Strengthen Your Team. Develop Talent. Make an Impact.

HIRE A FELLOW

The Chattanooga Fellows equips bright, motivated recent graduates to integrate their skills, character, and faith with their work. By hiring a Fellow, you gain a talented, reliable team member committed to excellence, integrity, and meaningful contribution—all while helping shape the next generation of Chattanooga leaders.

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What is the Chattanooga Fellows?

The Chattanooga Fellows is a nine-month, postgraduate leadership development program that runs from September to May each year. Fellows rotate through professional workplaces across corporate, entrepreneurial, university, governmental, and nonprofit sectors.

Our goal is to provide employers with highly capable, teachable, and motivated young professionals who:

  • Approach work thoughtfully, strategically, and with care

  • Demonstrate strong integrity, responsibility, and professional character

  • Commit to excellence in attitude, effort, and outcomes

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Fellows Schedule and Structure

Fellows’ weekday schedule balances work with leadership development and community service, preparing them to contribute with clarity, focus, and a sense of purpose.

  • Workdays: Tuesday–Thursday, 20–24 hours/week

  • Professional Development: Monday & Friday classes, retreats, nonprofit visits, and vocational luncheons

  • Program Duration: September 9, 2025 – May 14, 2026

  • Optional Additional Hours: Fellows may work extra hours if it doesn’t conflict with program commitments

A Chattanooga Fellow with long brown hair, smiling with her arms crossed, wearing gold hoop earrings, a black shirt, and a beige zip-up jacket, standing inside an office environment.

What Fellows Bring to Your Organization

By hiring a Chattanooga Fellow, you gain a professional who is:

  • A bachelor’s degree graduate with a strong academic record

  • Teachable, responsible, and guided by strong moral character

  • Skilled in leadership, communication, and interpersonal relationships

  • Equipped with emotional, cultural, and professional intelligence developed through the Fellows Program

  • Committed to working hard and making a measurable contribution to your organization

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Employer Commitments

To host a Fellow, we ask that you:

  • Provide a 3-day-per-week work placement aligned with the Fellow’s skills and growth opportunities

  • Pay a minimum of $18/hour (no benefits required; typically $1,800/month, $16,200 for 9 months)

  • Ensure a learning-rich environment with two formal evaluations and optional monthly feedback

  • Respect Fellows’ retreat and program schedule while allowing discretionary additional hours

A class of Chattanooga Fellows smiling and posing together outdoors on a grassy field, with a bridge and trees in the background during dusk.

Fellows Selection and Preparation

Chattanooga Fellows are carefully selected to ensure they thrive in your workplace:

  • Over 40 applicants compete for 12–13 spots annually

  • Candidates are evaluated on academics, leadership potential, teachability, emotional intelligence, and maturity

  • Fellows complete resume reviews, professional workshops, and interview preparation before placement

Your Fellow is ready to contribute from day one, bringing focus, skill, and character to your organization.

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In Good Company

Chattanooga Fellows have partnered with over 50 different organizations in the city, representing a wide variety of industries.

What Employers Are Saying

  • “Our Fellow jumped right into understanding what we do, what we offer, and what our potential markets are. He has been able to work independently and produce good results, adding value for the company along the way.”

    -Dan Wykoff, CFO, Branch Technology

  • “The Fellow fit our team so well. He is competent and very responsible—and always smiling. He’s a great employee, always taking on new projects and figuring out what needs to be done—and doing it.”

    -Dave Worland, Executive Director, The Knoble

  • “Our Fellow is awesome! She's confident in taking initiative on projects and I feel comfortable trusting her with a variety of tasks. She never seems fazed by anything I throw at her, and fits right in with our team.”

    -Eli Smith, Chief Development Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga.