What You'll Do
Learn what a meaningful year as a Fellow looks like!
This is more than just a job! In this unique opportunity, you will:
- Work at one of our host companies Monday – Thursday (typically during regular business hours, though some organizations have varying schedules).
- Participate in Fellowship programming every Friday with your cohort. You will collaborate with local nonprofits on strategic, intellectually-based, community-focused challenge projects and participate in leadership development programming.
- Cultivate your network, develop and refine your skills, build friendships, and enjoy our city and its neighborhoods throughout the program year.
Why you should apply
Learn about the many benefits of the fellowship opportunity, from social to career, personal development and more!
As a Challenge Detroit Fellow, you will:
- Collaborate with multiple Detroit-based partner nonprofits on strategic, intellectually-based, community-focused projects to support them in moving their missions forward
- Gain knowledge and experience in various areas of impact in an accelerated time frame
- Learn and leverage the art of design thinking (human-centered design) and community development best practices
- Develop valuable leadership, project management and team-building skills through a multi-faceted leadership development program
- Grow your career at your host company and learn about different sectors and industries
- Acquire a better understanding of the city by learning about the history of Detroit, how it has impacted the region, and about various neighborhoods in the city
- Cultivate meaningful relationships with your motivated and innovative cohort and the broader Challenge Detroit community
- Connect with local leaders, thinkers and doers from various sectors and industries
- Join the network of over 300 alumni Fellows who continue to engage and support the program as well as contribute in their communities
- Receive a $45,000 annual salary when you apply for our Standard Track*, plus variable benefits typical of the employer you match with (Internal and Community Leader track applicants receive a discretionary salary from their employers)
*Standard Track applicants are candidates who will have a bachelor’s by the end of August 2025 and are looking to be paired with a host company. Internal and Community Leader Track applicants are candidates who already have a job and approval from their current employer to participate as a Fellow. If you are interested in being an Internal or Community Leader track applicant, please email [email protected] for more details.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Read about our qualifications and requirements to determine if this is the right opportunity for you.
We are looking for candidates from the City of Detroit, surrounding areas, the state of Michigan and beyond, who represent a diverse range of race/ethnicity, gender identity, orientation, thought, experience, educational backgrounds, perspective and ability. The most successful candidates are passionate about community, dedicated, proactive, hard-working, innovative, adaptable and have a growth mindset.
All applicants must:
- Be able to read and communicate in written and spoken English fluently—all materials are in English and programs are conducted in English (candidates with proficiency in more than one language are welcome).
- Be in or be able to relocate to the City of Detroit or greater Detroit area and be able to commute to various locations within the City of Detroit regularly for the duration of the program.
- Be able to commit to a full-time opportunity for the duration of the program, Monday – Friday.
- Be authorized* to work in the U.S. for the duration of the program (Sept 2025-Aug 2026).
- Meet our full list of requirements ( Standard Track Requirements | Internal/Community Leader Track Requirements )
*Challenge Detroit is unable to assist with visa sponsorship, relocation or immigration.
OUR PROCESS & TIMELINE
After you apply, what happens next? Learn about our process and timeline/key dates.
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Online Application | Will Open Winter/Spring 2025
Complete a basic online application with short answer questions, and submit a one-page resume (plus a portfolio link if typical in your industry). Click here to view our application tips and guidelines.
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Application Review | Rolling
Challenge Detroit leadership, our host companies, and a community review team, will review each application and select candidates to invite to move forward.
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Finalist Notification | Rolling
Candidates who have been selected as Finalists are typically notified 2-3 weeks prior to the interviews on a rolling basis.
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Finalist Interviews | TBD
Finalists will interview with our host companies/potential employers and Challenge Detroit Leadership, hear from current and alumni Fellows, connect with other candidates and learn more about the city and our program. Participation in the interview is required for standard track candidates.
Becoming a Finalist and participating in the interviews does not guarantee that a candidate will be hired and placed as a Fellow as multiple candidates are being considered for each role.
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Placements | Rolling
Following the interviews, Challenge Detroit leadership will work with the host companies while also putting into consideration candidate feedback to determine final job placements. Challenge Detroit will notify candidates whether or not they are matched with an employer and accepted into the program on a rolling basis.
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Fellowship Program | Starting September 2025
The program year will begin in September 2025 and finish at the end of August 2026. Learn more about what the year as a Fellow will be like here.