What a Second Year of AmeriCorps Can Do For You
Published October 22, 2009 @ 02:40PM PT
Why do just one year of AmeriCorps, when you can do two? A growing trend in the National Service Movement is AmeriCorps members committing to a second year of service. Call it a dedication to country or a response to the current econony. Either way, there are significant professional and personal benefits to doing more than just one year of service... here are just three:
- Continuing for a second year in the same program as a member or team leader enables you to build on the momentuem you have created and make an even bigger impact in the community. One complaint that I hear over and over again is that one year is just not enough to feel like you really have made a change. It takes times to learn the ropes. Doing a second year enables you a year of learning and a year to put that learning into practice.
- Build your resume. Conventional wisdom states that a longer commitment in your first professional position (i.e. one year versus two years) can enhance your resume by showing hiring supervisors that you have commitment and dedication and aren't just interested in getting in and getting out in a year.
- By serving in a second year in different program (like doing AmeriCorps*NCCC and then AmeriCorps*VISTA) can give you a chance to serve in a new capacity (like doing capacity building after a year of direct service) and develop whole new set of skills.
Photo attribution: Flickr
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Author
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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.
