Build Your Talent Pipeline with Orr Fellowship
Looking to hire versatile, high-achieving early-career professionals? Orr Fellowship connects future-focused organizations with full-time talent, supported by a two-year fellowship program to accelerate their career preparedness and leadership skills. Invest in the next generation of Indiana business leaders – request to become an Orr partner today.
Why Partner with Orr Fellowship
Building a strong talent pipeline requires more than filling open roles — organizations need intentional hiring strategies and structured professional development to ensure their team’s ongoing success. As a trusted talent acquisition partner, Orr Fellowship reduces the uncertainty of traditional entry level recruitment while supporting candidates with built-in leadership development.
Orr partners often report:
- Higher retention compared to typical entry level hiring pathways
- Faster productivity ramp-up than traditional new hires
- Increased promotion readiness and internal mobility
- Stronger community presence and employer brand recognition
Orr’s partnerships with leading universities ensures access to diverse, high-achieving graduates prepared to take on roles across industries like technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, financial services, consulting, nonprofit and professional services. Fellows support functions ranging from marketing and operations to engineering, finance, analytics, HR, and sales.
Compared to relying on costly external recruiters or cyclical staffing searches, our corporate fellowship program provides a consistent, high-quality path to hiring and retaining future leaders. Through coaching, peer collaboration, mentorship, and real-world leadership training, Orr Fellows onboard quickly and contribute meaningfully to partner companies throughout their two years.
>90%
Partner Satisfaction Rate
270+
Partners in Our Network
3.2+ GPA
High-Achieving Graduates
170+
Current Fellows
What Sets Orr Fellows Apart From Other Entry-Level Hires
Traditionally, Orr Fellows are selected through a rigorous, multi-stage recruitment process designed to identify adaptable, accomplished graduates committed to contributing to Indiana’s economy and their local communities. Alternatively, partner companies can bring candidates for consideration to Orr Fellowship from their own talent pipelines, which we refer to as “Direct Placement.”
Candidates must meet strong academic standards, demonstrate meaningful leadership experience, and complete a competitive assessment process before being matched with a company. Our process ensures Fellows are ready to make an impact from day one on your team, while our professional development curriculum continues to strengthen their business acumen, communication, and cross-functional problem-solving skills.
How Orr Fellowship Works
Orr Fellowship manages a rigorous, four-stage recruitment and selection process designed to deliver exceptional early-career professionals ready to contribute immediately. From August through December, candidates complete an application, participate in interviews, engage in enrichment experiences, and advance through finalist selection. Finalists are then matched with partner companies during Finalist Day events in Indianapolis and Evansville.
Candidates come from universities across the country, strengthening the diversity of their backgrounds and areas of study. All Orr Fellows meet high standards, including:
- A 3.2+ GPA,
- Demonstrated leadership experience,
- A U.S. work authorization, and
- A commitment to living in Indiana during the two-year fellowship program.
On Finalist Day, candidates are paired with 2–6 companies for in-person interviews. Orr Fellowship uses an algorithm that considers mutual preferences, so partner companies connect with finalists who possess the skills and qualities they’re looking for. Many offers are extended the same day, with additional matches continuing through the spring. This approach streamlines recruitment, reduces hiring risk, and ensures access to a strong entry level talent pipeline.
Partner companies hire Orr Fellows as full-time employees in roles tailored to business needs and growth priorities. Fellows contribute across industries — from startups to global enterprises — in functions such as marketing, engineering, operations, consulting, finance, and sales, expanding meaningful career opportunities while strengthening your talent pipeline.
Partner organizations are asked to:
- Place Fellows in positions that offer real responsibility, allowing them to contribute to a business’s success.
- Provide competitive salary and benefits consistent with entry level roles.
- Make an annual program investment that supports structured training, mentorship, and community-building activities.
- Offer Fellows access to executive leadership and opportunities to learn about various departments within the organization.
Our two-year corporate fellowship program runs alongside full-time employment, allowing Fellows to contribute immediately while participating in structured professional, career, and leadership development. Programming occurs during dedicated professional development days or outside core work hours to minimize disruption while building business acumen, adaptability, and leadership readiness that enhance on-the-job performance.
Orr Fellowship supports partner companies throughout the full two-year experience. Executives receive preparation resources and office hours ahead of Finalist Day to support effective interviewing and selection. Once Fellows are hired, partners receive an executive newsletter with program updates, important dates, and best practices to support Fellow success. Partners also receive management and discussion guides to stay informed about what Fellows are learning in the leadership curriculum.
Orr also hosts an annual partner networking event designed to strengthen relationships, share program updates, and encourage peer collaboration among partner organizations. Behind the scenes, Orr delivers premier programming and growth opportunities for Fellows, helping them build practical skills, expand professional networks, and contribute more effectively within their roles. Companies gain access to a network of fellow partners and Orr alumni, strengthening their connections within the Indiana business ecosystem.
If challenges arise, Orr works closely with partners and Fellows to ensure a successful outcome. This proactive partnership model strengthens retention, enhances talent acquisition outcomes, and supports sustainable leadership growth.
Our Chapters & Regional Talent
Orr Fellowship connects organizations in Indianapolis and Evansville, two of our state’s major economic regions, to exceptional talent. Learn more about our chapters and the statewide economic impact of Orr Fellowship below.
Trusted by Leading Employers
Orr Fellowship partners with forward-thinking organizations committed to developing talent and strengthening Indiana’s workforce. Our partner network spans innovative businesses, growing companies, and respected institutions working alongside leading university partners to support early-career success.
Trusted by Leading Employers
Partner Companies Maximize Early Career Potential
“In today’s competitive talent climate, partnering with an organization that finds fantastic individuals who are eager to participate provides us with stronger job security. We know that we are going to find really good, strong, competitive talent through Orr Fellowship.”
Lucy Wehlage
Rotational Program & Development Specialist, The Heritage Group
“Orr brings the best of the best recent graduates directly to us. These graduates have been vetted and interviewed so many times there’s no question you’ll get a talented individual.”
Michael Burton
Founder, Stitch
“The best time to start building the best version of your workforce is yesterday. If you didn’t start then, start today. When you want the best workforce around, partnering with Orr Fellowship delivers.”
Wes Steele
CEO, Steele Benefits
“Orr’s recruitment process handles the hard work of rigorously vetting the candidates. Orr understands our business and connects us with candidates who are the best fit for our company.”
Wendi Grayson
SHRM-CP, Director of Human Resources, Remodel Health
“Every organization is looking for incredible talent to join its ranks…Orr Fellowship’s programming and support sets our recent graduates up for post-grad success.”
Todd Richardson
COO, Indiana University
“We know part of what we’re funding through Orr is the leadership development piece – creating genuine professional experiences and bringing in speakers to aid in their ongoing growth.”
Doug Allgood
CEO, Blackink IT
“It would be a missed opportunity to not continue going back to Orr Fellowship to find these talented individuals who will help influence our company’s future.”
Bo Dietrick
President, Robert Dietrick Company
Why Partner with Orr Fellowship
Orr Fellows are college seniors or recent graduates who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership experience, and a commitment to contributing to Indiana’s business community. All candidates must have a cumulative 3.2 GPA or higher, authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship, and an expected graduation date within the eligible class year. Students from universities across the country may apply, or partner companies may identify potential Fellows through their own recruitment processes. If selected, Fellows commit to living in Indianapolis or Evansville for the duration of the two-year Fellowship.
Candidates who apply to Orr Fellowship go through a four-stage recruitment process from August through December: application, Orr network interviews, re-application, and Finalist Day. Each stage includes both an action component and an enrichment experience, allowing candidates to interact with current Fellows, board members, and the executive team. This structure evaluates not only academic achievement, but leadership capacity, initiative, and alignment with partner company needs. The result is a highly vetted pool of adaptable, high-agency professionals.
Partner companies can identify their own Orr Fellow candidates for consideration, or leave the recruitment process to Orr until Finalist Day. On Finalist Day, companies typically interview 8–9 finalists. Interviews can be tailored to a specific role or used to assess broader skills and cultural fit. Many companies extend offers the same day, with additional matches continuing through the spring.
Fellows participate in structured programming throughout the two-year experience, with sessions occurring either on dedicated professional development days or outside core work hours to minimize disruption to full-time responsibilities. Programming includes leadership training, a business leader speaker series, nonprofit consulting projects, pitch and case competitions, and skill-building workshops led by partners such as Advisa. The curriculum is intentionally designed to strengthen business acumen, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills while complementing on-the-job performance. Upon achieving alumni status, Fellows may receive MBA program credit for portions of the curriculum through select university partnerships.
Orr Fellowship is a two-year commitment. Partner companies hire Fellows into full-time roles, and Fellows participate in structured programming throughout that period. Many Fellows remain with their partner companies beyond the two years as they continue progressing in their careers or pursue graduate education.
Many companies partner with Orr Fellowship for multiple years and increase their volume of Fellows over time. Organizations that are enthusiastic about developing early-career talent and building a long-term leadership pipeline often continue participating because of the retention outcomes and consistent access to high-performing graduates. Our program is designed to create lasting partnerships, not one-time placements.
Yes. Orr Fellowship is happy to facilitate conversations with current or former partner companies so you can hear directly about their experience. These discussions often provide helpful insight into recruitment, onboarding, leadership development, and long-term retention outcomes.
Partner companies provide a full-time salary plus benefits for each Fellow and offer 11 days of dedicated PTO annually for Fellowship programming and leadership development activities. In addition, partners make an annual investment of $7,000 per Fellow to support programming, including the business leader speaker series, nonprofit consulting, pitch and case competitions, and professional leadership training. This investment supports structured development, ongoing support, and the broader Fellowship network. Many partners view this as a cost-effective alternative to traditional recruitment and onboarding processes, and have even begun bringing candidates to Orr Fellowship for consideration in recent years.
On average, 66% of Orr Fellows remain with their partner company beyond the two-year Fellowship. Many continue advancing internally, while others pursue graduate school or entrepreneurial opportunities. This retention rate reflects both the strength of the recruitment process and the emphasis on leadership development and meaningful work experiences.
Become an Orr Fellowship Partner
Orr Fellows at Work
See how Orr Fellowship contributes to real business outcomes and leadership development across Indiana. Explore stories highlighting innovation, impact, and long-term career opportunities created through the Fellowship experience.
