Orr Fellow peers who are also experiencing their first professional post-graduate roles along with an engaged network of alumni. Orr Fellows maintain key areas of influence within the Orr Fellowship organization, including Fellow, alumni and community engagement; marketing; diversity, equity and inclusion; recruitment; continued learning; and serving as chief of staff.
Orr Fellowship is also accepting applications for partner companies for both the Central Indiana and Evansville Region chapters. A list of current partner businesses can be found here. To become an Orr Fellowship partner company, apply here.
