Jobs for Change - AmeriCorps Alum Feature: Meet Brianna

AmeriCorps Alum Feature: Meet Brianna

Published October 08, 2009 @ 03:38PM PT

Name: Brianna Schultz
Program Served In: AmeriCorps*VISTA, Michigan Campus Compact
Location Served: Central Michigan University

What made you want to join AmeriCorps?

I had always wanted to do some type of AmeriCorps program after learning about it in college since service has always been a big part of my life. After college, I knew I wanted to have a career in the nonprofit sector and thought it would be a great opportunity to serve and also gain some professional experience in the field in which I wanted to make a career.

What your experience serving like?

I served during the first year of the Michigan Campus Compact VISTA* program so I had the opportunity to do a lot of trailblazing. I was able to lead volunteers in a tutoring program, organize a conference on social issues and also founded a new mentoring program that pairs college students and elementary students together. There were definitely some challenges - living on a stipend with a lot of credit card debt and being in "limbo" between being a college student and a staff member on a college campus were two of the greatest. Despite these challenges, the professional development I received was well worth it...the education award was pretty nice too!

How did your experience in AmeriCorps relate to your career path?

After my year of service was complete, I took a job with City Year Cleveland (www.cityyear.org)as a Program Manager in which my responsibilities were almost identical to my responsibilities as a VISTA. I truly believe that my experiences as a VISTA were the selling points on my resume. I still work with City Year, but have since been promited to Program Director. I love it.

What advice would you give to people considering or going into AmeriCorps?

DO IT!! It will be a year full of challenges, but it will be worth it if you immerse yourself in that year of service. Your year of AmeriCorps will be as great as the energy you put into it. Milk it for all that it is worth.

Picture provided by Brianna Schultz

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Author

Meghan currently serves as the Project Manager for the AmeriCorps*VISTA Program at Pennsylvania Campus Compact. In 2004, Meghan served as a Corps Member in the Western Region of AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps.