A new study from Indianapolis-based consulting firm TPMA found most Orr Fellowship participants stay in Indiana and about 20% go on to start their own firm or enterprise.
College graduates apply for the program, and those who are chosen are paired with partner companies that hire them as paid employees. More than 600 people have been Orr Fellows, including Carmel native Xavier Ramirez.
“I’m somebody where I have a lot of different interests, and I want to be able to explore and grow those for my future career,” Ramirez said. “Orr doesn’t lock you into only doing one thing. It allows you to get as involved as you want.”
Ramirez is an Indiana University graduate and current employee. IU is among 63 Orr Fellowship partners, along with companies like Jiffy Lube and the Indianapolis Airport Authority.
“Our alumni every year are producing a little over $20 million — $23.3 million — in tax revenue for the state. That’s a really big deal, because that’s really money in a bank that’s being produced year in and year out,” Steve Emch, Orr Fellowship President, said. “We believe there’s a great life worth living here in Indiana, and our mission is to show them what that might look like and support the business community as we go.”
A recent economic impact study found about 60% of Orr Fellows stay in Indiana after their two-year program.
“We try to wrap real life and real community and real impact around the job experience, to create a more holistic of what life will look like here,” Emch said. “[During the fellowship] they’re going to have executive access. They’re going to have broad exposure into the business. On our side, we’re doing a variety of developmental opportunities for them, anywhere from three to six events a month.”
Last year, the program expanded to Evansville and partnered with companies including Old National Bank and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana.