Entrepreneurial Companies

How Will You Measure Your Life?

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 by Brandon Russell

Success is measured differently by each person. The school you attended, the company for which you work, the balance in your bank account, among other criteria, are all yardsticks by which people measure personal success.

I was recently handed an article by my CEO, asked to read it and share my thoughts.

The article came from the Harvard Business Review, and was authored by Clayton M. Christensen (Yes, the Clay Christensen who penned The Innovator's Dilemma - the penultimate authority on disruptive technology, and a great read for anyone interested in technology and how it interacts with and impacts society.)

The article, titled, "How Will You Measure Your Life," discusses the common pitfalls college and graduate school students experience when plotting their futures - and puts forth a simple, yet poignant truth - success is defined by how you, not others, measure your value and merit.

A Harvard Business School professor, Christensen's theories on management, disruptive technology, and leadership serve as the foundation of his lectures as he empowers his students to dissect real-life organizations and understand how decisions and practices, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, can have a major impact on an organization.

That's all great, but I know those of you who have bothered to continue reading are wondering, "How does this relate to me? Why is this relevant to the Orr Fellowship, and why do they let you write these blogs, Brandon?"

I was getting to that. But first I had to lay some groundwork. On the last day of class each semester, Christensen asks his students to turn these theoretical lenses on themselves. How have their decisions, even small ones, impacted their lives, and eventually led them to where they are today?

He asks them to study themselves, and find answers to 3 simple questions:

How can I be sure I'll be happy in my career?

How can I be sure my relationships with my friends and family become an enduring source of happiness?

How can I stay out of jail?

Okay, the third question is a little odd, but Christensen was classmates with former Enron President and current resident of the Englewood, Colorado Correctional Facility, Jeffrey Skilling - so it's relevant.

After reading the article, I turned these lenses on myself and the decisions I've made that have led me to where I am, and have reached out to others in the Orr Fellowship to do the same here's what I've found:

1) How can I be sure I'll be happy in my career?

This was big for me. Like many other Orr Fellows, and I'm sure many Orr Fellowship candidates - I had offers for distinguished post grad jobs from companies whose names have serious brand equity, companies where my entry-level paycheck would have allowed me to purchase many leather-bound books and housing that smells of rich mahogany, but with me, as with the other Orr Fellows I included in my little experiment - it isn't all about the money, the title, or the bravado that comes from saying, "I work for Company X."

We joined the Orr Fellowship and took positions at high-growth startups because of the opportunity the program offers. The opportunity to network with professionals and leaders in the community, to grow personally and professionally, and the opportunity to create strategies for our lives. What the Orr Fellowship lacked in glamour, our clout, it has made up in spades through the opportunities we've been afforded.

Orr Fellowship companies are some of the best places to work in Indiana, and the entrepreneurial spirit in each organization, and the dedication to the personal and individual success of each employee is something you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere but a high-growth startup.

2) How can I be sure my relationships with my friends and family become an enduring source of happiness?

I know. This is a blog about work, and business, and technology, not the Dr. Phil Show. But, It's time to get personal. Plus, let's face it - to be productive at work, you need to be happy outside of work, and vice-versa. Relating this to my, and others' time in the Orr Fellowship, the common thread was the relationships I've developed within the program ARE an enduring source of happiness for me. Digging deeper, it's not just the relationships with other Fellows that add value to our experiences, it's our relationships with our non-Fellow co-workers, our executive sponsors, and the people who speak at our Business Leader Meetings, who augment our experiences.

Yes, as Orr Fellows we spend a lot of time together and get to know each other on a personal level. But our culture as an organization, goes beyond that. We develop common bonds. We become friends. And these interactions, both positive and negative, ensure we continually grow as professionals and as people.

3) How can I stay out of jail?

I don't really need to go into much detail on this one - it's pretty self explanatory. Just don't do anything illegal. One Fellow went a philosophical on us and asked, "Why does jail have to mean prison?" He continued, "I think sometimes people build jails for themselves as a result of the choices they make, so I would challenge everyone to not only stay away from the illegal, but go one step further and stay away from the immoral, the ill-advised, and the unjust, as well. I'd challenge us to live lives of which we can be proud, not just try to stay out of jail - because a lot of guilty people aren't in prison."

At the end of his article, Christensen offered one extremely sage piece of advice, and that's how I'll end this post.

"Choose the right yardstick."

Only you know what's best for you. Do not measure your success by how others measure you. Choose the path that will allow you to be happy in your career, happy in your relationships and interactions with others, and keep you out of jail.

If you've read this far, I applaud, and thank you. I can be a bit long-winded. If you'd like to read Clay Christensen's full article, and turn this lens on yourself (I'd recommend it), Click Here.

The ROWE Model

Friday, September 9, 2011 by Ashton Chaffee

I recently read an article in the IndyStar that introduced the ROWE (Results Only Work Environment) model to my business vocabulary. Pre-Orr Fellowship, I would have probably thought that this sounded like a cool ideal, but not something that would really ever be implemented full-heartedly by employers. However, after almost four months working with my host company, Slane Capital Partners, I’m beginning to see just how valuable some companies find it.

With ROWE, the attitude is, “as long as you do exemplary work efficiently, I don’t mind whether or not you do it in the typical 9-5 workday.” This attitude is becoming more and more prevalent within the startup community – a community where work happens and inspiration hits at all hours of the day. I’m lucky enough to find myself working under this sort of model…and even though I go into the office during typical work hours every day, just knowing that I don’t have to worry about scheduling dentist appointments or being home for my brother when he gets off the school bus is a huge relief. And honestly, I think it’s something that makes me more committed to my work; if I felt “constrained” by having to be in the office at set hours, every single day, no exceptions and no freedom whatsoever, I don’t think I’d be as willing to do things like check off-hours emails or the occasional night/weekend work. Having the freedom to work “whenever” actually makes me want to work whenever – even if I’m not at the office. I feel more excited about doing work (as most ROWE employees do), which leads to me doing better work…and I’d have to say that’s something that pays off for all parties involved.

I’m not going to say that my experience can be generalized over all the fellows, but I think that having the flexibility to work from home or take a few hours off periodically is more common than not. That’s yet another aspect of the Fellowship I love – you’re given a unique opportunity to work within unconventional methods. While some larger companies are trying to adopt this model, that’s not happening at a large scale…and most definitely not for the people who just started working less than six months ago…but smaller entrepreneurial companies are able to implement it without a problem.

Being in the Orr Fellowship means being on the brink of something new, the edge where innovation and technology meet. While something like the ROWE model is an experience and a work style that many aren’t used to, with Indy’s surge towards entrepreneurial ventures and the world’s increasing dependence on technology for communication (rather than face-to-face interaction), it’s very possible that the ROWE model is going to be the model under which our generation primarily works.

It’s an exciting future…one that I’m sure is completely different than what I would have faced if not in the Orr Fellowship. If you think ROWE sounds intriguing, email me at ashton.chaffee@orrfellowship.org to learn more about how it applies to my Orr experience and to see if it could be right for you!

The Young and The Proud

Thursday, August 25, 2011 by Breana Buchler

Last week, I received a very interesting email. This message informed me that Mayor Ballard, and Governor Mitch Daniels would be paying a visit to Angie's List, my host company, the following day. As I drove up to the ever eclectic Angie's List campus the next morning, the energy was undeniable. The entire company was counting down the minutes until 9:15, when the two were scheduled to arrive. At about 9:00am, my department was buzzing was eagerness. We all walked over to the courtyard where a mix of employees, including many Orr Fellowship alumni, sat on hand-me-down picnic tables, looking on as Angie Hicks introduced the mayor and the governor.

The first statement Governor Daniels made was that he was proud of this organization and the impact it has made on the near east side of Indianapolis. As he continued his speech, I could not help but feel pride as well. I am proud to be a part of Angie's List. I am proud to be associated with one of the Best Places to Work in Indianapolis; a company that will be providing over 500 jobs in the city of Indianapolis in the next 5 years. I then looked around at all of the Orr Fellow alumni, and thought about their positions within Angie's List, as well as all of the entrepreneurial endeavors they work on after hours and the career opportunities they are pursuing.

I could not help but feel, in that moment, that I was beginning to fully realize the mission of the Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship in Indiana. Angie Hicks, Co-founder of my host company, is motivating me to take a career risk. The current Orr Fellows and alumni I associate with, aside from their distinguished post-grad jobs, are motivating me to do more with my energy than just a 9-5 job. Governor Daniels and Mayor Ballard are motivating me to make a tangible impact on the city of Indianapolis.

