AmeriCorps Advice by Topic
- Tips for Applicants (40)
- AmeriCorps in the News (14)
- Program Fit (7)
- AmeriCorpsNCCC (5)
- Program Overview (5)
- Stories of Service (3)
- Tips for Alum (20)
- Featured Alum (14)
- AmeriCorps State & National (6)
- AmeriCorpsVISTA (5)
- AmeriCorps (5)
- Featured Project (1)
- College Students
- Young Professionals
- Sector Switchers
- Grad Students*
- High School Students*
- Americorps
- Political & Advocacy Jobs
- Green Jobs*
- Government Jobs*
- Social Enterprise Jobs*
- Education Jobs*
- *coming soon
AmeriCorps in the News Articles for AmeriCorps
A Man With A Plan: Obama & National Service
Published May 14, 2009 @ 08:59AM PT
Okay, so the economy is in the tank, and the outlook is bleak for people hoping to get into the nonprofit sector, right? Not exactly.
The upside of the downturned economy is that President Obama just signed the Serve America Act, which will include expanding the current National Service Programs—AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps*VISTA, and AmeriCorps*NCCC from 75,000 to 250,000 members.
People who have served in AmeriCorps positions can tell you that they are great ways to develop your nonprofit resume and get a “foot-in” at an organization that works towards the same goals you do. In exchange for a living stipend, health insurance, and an education award, AmeriCorps members volunteer in organizations as diverse as the many issues our country is facing.
Not only is AmeriCorps known for looking great on any resume, it is a chance for a new professional to get valuable experience and real responsibility, without the need for a Masters degree—or years of working your way up the ladder.
So, yes, there are fewer jobs out there this year than two years ago. There are, however, going to be roughly three to four times the number of AmeriCorps positions, and organizations will be hungry for people ready to work for social change. Is that you?
The "Obama Effect:" What the President is Doing for AmeriCorps Recruitment
Published May 28, 2009 @ 05:00AM PT
I've heard it called the "Obama Effect." In the past five months, AmeriCorps applications are up 234% from the comparable five months of the previous year.
There are a lot of factors at play, including a lame economy, that would make AmeriCorps a viable option for a lot of people, but there is no doubt that our new president's commitment to developing a civically engaged America and his galvinization of a new generation of voters in the November election.
What does this mean for you? Well, it means that the competition for AmeriCorps positions is going to be stiffer than ever. It is more important than ever that applicants set themselves apart as professionals when communicating with potential sites, submitting applications, and interviewing.
The old idea that just because an AmeriCorps position doesn't pay like a full-time job means that it doesn't require the same amount of work to land is about as out-dated as a 1.20.09 bumper sticker.
What Are You Doing This Summer?
Published May 29, 2009 @ 11:26AM PT
Later this month, President Obama will be sending out a Call to Service through the Summer of Service Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to bring together ordinary Americans--including those who have not been traditionally engaged in service--to work on grassroots projects in the areas of education, environment, health, and community development.
People can get involved for one day or all summer... people can develop and lead their own projects or join with members of their community to work on projects that have a broader scope. The thread that ties it all together is that it focuses on citizens designing projects at the grassroots level and addressing issues that matter to them most.
Want to get involved? Want to learn how to develop your own project? Check out Serve.gov.
More good stuff to come.
Picture from: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=summertime&w=all
Why Now Is The Time To Join AmeriCorps
Published June 17, 2009 @ 11:08AM PT
I can blog all I want, but in the end, this guy says it better...
How AmeriCorps Makes You Happy
Published June 23, 2009 @ 05:00AM PT
This is the first in a series of weekly blog posts on the AmeriCorps Longitudinal Study, which came out in May 2008 and illustrates the impact of AmeriCorps on the lives of those who serve.
I know that this sounds crazy, but there is actually evidence to show that being in AmeriCorps increases your satisfaction with your life, even after you are done serving.
In May 2008, the first study to ever look at how AmeriCorps impacts that lives of alums came out, and one of their biggest findings was that AmeriCorps Alums are more satisfied with their lives and careers than those who did not participate in AmeriCorps.
Eight years after serving, when asked about their satisfaction with their careers, 94% of AmeriCorps*NCCC alumni reported that they were satisfied with their careers, while 86% of AmeriCorps State & National reported the same thing.
The control group? Not as satisfied. So what does this mean for you? Well, in simple terms, joining AmeriCorps is going to increase your chances of being satisfied with your life and your career down the road.
Picture from: http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=person+laughing&m=text
Tune In: National Conference on Volunteering and Service
Published June 25, 2009 @ 04:56PM PT
If you didn't make it out to this year's National Conference on Volunteering and Service in San Francisco, here's your chance to check it out from your own computer. This conference is the world's largest gathering of volunteer and service leaders from the nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors. AmeriCorps members and alums are abundant at this event.
The Conference has plugged into several web resources, so everyone can find out what's going on. Check it out:
Streaming of some conference proceedings and Blog are at [Business Boomer]
Videos from the opening session and located on YouTube
Recording from the conference session will be posted on the conference webpage
Why AmeriCorps Improves Your Chances of Landing Your Dream Job
Published June 30, 2009 @ 05:00AM PT
This is the second in a series of weekly blog posts on the AmeriCorps Longitudinal Study, which came out in May 2008 and illustrates the impact of AmeriCorps on the lives of those who serve.
Join AmeriCorps. Land your dream job. It sounds simple, but it seems to be how it works. It could simply be that AmeriCorps positions give members more exposure to the field they work in than entry-level positions. Or maybe it is the time and money that AmeriCorps programs invest in training, orientation, and professional development for members.
Whatever it is, AmeriCorps alums report that being a part of AmeriCorps exposed them to new career opportunities. 83% of AmeriCorps*NCCC reported that AmeriCorps exposed them to new career opportunities, while 79% of State & National AmeriCorps members reported the same thing.
Not sure what you want to do with your life, or which path to take? AmeriCorps might be a step in the right direction.
Picture from: http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=dream+job&m=text
