Orr Fellowship Aids Recent Grads in Career Transition

INDIANAPOLIS — Goodbyes can be bittersweet. Recent graduates of the Orr Fellowship have found a smooth transition into their careers, thanks to the two-year program's focus on career development, community building, and continued learning.

"I've come to a good point in my career and it's time for next steps from me. Orr has helped me launch to that next step," said Grace Lansden, one of the 53 graduating members of the Class of 2023.

Orr Fellowship recruits recent college grads and develops them into the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs. The program's four core values are career, community, continued learning, and commitment.

"Through my job in HR and the fellowship and all the things I learned, I solidified that and honed in on what I want to do," Lansden said.

Orr has helped individuals like Kyler Bourne transition into the workforce. "It's definitely a great opportunity for you to jump-start your career and also have a huge community of fellows to be alongside," Bourne said.

"Thank you for taking me under your wing. I had such an opportunity to learn directly not only the greater fellowship," said First Year Orr Fellow Mariah Mason.

Orr Fellowship has an expansive network of about 650 alumni. President Stephen Emch says the program sets its fellows up for a competitive edge, at a difficult time for folks to enter the local workforce.

"It's certainly a tough time when you look at what's happening in the federal and state administration, it can kinda create a lot of question marks for people," Emch said.

A goal is to attract talent to live and work in Central Indiana. In fact, 84 percent of Orr Fellows stay in Indiana after graduation.

"I received a full-time offer to stay on after the fellowship," Lansden said.

"I signed an extension offer with my current company, so I'll stay with my current company, eimagine," Bourne said.