As I left my office that day, my head was buzzing with opportunities to pursue around the city. I spent that evening sending emails and brainstorming how I could give back to this community that is offering so much to me during my fellowship experience. I found myself reaching out to connections I have already made through the Fellowship to offer help in various volunteer avenue. I was beginning to take advantage of post-graduate networking in Indianapolis. I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to experience the influence of city and state leaders just three short months out of college.

Attention College Seniors: You'd be crazy not to look at the Orr Fellowship

Thursday, August 25, 2011 by Alec Synnestvedt

Today marks my two month anniversary at T2 Systems. What's it like so far?

Awesome. I love my team, my executive mentors, and the work I get to do daily. I'm already contributing meaningfully. Nothing feels better than that. Of course, a grown-up salary and this great city make me feel pretty good, too. Yep, T2 Systems was voted one of the best places to work in Indiana and one of the INC 5000 for the sixth year.

Plenty of classmates that graduated with me in May are still in training at their respective jobs. And, unfortunately, plenty more are still on the job hunt. But you already know that the Orr Fellowship involves an exciting job opportunity at a fascinating company. My job is to tell you what you can't learn on our website.

As promised, here's a bit of what I've been up to in the past few weeks:

Elevated my host company's social media presence across all channels
Helped revamp my host company's blog plan & wrote a few posts
Attended a concert at the Vogue
Rode my new bike from my Woodruff Place apartment to Mass Ave downtown countless times
Spent the weekend with the rest of the awesome Orr Fellows on our retreat at Bradford Woods--you guys rock!
Written a few email marketing campaigns, one of which almost had a 40% open rate

Interested? Cool. Are you qualified? I hope so! Here are the requirements:

Cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher (students with as low as a 3.2 GPA will be considered if they have extensive leadership experience)
Demonstrated leadership potential (leaders in on- and off-campus clubs/organizations/athletics)
Strong interest in entrepreneurial business or organizational leadership
An expected graduation date in 2012 with one or more undergraduate major
Graduate of an Indiana college or university (or a native Hoosier graduating from any school around the country)

The application deadline is quickly approaching! All you have to do to get started is submit your resume.

Like a good whiskey

Sunday, August 7, 2011 by Alec Synnestvedt

The Orr Fellowship just keeps getting sweeter as time passes.

When I was going through the recruitment process almost a year ago, I was all kinds of fired up about the chance to be mainlined into a high growth Indiana company. The prospect of learning from host company executives and Indianapolis business leaders in my first job out of DePauw University had my mouth watering. The idea of gaining more experience in two years than most college grads get in five thrilled me. And in December, after I earned a position in the Orr Fellowship and my host company, T2 Systems, I could hardly wait to get started in June.

But I also had a lot of unanswered questions. I had no idea what life as an Orr Fellow was like. As a creative writing major, I didn't know what to expect from the tech industry. And, being from Detroit, I wondered about what life in Indianapolis had in store for me.

Maybe you, like me, are excited by the Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship. (You would be silly to regard it as anything other than a wonderful opportunity). And maybe you also want to know more about what it comes with. So my next few posts will constitute a snapshot of my experience so far, a month and a half in.

Here are some of the things I did today:

Attended a Venture Club of Indianapolis meeting with Chris Palmer and an executive at my company. Our CEO spoke on the guest pannel.
Helped develop my company's social media presence
Worked on my salesforce database skills while sending messages out to customers
Had a bbq pork sandwich and a beer in the office as part of our thirsty Thursday tradition.
Wrote this post.

Questions? Email me at alec.synnestvedt@orrfellowship.org

2011 Orr Fellow: Conner Burt

Saturday, June 25, 2011 by Fellow Stories

Name: Conner Burt

Alma Mater: Butler University

Major: Economics

Host Company: iGoDigital

Hometown: Elkhart, IN

Bio:
I'm the type of person that loves challenges--be it climbing a mountain or playing a soccer match. I think pushing myself beyond the limits of mental constraints drives me to carry on day to day with humility and excellence. I've had a tremendous experience playing soccer for Butler University the past four years and am ready to dive into new experiences, making it a point to enjoy every moment and build lasting relationships along the way.

Why did you choose to be a part of the Orr Fellowship?

I was impressed by the character and ambition of all those involved with the Fellowship. It's a group of big-thinkers, high achievers, and accomplished young professionals ready to tackle challenges in their host companies and beyond.

