Graduate Fellowship

Finalist Day

Wednesday, November 30, 2011 by Breana Buchler

This time last year, Sally Reasoner and I ran into each other in the Student Union at DePauw University and began chatting while waiting in line for coffee – like most college seniors, we were living on caffeine for the first two weeks of December. We quickly discovered that we were both going through Finalist Day the upcoming Friday. We decided to ride to Indianapolis together and to stay overnight in Carmel, not wanting to risk morning traffic on I-70.

Thursday night we were frantic; poring over the info we had gathered on each host company and bombarding each other with questions. Which companies are you interviewing with? What do you think they will ask? I don’t even know what some of these companies do! What are they looking for?

I’m sure these very same thoughts are running through the minds of potential candidates this week. Current fellows as well as host company executives can attest that the Fellowship is interested in the “who”, not the “what”. We want to know who you are, rather than what your specific skills are. Finalist Day is an invaluable experience as well as exposure to post-graduate networking in Indianapolis. Ask yourself if you could envision yourself working with the executives interviewing you. Enjoy the energy and ambition surrounding you. The energy of Orr Fellows continuously motivates me.

This year, Sally Reasoner and I will once again be riding to Finalist Day together. I still live on caffeine; Sally has managed to kick the habit. This year, we are roommates and will be enjoying the company of our peers by hosting a pre-Finalist Day dinner at our apartment in Broad Ripple! This time last year, we had no idea what to expect of other potential candidates. In 6 short months we have gotten to know each other on a professional as well as social level. We have all come to respect each other’s interests and passions and formed lasting friendships.

Thursday night, we will once again find ourselves chattering away about Finalist Day. This year we are buzzing with excitement for the potential candidates, and eager for the new class to share in our experience.

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 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.

Fellows + Community

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 by Abbey Wilson

Tomorrow is certain be a gloomy day. In addition to the fact that local meteorologists are predicting rain and stoms, it also happens to be the day DePauw University begins classes for the 2011-2012 (wait, 2012!?) school year. While many friends (including my younger sister) enter the historic halls of Abury and the bright, welcoming rooms of Julian, I'll be at my desk weeping silently for the past 4 years that passed all too quickly and have left me counting PTO days for the rest of my life.

Perhaps I'm being too dramatic. Because alas, after graduating and being placed at a high-growth startup, I have something many of my DPU peers do not: The Orr Fellowship. This past weekend 40 of us "roughed it" in the deep woods of Martinsville, gathering to solve important issues with exercises such as capture the flag and campus golf. Oh, we had bonfires and smores, too.

I got to know many of the Fellows better during our stay in the middle of nowhere (no disrespect), and I continue to admire and appreciate each Fellow's unique talents and experiences. Each Fellow is so unlike the next, yet the group of us shares many key characteristics that defines our interest in high-growth Indianapolis companies, entrepreneurship careers and post-graduate networking.

This weekend showcased an ever-present human element to the Fellowship: accomplished, smart people with great ideas who also happen to be friends that get along, dance and cook together very well. Hearing this Fellowship community existed sold me on applying last Fall and now I'm experiencing it first-hand.

We can't wait to meet new faces interested in technology and business jobs in Indianapolis, because we're partners with some of the best places to work in Indiana, and because we're looking for more fun people to do fun things with :-)

Email me at abbey.wilson@orrfellowship.org or follow me on Twitter if you want to know more!

Juggling 2 Jobs

Monday, August 15, 2011 by Kyle Rawn

It seems like just yesterday that I graduated from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and took off for a month in Europe. Coming back was difficult, but starting at Fifth Gear, an Ecommerce fulfillment company looking to double revenue in five years, and the Orr Fellowship Indiana was an abrupt trek back to reality. However, it is great to be in a high-growth Indianapolis company, were the focus is on people. Management recognizes that in order for profitable growth, new people will need to be brought on; and brought on I was. On my very first day with Fifth Gear I left before lunch to visit our 500,000 square feet warehouse location in Louisiana, Missouri. Louisiana had the wonderful smells and feel of a small Middle American town with approximately a third of the town employed by Fifth Gear. I toured the twin warehouses on the outskirts of town, less than two miles from the center! The warehouse was hot and my stomach was growling for food, but the warehouse was never-the-less impressive. With thousands of horse, house restoration and enough contact lenses to keep me seeing for life, I was prepared to whip out my Visa and go on a never-ending shopping spree.

The next morning started with a delightful visit to a local favorite café called Daybreak, located a stone’s throw from the Mississippi River. A pleasant man took our orders. Delicious omelets, California style with spinach and feta cheese is what I got. At the end of breakfast, a nightshift worker recognized our badges and gave us recommendations on how to improve the warehouse. The recommendations were genuine and thorough. After breakfast, it was back to the warehouse. The community office that is shared by temporary visitors is quant with street views. The information I attained over the next few days advanced my knowledge incredibly more than sitting in Indy for four days starring at my computer wondering, “What does this Operations Analyst role I have really mean.” Later, I was invited to sit in on a freight meeting with our CEO, President, and VP of Operations; yet again emphasizing the honor it is to be an Orr Fellow. Two more days of business meetings and shadowing carried on like this. Except on the last day where we all splurged with homemade cinnamon donuts from Daybreak. It was hands down the greatest donut these taste buds have experienced.

The five hour ride back home allowed for reflection on what I learned, as well as a vital phone conference with my manager, we couldn’t find time to meet in Louisiana, further emphasizing exactly how important time is to growing companies. I walked away with valuable insight of what Fifth Gear does, but more importantly I put a face with a name and each person I met was able to do the same. The warehouse was hot, the restaurants were only opened a few nights a week, but the people had the right attitude needed for growth. The people were friendly and everyone acknowledge my existence in passing. It felt simply like home away from home.

In addition to my exciting new role with Fifth Gear on August 1^st the Orr Fellow crew met and I was placed in the Fellow Development Group. The group plans the all-Fellow retreat coming up in mid-August, as well as, five personal and professional growth seminars throughout the next year. Finally the group is responsible for smoothly transitioning our next class of Fellows. Though starting “two” jobs in quick session was a brain shock, I am already seeing the benefits from both. I am excited to spend more time with current Fellows and learn more about Ecommerce.

Business Leader Meeting with Rob Smith: President of Lilly Foundation

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 by Corey Kime

Today we had the amazing opportunity of having Rob Smith come and speak to us at our Orr Fellow Business Leader Meeting. Rob is the President of the Lilly Foundation and currently runs Lilly's Corporate Responsibility efforts. Rob spent over an hour talking with us about issues ranging from the responsibility of corporations in today's age to initiatives that the Lilly Foundation is working on to improve education and health care both in Indianapolis as well as worldwide. Below are a couple takeaways I had from his talk:

Just adding people will no longer solve the problem: Rob talked with us about how not too long ago, simply adding educated people to a country's workforce and not necessarily worrying about productivity gains within that workforce would bring about increases in economic growth for the country. That day in age is long gone now and becoming more productive as a workforce with less resources is driving economic growth much more than simply adding another body to the stem.
Finding new and innovative ideas to solve big problems is as important now as it ever has been: Much of the time in conversation with Rob revolved around the issues that the Lilly Foundation has identified in education and health care and how they are trying to solve them. One thing I found refreshing about his approach to solving issues was trying to find workable solutions on a small scale before advocating them on a large scale. For example, in the education field, the Lilly Foundation doesn't try and solve entire country's problem in one big cash-flush solution, but instead they take small, but calculated, bets on Indianapolis and Indiana based initiatives that are innovative and take new approaches to solving problems of things such as getting more students to graduate and improving the quality of education. Then if they see success in these smaller initiatives they advocate these solutions on a larger scale, thereby advocating for more proven and refined solutions then ones that are great in theory but may not be great in practice.

It was obvious to all of us in attendance that Rob is extremely passionate about his job and has taken on great challenges in his time at Lilly. Being able to have this kind of informal meeting with a highly respected and successful business leader is just another example of the exciting opportunities that the Orr Fellowship provides us. Not only was this a great networking opportunity in Indianapolis for us as fellows, but it was a great learning opportunity that we wouldn't have gotten at a regular out of college job. Business Leader Meetings like the one we had with Rob Smith today are just another reason that the Orr Fellowship is a great opportunity for college graduates!

