DETROIT – Challenge Detroit, a leadership development program that challenges leaders to learn by doing through a year of meaningful employment and intellectual work, is now accepting applications for its 2018 – 2019 Fellowship.

Challenge Detroit invites future leaders from Detroit, the Metro area, and across the country to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn by doing and help move Detroit forward. Selected Fellows will be employed at a leading area company for one year. Host companies are nonprofits, small businesses, and major corporations including organizations like DTE Energy, Lear Corporation and Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit.

“The experience I’ve had working at my host company, Goodwill Green Works, has been invaluable,” said Arnesha Jennings, a current Challenge Detroit Fellow originally from the city. “I have not only had the privilege to grow professionally, but I’ve also developed a network of peers I know I will keep in touch with throughout my career.”

Selected Fellows will work with their host company four days a week. On the fifth day, Fellows will work with area nonprofits on “challenge” projects where they will provide actionable solutions to some of the city’s most complex issues and opportunities such as food security, education and economic development.

Challenge Detroit accepts college-educated applicants from across disciplines and levels of experience. Interested applicants will be required to submit an application video, long-form essay and participate in an in-depth interview process with host companies and program leadership.

“Year after year, I continue to be impressed by the caliber of the applicants we receive,” said Deirdre Groves, the executive director of Challenge Detroit. “Our Fellows are creating meaningful impact in Detroit and I am thrilled to see what year seven will bring.”

Since the program’s inception in 2012, over 4,000 people have applied and nearly 200 Fellows have participated in the program. In its next year, Challenge Detroit will select approximately 30 innovative individuals to:

  • Engage in intellectually-based challenge projects designed to positively impact the community;
  • Work at a top regional company;
  • Receive a $38,000 annual salary plus benefits typical of the host company;
  • Live in and around the greater Detroit area;
  • Participate in a leadership development program; and
  • Receive perks such as memberships to various organizations, discounts, event access and more.

Challenge Detroit is accepting applications until Sunday, March 11, 2018. The Fellowship in Detroit will begin in September 2018. For more information visit, http://www.challengedetroit.org/application.