What are your long-term career ambitions?

Love entrepreneurial ventures of all kinds. I can see myself eventually growing a business from the ground up with a team of A-players that share similar ambitions and passions. Needless to say, I'm ready and excited to allow all of the experiences between now and then shape my path.

Just the facts:
For me, there's nothing like the sound of a blue-ribbon trout stream and a four-count rhythm and the hope that a fish will rise (to steal a line from A River Runs Through It). I love to fly-fish. Take me outdoors--and I'm happy--be it backpacking, mountain biking, or snowshoeing. I pick up a new hobby every week; in my repertoire of useful skills right now are brewing beer, roasting coffee and climbing.

2011 Orr Fellow: Kyle Rawn

Wednesday, June 22, 2011 by Fellow Stories

Name: Kyle Rawn

Alma Mater: Rose-Hulman

Major: Chemical Engineering

Host Company: Fifth Gear

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Bio:
I was born and raised in Indianapolis. I am looking forward to graduating and heading to Southern Europe after graduation. My passion is lifting weights and cooking, both of which I am ready to begin doing every day. I love the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, backpacking, mountain biking and scuba diving are things I enjoy but I am always looking for the next challenge.

Why did you choose to be a part of the Orr Fellowship?
I was in an entrepreneurial class and the professor was always promoting the Orr Fellowship. When career fair came around I spoke with a Fellow and really felt that the experience was very unique, especially for engineers. I thought it would separate me from my peers and allow me to challenge myself as an individual. I understand engineering well, but do not understand how business, marketing, and finance play into finished product. I was also excited for the opportunity to be around others working similar goals as myself. Finally, I saw the opportunity to take on more than a beginning engineer role would offer me.

What are your long-term career ambitions?
I see myself going back to a large pharmaceutical company after my two years with the Fellowship. During that time I see myself beginning a nutrition company. I also see myself getting actively involved in politics and potentially serving at some level. When I am satisfied with what I have done in business and politics, I see myself starting a small quaint restaurant and retiring on a farm.

What will your first role be at your host company?
I believe I will begin by distribution mapping the 400,00 square foot warehouse in Missouri. During this time I also ook forward to bringing new clients on board and learning more about the technology.

Just the facts:

Playing guitar and listening to music is relaxing. Cooking and working out eliminates stressing. I can’t wait to graduate and travel.

2011 Orr Fellow: Maggie Voelker

Wednesday, June 22, 2011 by Fellow Stories

Name: Maggie Voelker
Alma Mater: Miami University (Ohio)
Major: Kinesiology & Health, Business Management & Organizaitons
Host Company: One Click Internet Ventures
Hometown: Mishawaka, IN

Bio:
I don't half-ass (sorry, bad word) anything. Even when I say I don't care and I'm just "throwing things together," I'm not. As with all Fellows, I'm a passionate learner and a diligent worker. I enjoy meeting new people and hearing their stories. I tend to strike up conversations (whether people want to talk to me or not) just about everywhere. I'm a health-nut and love to be active...and then relaxing with a movie afterwards. I love the beach, concerts, cooking, traveling, sporting events and spending time with family and friends.

Why did you choose to be a part of the Orr Fellowship?
The Fellowship, and work at an entrepreneurial company, is all about collaboration, teamwork, and exceeding expectations. I share these characteristics and loved the idea of being a part of something greater than myself.

What are your long-term career ambitions?
Good question! I hope to combine my interests in science and business, with my passion for people and relationships. If anyone has suggestions...send them my way.

What will your first role be at your host company?
Working on the Organic Marketing Team for my first few months at One Click.

Just the facts:
Dogs>Cats
Chocolate>Vanilla
Blonde>Brown
Wine>Beer
Phone>Text
Coke>Pepsi
Harry Potter>Twilight
Cake>Pie
Facebook>Twitter
Miami of Ohio...no comparison.

Indianapolis Startup Scene

Saturday, January 8, 2011 by Kate Carrico

A recent article by the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) highlighted multiple events and happenings in the Indianapolis area that point to the ever-growing entrepreneurial community here.

The article discusses Hackers and Founders, a monthly meetup that brings entrepreneurial-minded people together to hear three business pitches for high growth start-ups. Organized by Matt Hunckler, a current Orr Fellow, the monthly gatherings now reach around 200 people! From experienced entrepreneurs like Chris Baggott to young people such as current Orr Fellows and everyone in between, these meetups offer a chance to network, bounce ideas off one another, and learn about running a start up company -- all while enjoying food and drinks! If you're interested in starting a career in entrepreneurship or have an interest in the startup scene, this event is not one to miss.

The article also gave a shout out to the Orr Fellowship for its ability to bring young entrepreneurs to Indianapolis to work entry-level jobs in startup companies. This year, we've grown the Fellowship once again by taking nearly 30 new Fellows working for around 20 companies. By bringing some of the best and brightest recent grads to the Indianapolis area, the Fellowship is doing its part to keep fueling the entrepreneurial fire.

We're excited to see what 2011 has in store for each of us, the Fellowship as a whole, and the Indianapolis entrepreneurial community!

No Tree Luggers This Year?!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011 by Allison Bowen

Yes folks, you read that right. Unfortunately, the Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship is not taking on the challenge of lugging trees. You may think that it's because our new Fellowship class just couldn't cut it. While you might be correct (I'm a second year Fellow, I can say that, right?), the reality is that this wonderful program just didn't fit this year.

With the expansion of our new class, we've begun growing in other ways. For example, our business meetings just keep getting better and better - Gov. Mitch Daniels, Ellen Annala (CEO of the United Way of Central Indiana)... And more! Not to mention, we've all been incredibly busy with each of our high growth start-ups. Your first job is never easy, but since we are all holding a full-time position in such fast-paced and growing companies, our jobs keep up hopping even more.

So you may be wondering, what in the world will you do with your tree this year without Tree Luggers?! Here are a few options that we've been able to locate around the city:

The Indy Parks recycling locations:

http://www.sustainindy.org/press-events.cfm?news_id=356
- This is a list of the recycling locations – individuals wanting to recycle their trees here will need to bring the trees there themselves or find another group/company who is offering a pick-up service.

Pick-up: Simple Mans Tree Service

http://www.smts.us/
- Pick-up is $20. (Yes, we checked and they are highly rated on Angie’s List!)

Thank you to each and every one of you that has chosen to take part in Tree Luggers in the past. We certainly appreciate your generosity and could not have done it without you! Through the years we've been able to make some great donations and help out many worthwhile causes.

Keep an eye out in the future... Just because we're busy with our entrepreneurship careers doesn't mean we won't be taking the time to stop and help others!

Bofo Breakfast

Thursday, December 9, 2010 by Kate Carrico

This morning, I was lucky enough to go to breakfast at Cafe Patachou with three other first-year Fellows and Scott Brenton, the Chair of the Fellowship Board of Directors. While we enjoyed some of the delicious food, we discussed all things Orr Fellowship and the current and future state of the program.

We discussed recruitment, which wrapped up on Friday when our 21 2011 host companies interviewed around 40 finalists and began their difficult decision making process. We're so excited to welcome our new Orr Fellows in the upcoming weeks as they accept jobs at some wonderful entrepreneurial companies in Indianapolis!

We also talked about different initiative areas, such as service and our international trip! Our Fellowship class will be the very first group to get to go on an international trip at the conclusion of our two year commitment. Not only will we get to travel abroad to experience high growth start-ups in the international business community, but we will get to go with 20 of our closest friends! We get to work with our Board of Directors to choose the destination of the trip--who knows where we'll end up going!

The Orr Fellowship has a lot to offer any qualified college graduate. While we're no longer accepting applicants for the 2011 class of Fellows, it will be recruitment season before we know it for the class of 2012!

Recruitment Season Half-Way Point

Thursday, November 4, 2010 by Kate Carrico

Orr Fellowship recruitment season is about halfway through! We've reviewed thousands of resumes, interviewed around 200 candidates, and selected the candidates to move on to the Reception on the Circle (ROTC) coming up on Thursday at the Mavris. All this work to bring some of the best and brightest minds from Indiana to some of the most exciting high growth start-ups! We're very excited about the talent of the candidates that we have continuing through our selection process.

So what's next for those looking for jobs with entrepreneurial companies in Indianapolis? ROTC is an event where candidates get a chance to meet all of the current Fellows, Fellowship directors, and host company directors. Various members of the Fellowship share stories about their experiences and hopes for the future direction of the Fellowship. After ROTC, candidates will move to Finalists' Day in which candidates interview with the executives of the high-growth Indianapolis companies. Each candidate will interview with four to five host companies and will know within the week whether they have been extended an offer.

