Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply?
We strongly encourage prospective Fellows to apply by the early application deadline, November 15. We receive a lot of applications and the program fills up quickly.
The Chattanooga Fellows spend time at one of Chattanooga’s many bakeries and coffee shops during breaks between classes and workshops.
What can I expect in the application process?
After submitting an application, the Chattanooga Fellows Program will set up three interviews with you. One of these interviews will be with the director within 2-3 days of applying, followed by interviews with two different admissions committee members. In the process, you will be introduced to other alumni and community members who can informally address questions and share their experiences with you. This process is designed to be spiritually encouraging and professionally clarifying.
How long does the admissions process take?
Our admissions committee guarantees a four-week interview and decision process for those who apply by the early and winter application deadlines (November 15 and January 15). All other applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and can expect decisions between four and six weeks from the date of application.
The Fellows visit many companies around Chattanooga, such as Southern Champion Tray, to learn about healthy business culture and practices.
What kind of jobs are available in the program?
Check out the “Employer Partners” on our People page! We’ve had Fellows work in a wide variety of industries and roles. In the last twelve years, Fellows have worked in banking, law, additive manufacturing, community development, insurance brokerage, medicine and community health, supply chain/logistics, business development, education, vocational ministry, government, communications, marketing, and environmental conservation - just to name a few!
How does the Fellows Program help me get a job?
During the admissions process, the Director and admissions committee ask lots of questions about an applicant’s professional interests in order to determine who in Chattanooga would be a potential employer. After committing to the Chattanooga Fellows Program, a Fellow completes an onboarding process including a resume workshop, LinkedIn update, and job placement discussion with the Director. Then, the Director and Job Placement committee leverage a network of hundreds of people in Chattanooga to arrange interviews and opportunities for the Fellow. From that point, the Fellow is able to tell their story using the training and preparation of our onboarding process and relying on the collaborative and generous network of over 52 previous employers and hundreds of champions of Fellows in our city.
Chattanooga Fellows go on ten intentional retreats throughout the year for spiritual growth, intentional community formation, and professional development.
Is the Fellows Program a wise professional step after college?
This is a great question. Let’s ask our alumni!
"I majored in journalism in 2014 and decided I wanted to be a writer for the first part of my professional career. When I joined the Chattanooga Fellows, I was placed at a nonprofit where I was the lead curriculum writer for a social entrepreneurship curriculum. I wouldn't have been able to land a solid writer job like this fresh out of college had it not been for the Chattanooga Fellows network. While I'm no longer in writing (many years later), this experience gave me a strong footing for subsequent jobs after the Fellows program."
Matt Pulford (Class of 2015), Account Success Manager for Nintex in New York City, NY
“Joining the Fellows Program was a pivotal decision for me. At a time when I was questioning whether I could go into the private sector with a clear conscience, the Fellows Program gave me the reassurance I needed (it helped me discover that God delights in our work) and the motivation to pursue the ideals of the cultural mandate. Thanks in part to what I learned, I have spent the past 10 years working towards the increasing alignment of capitalism with human flourishing.”
Chris Musser (Class of 2014), Consultant for the Boston Consulting Group in Washington, D.C.
See how a few more of them address this question in their reflections on the Fellows Program. We can’t think of a wiser way to launch your professional career than by doing excellent work in a professional community of mentorship while also learning about the unique gifts and abilities that help you respond to God’s vocation in your life, the theological foundation for why you should work excellently, considering how your work serves your neighbors in the city in which you live. Employers in Chattanooga have told us, “When I see Fellows on a resume, I’m immediately interested.”
How much does the Chattanooga Fellows Program cost?
The cost of the Chattanooga Fellows Program is $7,000. Upon acceptance to the program, a $500 nonrefundable deposit is required to secure your spot. We then support the Fellows in raising financial support from their friends, family, church and ministry communities, and mentors so that they do not have to pay the remainder of the fee out of pocket. The remaining balance is then covered by donations or other payment plans. Please ask the Director if you have questions or concerns about this, as our community desires that no one be prohibited from participating in Fellows in Chattanooga due only to financial concerns.
I’m not a recent college graduate but I’d like to engage with the Chattanooga Fellows Program. How can I do that?
The Chattanooga Fellows Program takes hundreds of people to put on every year. We always need employers, host families, financial supporters, mentors, and guest speakers for our Fellows to have a meaningful experience. Please contact the Director if you’re interested in supporting the Chattanooga Fellows but aren’t sure how.
