Community Forum – How is your Fellow program structured?

Resource Type
Survey (Community Forum)
Publish Date
10/11/2024
Author
Innovation Research Interchange
Topics
Strategic Planning, Structure
Associated Event
Publication

A: How is your Fellow program structured?

This week’s Community Forum survey seeks to explore how organizations structure their fellow programs, focusing on aspects such as career pathways, onboarding, and support systems. The member requesting the survey is particularly interested in understanding different approaches to mentorship, compensation, and the impact fellows have on organizational innovation and strategy. The insights gathered provide valuable benchmarks and best practices for optimizing fellow programs across industries. 

Responses are below.

Community Responses

Other:

  • Applying for the role

What are the roadblocks that you’ve seen to becoming a fellow?

  • Application process is very lengthy, and line manager’s support is critical
  • Unclear understanding (misinterpretation) of qualification criteria.
  • Opportunities to develop and demonstrate technical and business acumens in a reasonable timeframe.
  • Not a clear path for individuals wanting to achieve this level. 
  • Satisfying qualification criteria.
  • We do not have a defined path and our fellow level is not well defined.
  • Politicization of the Principal Engineer/ research scientist roles from which a fellow is chosen.
  • Number of available positions is limited
  • Unclear description of role and value. 
  • number of positions versus potential candidiate pool

Other:

  • Reputation, Gravitas

What support is given to fellows to help them grow?

  • Chief R&D officer, direct supervisor and human resources
  • Informal support from other technical fellows
  • No support is provided.
  • Not aware of anything formal, besides direct supervisor mentoring and support. 
  • Additional freedom to attend seminars and conferences.  Working with professional societies and association as well as being in their leadership.
  • Work on business critical tasks and being involved in discussions about what is critical to the business
  • None beyond typical associate trainings
  • access to senior leader courses

Other:

  • Known and recognized as influential industry leader. Define the technical strategy for the business segment or enterprise.  Advocates colleagues and leadership to accept new concepts and R&D paths
  • Fellows should be a technology “lamp lighter” shining light in dark places, informing where the company should look to develop new markets / technologies.