2011 Orr Fellow: Ali Schultz

Monday, June 27, 2011 by Fellow Stories

Name: Ali Schultz

Alma Mater: Valparaiso University

Major: Marketing and Sports Management

Host Company: WebLink International

Hometown: Newark, IL

Bio:
Having grown up in a tiny town of about 300 people, opportunity never exactly knocked at my door. I realized from a young age that I would need to put myself out there in order to succeed and surpass any expectations anyone had of me. I decided to come to Valpo to play volleyball, though recurring injuries ended my career prematurely. I quickly became much more involved on campus and developed an addiction to progression, an addiction I've come to welcome and embrace -- landing me precisely where I am now. I am extremely relationship oriented and enjoy spending time with family and friends every chance I get. I'm currently training for my second half-marathon and enjoy both mental and physical challenges. I hope to re-enter the volleyball world as a coach in the fall, as well as getting involved with as many service activities as possible.

Why did you choose to be a part of the Orr Fellowship?
After speaking with a current Orr Fellow and checking into the program, I was very intrigued by the dedication to growth and innovation displayed by the host companies as well as the fellows themselves. I attended the reception before the formal interview process began and realized that my goals were exactly in line with the goals of the Fellowship. I felt right at home when meeting current fellows and other potential fellows and loved the culture of excitement and motivation. As the interview process progressed and I met more individuals invested in the Fellowship, I knew the Fellowship was my ideal transition into the "real world."

What are your long-term career ambitions?
I hope to hold a management position in marketing or organizational behavior depending on my focus in graduate school.

Just the facts:
Huge Chicago fan. Extremely social and outgoing. Never see any reason to stop improving. Love to travel.

2011 Orr Fellow: Ann Govert

Monday, June 27, 2011 by Fellow Stories

Name: Ann Govert

Alma Mater: Butler University

Major: Telecommunications and Marketing

Host Company: BidPal

Hometown: Hobart, IN

Bio:
I have loved my four years at Butler University! I started as a telecommunications major, and added a marketing major at the end of my sophomore year. Adding another major late in the game made my academic time very busy, but well worth while as I love my Marketing major and am excited to start with the Orr Fellowship at BidPal. I am very involved in my sorority, Alpha Phi, and held the positions of Panhellenic Delegate and Vice President of Chapter Operations. I have also been very involved in the Butler Catholic Community, holding the positions of Vice President and President of the leadership team. I enjoy volunteering and doing service projects through my sorority and the Butler Volunteer Center. Overall, college has been a great time for me to grow, learn, and create lifelong friendships. I am really looking forward to graduation, starting with the Fellowship, and opening a new chapter of my life!

Why did you choose to be a part of the Orr Fellowship?
I didn't know about the Fellowship until one of my former professors, and a wonderful mentor of mine notified me about the Orr Fellowship Information Night at my college. After hearing about the program I became very interested and applied. Throughout every step of the process, I learned more and more about the Fellowship and came to love the idea of being a Fellow. I am so excited for my job at BidPal, the networking and business opportunities through the Fellowship, and making great friendships with the fellows.

What are your long-term career ambitions?
I am not exactly sure what the future holds for me. My goal is to be successful, happy, and to follow my passions.

Just the facts:
I love my family and friends! I am the youngest of seven children. I have five brothers, 1 sister, and eight nieces and nephews. I am organized and like planning, meaning that I usually keep my schedule pretty busy. In my free time I like being around other people and hanging out with friends. I love to dance, and have a good time. I'm outgoing, love to meet new people, and love enjoying life!

2011 Orr Fellow: Ashton Chaffee

Sunday, June 26, 2011 by Fellow Stories

Name: Ashton Chaffee

Alma Mater: Butler University

Major: Chemistry

Host Company: Slane Capital

Hometown: Noblesville, IN

Bio:
I’m a very goal-oriented, self-motivated person…I enjoy looking to expand my horizons and learn something new through different inputs that come my way (books, podcasts, articles, opportunities for a new experience…). I like to spend as much time with my family as possible, working out and watching sports makes me happy, and I always try to find the positives in every situation!

Why did you choose to be a part of the Orr Fellowship?
I think the Fellowship provides many experiences that so many other after-college options don’t – the extended network of Fellows and host companies, the ability to have a mentor that holds a powerful position within the company, and a higher-sloping growth curve (hopefully). It serves as a great way to get introduced to the business community in Indy and helps to basically breed potential future leaders. It’s clearly a well-run program, and its participants seem to have experienced great success – not only during the program, but after “graduation.”

What are your long-term career ambitions?
Right now, I’m all about gaining as much quality experience as possible. Hopefully that will prepare me to hold a position of significant influence within a company in the future – and that doesn’t have to mean “CEO” (although I’m not objecting to that idea…), but instead, a leadership position that will enable me to relate to the people I work with on a different level, inspire them to create different/better/more advanced ideas for the company, and make them excited to come to work every day! And after all that wild success, I’ll take an early retirement and travel the world while I write books. No, seriously…

Just the facts:
I love reading, and writing is one of my favorite pastimes. Hopefully I’ll be published and on the shelves of your local Barnes and Noble in the next 10ish years! I really enjoy volunteering/being involved in my community…I’m definitely a cat person, although dogs can be cute at times (as long as they don’t lick me). My time at Butler was absolutely amazing - from being involved in waaay too many campus activities to meeting some pretty awesome people - but after 3 years (yes, I'm graduating a year early), I'm definitely ready to move on to the next chapter of my life. Finally, I’m living at home next year because Slane is only 7 minutes away from my house!

2011 Orr Fellow: Julie Bowman

Thursday, June 23, 2011 by Fellow Stories

Name: Julie Bowman

Alma Mater: Indiana University

Major: Finance and International Business

Host Company: Interactive Intelligence

Hometown: Newburgh, IN

Bio:
Like many of you, I’m proud to be organized, involved, and busy. I love love love all things IU, so graduation will certainly be bittersweet. On campus, I am co-president of a student-run non-profit organization called Camp Kesem, which puts on a free week-long summer camp for 95 kids who have/had a parent with cancer. Camp Kesem takes up a lot of my time, but I love it! At IU, I also am in a microfinance club (not as boring as it sounds, I promise! Microfinance is basically providing microloans to entrepreneurs in developing countries as a poverty alleviation tool.) I have volunteered over spring or winter break each year as part of an Alternative Break Program. I love ethnic food, traveling, and sightseeing. I aim to visit six of the seven continents (Antarctica may have to wait…) before I’m 30. My friends and family are my world, and I’m excited to expand that circle of friends in the next chapter of my life with the Orr Fellowship!

Why did you choose to be a part of the Orr Fellowship?
I’m excited for the networking opportunities the Fellowship will provide. The Fellowship seems to provide the perfect transition into being a “real person,” and I am ready to experience that transition with 26 driven, intelligent, and outgoing college graduates!

What are your long-term career ambitions?
I see myself eventually working on the operations side of a nonprofit organization or for the foundation of a corporation.

What will your first role be at your host company?
I will spend a few months in the finance and accounting department, possibly rotating around the department. Eventually, I will be able to experience other departments as well.

Just the facts:

Obsessed with mixers/ice breakers/”camp games” and would lead those for a living if that were a real job! ;) Love the color pink. Rarely watch TV or movies, save Glee and DVDs of the show Friends. New favorite clothing item: my panda bear footed pajamas that I got in the children’s section at Target. Love the Kelley business school and IU. Generally optimistic and enthusiastic about everything I do. :)

2011 Orr Fellow: Kara Strass

Thursday, June 23, 2011 by Fellow Stories

Name: Kara Strass

Alma Mater: University of Notre Dame

Major: Biology

Host Company: BioConvergence

Hometown: Huntington, IN

Bio:

I have loved my last four years at Notre Dame, and although I am super excited to start with the Orr Fellowship, I will be sad to leave the golden dome. I have become involved with a huge number of organizations on campus, and they have started to take over most of my time. I am the president of the Native American Student Association, and we have been working hard in the last few years to make Native issues known on our campus in addition to planning new events. I am also a Resident Assistant in my dorm, which is somewhat unique to ND as everyone lives in the same dorm for four years, so we have a great community of wonderful girls. I don't know that I can ever be not-involved in my community, so I am looking forward to the new opportunities that will come from moving to Bloomington.

Why did you choose to be a part of the Orr Fellowship?
I just happened upon the Orr Fellowship at our career fair, and the more that I learned about it, the more I realized that it was something that I could become passionate about. As a native hoosier, I am excited about trying to make Indiana a better place, and I think this program is definitely helping towards that goal. Meeting all the people who are involved in this fellowship really solidified my interest in the program, and I am excited to have such a great opportunity.

What are your long-term career ambitions?
Right now, it is still a possibility that I could end up in graduate school for an Ph.D. in biology. I am also really passionate about working with Native American people in the future, but I am not sure right now how that will play out.

What will your first role be at your host company?
Research and Development; Environmental Health and Safety

Just the facts:

In what little free time I have, I love dancing and hanging out with friends. I also love being in the outdoors, so I am super excited about living in southern Indiana. If anyone ever wants to go to a state park, go hiking, or canoeing I am your girl.

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: Margaret Musgrave

Wednesday, June 22, 2011 by Fellow Stories

Name: Margaret Musgrave

Alma Mater: DePauw University

Major: Classical Studies

Host Company: Scale Computing

Hometown: Evansville, IN

Bio:
I am hyper organized and slightly obsessive about being on time--two things that I can't figure out are good or bad things! ;) I love DePauw and I am bittersweet about graduating, but that just means I get to be an Orr Fellow! At DePauw, I write a cooking column for our independent school newspaper The DePauw, and I am also a DJ on our radio station WGRE. I love to run and work out, but I have absolutely no upper body strength--but hopefully the archery classes I'm currently taking will help with that! I also love challenges and pushing myself to the limit in almost all aspects of life. And as a Classics major, I had the wonderful opportunity to work on an archaeological dig last summer in Kenchreai, Greece.

Why did you choose to be a part of the Orr Fellowship?
I wanted to be an Orr Fellow because of the strong relationships, both professional and personal, that are developed over the two years, and the amount of hands-on business experience obtained. I loved that everyone in the Orr Fellowship challenged themselves to think and act to the best of their ability everyday, and that giving back to the community was a significant part of the Fellowship.

What are your long-term career ambitions?
I'm really not quite sure just yet, and I hope the experience that I gain by being an Orr Fellow will help me choose my path!

Just the facts:

I am really not an outdoors-y person--seriously, camping to me is probably something along the lines of getting a hotel room next to the state park ;) Other than that, I love reading and going to the movies!

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!

WWOD: 'What Would Orr Fellows Do?'

Thursday, December 2, 2010 by Jonathon Corwin

David Simons, an Orr Fellow alumnus from the class of 2006, shares his program experiences with potential candidates at the Reception on the Circle event. His speech highlights the two sides of business: the Machiavelli approach and the Orr Fellow approach. Simons graduated from DePauw University in 2006 with a degree in Economics. He remains at his host company, Author Solutions, as Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis.

Watch the video coverage to discover 'What Would Orr Fellows Do?'

Are you looking for entry-level jobs in Indiana or business jobs in Indianapolis? Learn moe about the Orr Fellowship at www.orrfellowship.org.

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!

Thinking Outside the Box When Job Searching

Tuesday, October 12, 2010 by Robert Tichy

A year ago seems like yesterday as I begin remembering my job recruitment journey. At my alma mater, Indiana State University, the career fair is very local-heavy with companies and opportunities. The only jobs that were outside of the Wabash Valley were with Target as a part of their retail training program. I'd worked retail throughout my entire college career, so I knew that wasn't going to be in my best interest. Therefore, I was in a bit of a bind - how do I find more opportunities without blindly submitting my resume online?

Luckily, I remembered that there was a nationally recognized undergraduate business school less than an hour away from ISU - the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.

I started researching when the career fairs took place, and found the sales and marketing fair to be my best bet. I called a good friend of mine who attended IU and asked if there were any prerequisites to get into the career fair. He mentioned I needed to have an IU student ID, which I obviously didn't have, but said I could use his - I'm in!

I drove down to Bloomington and was able to get in to the career fair without any issues. I walked in and was amazed at all of the tremendous companies and names: Procter & Gambel, Kimberly-Clark, Otis Elevator Company, News Corporation, among others. I stopped by all of these booths, but was somewhat displeased with their demeanor and bland answers to questions.

I decided to start going to a few smaller companies and my first stop was the Orr Fellowship. Talking for just a few minutes, I knew immediately that the Fellowship was a unique experience that would allow me to work in a small company (as I had interned in college) and could have an impact right away.

As they say, the rest is history. I applied to the Orr Fellowship, went through the interview process and was lucky enough to land with ExactTarget in Indianapolis.

The moral of my journey to IU is that when looking and applying for a job, get creative. Now more than ever it's imperative that graduating seniors stand out from the rest, and having the opportunity to tell recruiters that I had driven from ISU just to attend the career fair was a great talking point, not to mention it introduced me to the Orr Fellowship.

It's that time of year again...

Friday, October 1, 2010 by Skip Tokar

That's right, its job application season again. Its the annual time of year that college seniors come to the realization that undergrad school is going to end and they have to do... something. Some people pursue graduate schools while other focus on Entrepreneurship Careers, Indiana Job openings, or even graduate fellowships (possibly the Orr Fellowship...); however, all eventually come to the realization that they need a great resume.

I am no resume expert but I picked up a couple of tips and tricks back in the day that I am willing to share with my numerous dedicated readers. You might be saying to yourself "Who is this guy and why does he think he is even remotely qualified to give me tips?" This is a valid point, but, if you apply to the Orr Fellowship, I could be the person reviewing your resume and my tips worked out pretty well for myself. So just sit back and let my insightful resume knowledge engulf you.

In no particular order here is a sampling of my vast resume understanding:

When putting your GPA on your resume go to a maximum of 2 decimal places. If you Major GPA is significantly higher than you cumulative GPA then list that as well (it needs to be obvious that that is specifically your major GPA)
Don't be afraid to include distinguishing experiences. This could include time studying abroad or brief descriptions of your more complicated projects/papers. Just make sure that these things fit in the natural flow of your resume and are not under or overstated.
Do not include stuff from high school, unless they are so ridiculously outstanding that there is no way you could sleep at night knowing that potential employers had no idea how great you were in high school.
Make sure your experience/work history is organized logically. Ideally these sections will flow chronologically because if you planned things correctly, each job/internship builds on the last one, hopefully leaving your most recent experience as the crown jewel on your resume. In addition to this, avoid time gaps in your employment.
One of my biggest pet peeves is when a person just puts "selected" or "completed" said internship on their resume. If it is on your resume I know you worked there and eventually completed the job/internship/program. Your resume needs to be about what YOU have done and what results YOU achieved. No company is going to hire you just because you were selected to participate in a particular program. Companies want to see how you progressed trough an internship and the impacts that you made while there. Sometimes showing how you went about something is just as important as the results. Interviewers know that summer jobs/internships are typically not long enough to make any really significant gains, but they want to see that you have demonstrated the aptitude to get things done.
Make sure you don't sell yourself short or embellish your accomplishments. A lot of times it is plain to see that a person has done some pretty significant work, but their resume does not reflect upon these accomplishments. If you have done impressive things make sure it is known. On the other hand, people can tell if you are trying to make something appear more significant. You don't want to claim more than you really did or use synonyms for every word.
Don't leave dangling words on a line. You should either add words or take out words so there is not just one word all by itself on a line. This is valuable space, don't waste it.
Don't make a resume that is more than one page. I don't care how good you think you are, at this point in time you have not done enough to merit more than one page. You only want to include the very best experiences that are most relevant to the position you are applying for.
There needs to be a balance of good details without jamming some much in there that your resume looks squished and cluttered. You really want your experiences to POP OUT not be hidden in the mess.
Be sure to have a good balance of activities and experiences. Companies, especially the Orr Fellowship, want to see that you are a well rounded individual that has done well in school, has had good work experience, has been involved in campus activities, has held leadership positions, and somehow finds time to volunteer.

These are just some of the resume tips that come to mind. I would have written more but frankly I got tired of writing. If you want to make sure you have good career opportunities and don't end up like this guy then follow my advice.

Follow these guidelines and constantly revise and improve you resume. This is a never ending process but if mastered you will really stand out to all the companies that are hiring new grads, which will lead to you getting a great entry level job and, with any luck, ending up like this guy.

Until next month... This has been Skip Tokar (Special Thanks to Editor Bryan Watson)

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.