We're looking forward to welcoming the next class of Orr Fellows!

Indianapolis Living

Thursday, October 14, 2010 by Kate Carrico

If your friends are anything like mine were senior year of college, a bunch of them are talking about getting out of Indiana after school is over and heading to a big city like Chicago. You could even be one of those people that thinks Indiana is only made up of corn and basketball and can't wait to leave after graduation...

But don't discount Indiana that fast! As the commercials for Indiana Beach say, there's more than corn in Indiana! Indianapolis is home to one phenomenal football team, a huge number of conferences and sporting events, multiple cultural districts, museums, art galleries, and a symphony orchestra. There is always something going on around town and it's a breeze to get involved. Also, there are many great neighborhoods to live in, the commute times are short, and the city is easy to navigate!

If you're interested in high growth start-ups or technology jobs, Indianapolis could also be for you! There is a great small business community as well as a phenomenal network of high tech start-ups throughout the city.

The Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship is a two-year commitment for new college grads that takes advantage of the business culture in Indianapolis and looks to keep it booming by bringing incredible young talent to promising companies. From industry leaders such as ExactTarget to up and coming companies such as BlueLock, the Orr Fellowship partners with the outstanding business community to provide a phenomenal experience for both host companies and Orr Fellows.

If you're a college senior looking for jobs, check out the Orr Fellowship today!

Real Expectations

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 by Jill Goldschmidt

After attending several of the Governor Bob Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship recruiting events, I have discovered a common concern held by many senior candidates. As if the job search isn’t stressful enough, many college seniors are concerned that recruiters are attempting to “sell” them on the job at hand, leading them to hold false expectations about what the job will really be like.

My response to their concerns is always the same. We’re not here to “sell” you on anything. Our responses to your questions and accounts of our experiences are completely genuine. When we say the Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship offers executive mentorship, it’s the truth. Last month, I went to lunch with the President of my company where we talked casually about his career successes and some of the business challenges he’s faced. On a more frequent basis, I experience executive mentorship through some of the projects I am working on with the VP of Technology. He’s taken a direct role in some of the critical learning experiences that have pushed me to grow at my host company.

When we say that the Orr Fellowship offers networking and social opportunities, we mean it. Aside from our monthly Business Leader Meetings, there is a steady stream of networking opportunities, whether it’s attending a technology-based convention in Indianapolis or attending an Orr Fellowship social event, like the one being held this month, where guests include Orr Fellowship Board Members, Orr Fellowship Alumni, current Orr Fellows, Host Company Executives, and other special guests.

So far, I have completed four months of the Orr Fellowship, and I can honestly say that it has lived up to and even exceeded my expectations. The Orr Fellowship doesn’t need a sales pitch. It speaks genuinely of itself.

Vamos Rafa!! Vamos Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship!!!

Sunday, September 19, 2010 by Alex Lau

Yesterday was a perfect example of a challenging yet rewarding experience the Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship provides. I was 30 minutes outside of Valparaiso University Thursday evening driving from Indianapolis for the career fair, when it hit me. I was the lead recruiter for the Orr Fellowship at Valpo. There was not an experienced HR person by my side to be a crutch. Instead, I was given the responsibility alongside my roommate and current Orr Fellow, Max Yoder. This is the perfect example of the types of roles and responsibilities offered to Orr Fellows as part of this program. These are roles that place fellows in challenging situations that help them grow as young professionals.

Another example of this is at Apparatus, a company that has grown immensely in the past 2 years. I was given the opportunity to help create a position for internal processes by planning, implementing, and now, soon to be training a new hire for the position. To have this sense of ownership is quite rewarding.

The 5 points I made for joining the Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship in my previous blog have all been met or exceeded. But a characteristic I failed to foresee is the entrepreneurial aspect of the fellowship (even though it is part of the name of the program). When I started in June, I focused on the day-to-day work, the small projects I was placed on. 3 months into the fellowship, I can honestly say that my mind has been transformed from this day-to-day mindset to more of a visionary. By that I mean, I'm asking myself questions like, "Where is Apparatus heading? How did it grow from a 1st stage entrepreneurial company to a 2nd stage? And how will it handle expansion to the 3rd stage of entrepreneurial growth?"

I am a believer that people are influenced by their surroundings. Because of the exposure to the business leaders and entrepreneurs of Indianapolis, it is hard to maintain that day-to-day mindset without seeing what is going on as a whole. This has been a truly rewarding experience and is the characteristic of the Orr Fellowship that has enhanced my first occupation out of college.

By the way, I am a tennis/Rafael Nadal fan.

Vamos Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship!!!

Orr Recruiting Off to a Great Start

Tuesday, September 14, 2010 by Brant Howell

Recently, Bob Reish, Matt Barloh and I attended the first career fair of the season! We traveled north to our Alma mater, The University of Notre Dame, and after spending the morning promoting the Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship in front of several classes, we moved to the fair to further spread the word about this amazing program.

We met some great candidates and had a ton of fun getting to know many of the good prospects for the Orr Fellowship Class of 2011. We had conversations with people we had asked to come see us, and also a surprising number of folks who sought us out after they had heard of our program from friends.

Many candidates were not specifically looking for entrepreneurial companies or technology jobs in Indianapolis, but when we began discussing the fantastic networking opportunities in Indianapolis, and the high growth start-ups we work with, we could see their interest begin to swell. Of course, many of our best candidates had serious offers from big companies and other prestigious post-graduate programs, so with this strong competition it was even more incredible to see the how their eyes would light up when we discussed the opportunities at the Orr Fellowship. Obviously the advantages the three of us saw in the Orr Fellowship resonate with other people.

The recruiting season is off to a great start but there is still much to do. It is obvious already however that the word is spreading about this great opportunity. With a little luck this recruiting season will be the best yet.

Orr Fellowship Indiana - Interview Process

Sunday, September 12, 2010 by Jill Goldschmidt

So here I am, three months into my first year as an Orr Fellow in the Governor Bob Orr Entrepreneurial Fellowship, and I find myself wondering how I got to this great place in my life. How did I "survive" each round of the recruitment process? How was I selected on Finalist Day to be a part of the largest class of Orr Fellows to date?

The other day, myself and another Orr Fellow went to lunch with the President of our host company, Right On Interactive. As we talked about the early days of the company's existence, the conversation eventually turned to how we were selected on Finalist Day from among 40+ highly qualified individuals. Our curiosity had overcome us at that point. On a lighthearted note, we wanted to know if the interview process was as grueling for him as it was for us. More importantly, we wanted to know how the President of a 4-year-old company chooses the people who he will ultimately entrust his high growth start-up company with. After all, it is the people of a company that carry out its mission and goals, from its delicate infancy to its robust existence.

The brevity of his response surprised me. He simply stated, "Character is what I look for." He went on to say that above everything else he valued the character of a person. Their qualifications, leadership ability, and overall talent, came second. So, as you strive to excel in all academic areas of your life, remember that the strength of your character counts just as much. The two go hand-in-hand.

Food and Fellowship

Wednesday, September 8, 2010 by Kate Carrico

Last night, I was lucky enough to go out to dinner with a group of Orr Fellows to a sushi place on Mass Ave. As we sat devouring our sushi rolls and bartering with each other in an attempt to try all the different varieties, I realized that our conversation covered a lot of topics that are central to the Fellowship.

Nick talked about how he had had dinner with someone he had met at an Indy Hub event, an organization dedicated to post-graduate networking and involvement in Indianapolis. Like Indy Hub, the Orr Fellowship offers new graduates a phenomenal chance to interact with top company executives while also building a network of young professionals.

Matt talked about the upcoming Hackers and Founders meeting, a group of entrepreneurial people that meet up every month to discuss Indianapolis start ups and business ideas. Multiple Fellows have attended the meetings and say they're a great way to feed their entrepreneurial spirit. Matt actually presented a business idea last month and received some great feedback!

Lauren volunteered to organize a casual Fellow get-together for the upcoming Colts game. While all the Fellows may not be huge Colts fans, everyone is so excited to continue developing the inter-Fellow relationships. Especially for those graduates that may have been anxious about moving to a new city and not knowing many people, the Fellows provide a never-ending social calendar and 35 new friends!

Corey and I shared some of the latest happenings at our host company, Compendium. We had a company meeting yesterday and left it with a renewed confidence that we truly are working for one of the best high growth start-ups in Indianapolis. In addition, our departments are collaborating to expand all employees' understanding of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and web page set up. While our reading assignments kind of feel like school again, we're very thankful that our host company is so dedicated to helping each of us develop our skill sets. I definitely count these learning sessions as a huge benefit of working in a fast growing Indianapolis company!

If our dinner conversation sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, make sure you check out the Orr Fellowship today!

Maximize The Alpha

Tuesday, September 7, 2010 by Trey Buck

In the financial world, the term "alpha" is meant to signify a measure of performance that is adjusted for risk. But how do we measure risk in the real world? Are some entry-level jobs in start-ups more or less risky than others? How can we know when we've found a winner, that coveted "diamond in the ruff"?

Some may say that it is nearly impossible to assess the risks of any new venture considering the volatility of markets, the unpredictable nature of competition, and the influence of shear luck and ingenuity. While some of that may be true, there are certainly places that have been historically more successful than others: the Silicon Valley specifically. But for the last decade or more, the Valley has seen stiff competition, with distinguished post-grad jobs popping up across the nation (and the world).

I would argue that Indiana is one of the places most suited for companies hiring new grads to establish their roots: our cost of living is significantly lower than other states; our central location within the US places almost any major city within a day's drive; and Indiana has managed to keep its state and local government budgets contained while others have moved even closer to bankruptcy.

And these advantages have not gone unnoticed by the entrepreneurial community: Start-Up Indiana is focused on developing high-growth start-ups in the region; Indianapolis now has its own start-up newsletter, Startup Digest, a free service helping entrepreneurs find events that might peak their interests; and the Orr Fellowship which is aimed at finding and growing tomorrows business leaders through placement in entry-level positions in entrepreneurial companies. All of these initiatives are great examples of organizations driving jobs and opportunity within Indiana and sewing the seeds of growth and fortune.

So when thinking about how to evaluate job opportunities, remember to find those places that minimize the risk of failure and maximize the chances of success. Look to the local community and their support for up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Ask questions. Seek guidance. And most importantly, do all you can to maximize the alpha in your life and career.

Oh, the Possibilities!

Monday, September 6, 2010 by Nick Brauer

It’s funny, you know, how everyday life can get in the way. We start out with some sort of plan—even just a short-term intention—yet are later shocked to find we’re somewhere we never intended to be. It’s like going online “just for second” and an hour later finding you’re reading some obscure article about “The Principles of Collective Animal Behavior.” God only knows how you got there.

One day a few years back, out to lunch with a mentor from Kimberly-Clark, I found myself asking how he kept his busy life in order. With a fast-paced career, a wife, a few kids, how did this guy even find a second to talk to me? “I have clear priorities,” he said, “and I stick to them.” Okay, great, I thought. Priorities—I have a million of them, I remarked. He smiled. You have to treat life like a pickle jar, he told me. My writhed face must have confirmed I hadn’t heard the analogy before, because he went on.

Yes, a pickle jar. You have finite time, energy, and resources—that’s the jar. First, you have to fill up the jar with your big rocks—those things most important to you, those that if you accomplished nothing else, you’d still be happy. Next, smaller stones fill in the spaces left between the rocks with those things you’d really like to do. Then, pebbles fill in a little more. And then sand until you think you couldn’t possibly fit another molecule in the jar. Finally, you drown the rocks, pebbles, and sand with water—using those few minutes here and there to accomplish the least important things in your life.

By the end, I was smiling. There it was, the answer—so simple: It’s impossible to have a million number one priorities. And I’ve learned more since then, especially that it’s perfectly okay to let some things fall to the wayside if they don’t align with your priorities. Scott Brenton talked about our priorities as Orr Fellows—first to do outstanding work for the host companies, second to help grow the Fellowship. I would contend being part of an entrepreneurial fellowship is only a part of my life, albeit now a large part. Working at one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S. certainly demands much of my time, but that’s okay because my work is a top priority for me right now. So I ask, what are your top priorities?

It takes a little reflection to figure out if you’re really spending the majority of your time on your top priorities, but I challenge you to do so. You’ll be happier six months from now when you pause to reflect upon where you’ve ended up. Because perhaps unlike in the past, you’ll be very near where you wanted to be.

The Orr Fellowship provides an opportunity for recent graduates to be placed in fast paced jobs within some of the top entrepreneurial companies in Indianapolis. For more information about the Fellowship program and how to apply, visit www.orrfellowship.org.