AmeriCorps

Is it like Teach For America/white saviorist-like? I got offered something and I just wanted to see people’s opinions! Thx!

Hey everyone, I know this is super specific, but I saw something about how National Service volunteers are able to find work or get into school easier than non-volunteers. I'm curious if anyone did AmeriCorps as a career builder that way, vs already being in school and seeing it more as just a volunteer opportunity.

That's all over the place, but if that makes sense, let me know!

I am a 25F that just accepted a Public Health AmeriCorps position with my local county health department. I kind of feel like I'm selling myself short by accepting it even though I have an MPH degree in Epidemiology from Columbia University and some experience. The job market has been awful, I feel drained from searching/applying/doing interviews/then being rejected and now I feel like I'm just settling for this part-time position for about $21,600 that is 1 year long. On the flip side, I feel like I should maybe be proud of myself for even getting this position, but I just feel numb overall. The interview process was a phone screen, then another interview with a few people from the local health department that was pretty simple.

I've been previously told by professors in my public health bachelor's program that it's worth doing, I am also curious about what the position will actually be like, and think that it would maybe advance my career/help me network with other people if I do choose to stay in the field of public health. I would ideally like to get a federal or county job, but it feels like it is impossible in Los Angeles/remotely. I have applied to federal jobs on and they say I am tentatively eligible but then I am not referred to the hiring manager. I have applied to LACDPH public health jobs and get no response and their website honestly kinda sucks too. It's been difficult because I've been applying to jobs for about four months now since I quit my last job at a hospital that I was also in for about 4 months that paid $35 an hour with benefits. I have a feeling of desperation to just accept anything and be grateful. At the same time, I feel pressure to make more money and don't know what kind of part-time/flexible jobs I can do to fill up the remaining time I would have. I've also been applying to job boards to try to address this concern.

I am open to people sharing their advice/experiences with Public Health AmeriCorps/AmeriCorps in general. Both would be appreciated, thanks!

I still have about 8 months left in my service term but I'm very anxious about finding a job after that. I work in nonprofit communications at my site, and I started my service term immediately after graduating with a bachelor's degree. One of the reasons why I accepted this job despite low pay is because I don't have much work experience and I thought this might help. But I'm hearing from some AmeriCorps alum that their experience wasn't valuable and that scares me a bit. I'm thinking of ending the term early if I find another, better paying job. Unfortunately, this job market sucks, and I haven't had much luck so far.

How did you navigate the job market after your service term ended?

My life has not felt the same as I did, like when I was in the NCCC. I don't mean for this to sound like a woe-as-me, pity party moment, but I guess me being honest with myself and my peers. It feels like a search mainly of a feeling I had. A feeling that I'm doing something right in my life. Sure, at times, during my time, I became lost and could've handled situations better, but I miss being a part of a team. I miss being able to feel like I'm doing something important. I enjoyed representing wearing the A, being on a team dedicated to making communities better, living with people near my age, and just the overall sense of satisfaction of a long day. I've thought about doing FEMA Corps as a Team Leader or Peace Corps, becoming a Fulbright scholar heck, I've even thought of going back to school for a master's in some kind of medical or therapeutic avenue. There was something about being able to be a service to others and making a difference in different communities that made me prouder than ever of myself. Since graduating from the program, I have worked several different jobs. I tried working jobs that felt and looked similar to projects I enjoyed. From youth mentor to an activities coordinator, I haven't felt fulfilled. I even shaped up focused on bettering my mental health, new coping mechanisms, and taught myself some skills I didn't previously tried (i.e. learning how to fix a pipe, cooking meals, etc.), Does anyone else feel type of way? How did you cope with it?

I was reading this story about an AmeriCorps alum on the

This gave me wondering, has AmeriCorps helped you find a sense of purpose or get through a hard time?

I argue that your time in AmeriCorps is the hard times, so you can be tougher (ha).

Thoughts/Comments?

I did AmeriCorps because I wanted a change of pace. I'm a 30 y/o new doctor and I wanted to get out of medicine for a while (I did residency and my first year of practice during COVID). I hated being a doctor. AmeriCorps allows federal loans to go into deferment, so I figured this was a great option to recuperate from burnout without going broke. So they placed me with the health department, which I thought would be a great opportunity to build off my MPH.

I am so #$%^& sick of being treated like a child. Having to beg for "permission" for an off-site event? And when I do go to events, I'm stuck bussing tables while public officials who know diddly squat about healthcare discuss policy in front of me? This is such insulting BS. I don't know how anyone with more than a high school education can tolerate it. I was upfront about my qualifications and thought they'd find me somewhere that I could be used.

But I'd rather be slowly driven to clinical insanity by patients than continue to deal with this patronization.

Sorry if this counts as being anti-AmeriCorps. I'm not. But people should know what they're getting themselves into. I have a lot of respect for what they are supposed to be about. It's just a poorly-executed scheme IMO. Public health is a huge field and there are a lot of MPH holders with huge skills but nowhere to start because of the . Doesn't excuse treating them like grade schoolers though.

Long story short, I am 33 years old and my career path has not unfolded as planned. I did AmeriCorps SN when I was 25, doing ecological education with kids, but it all fell apart after I completed my program. I thought I wanted to be a teacher, so I enrolled at the university, got disillusioned after a year, dropped out, and owed a lot of money in loans. I ended up getting a job as a bartender, which I've basically been doing for the past 5 years. I've paid off all my debts, built a nice nest egg, and got my life back on track, but now I feel stuck. It's been a long time since I've done anything outside of the service industry, but I don't want to do this anymore.

I'm thinking of applying for some sort AmeriCorps position. My interests are pretty wide, but I really enjoy environmental work, and I love physical labor. I just want to get my foot into the door into something more meaningful, and I'm sick to death of the restaurant business. But am I too late? There's a huge gap in my resume from when I did my education/ecology work. And am I too old? Will I be the grandpa of whatever program I choose?

Any and all advice is much appreciated.

I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, but here goes.

I’m currently a senior in college graduating this coming May. After some challenging health issues, I decided it would be best to take a gap year before (hopefully) attending law school. My tentative plan right now is to serve in AmeriCorps NCCC from October 2023 to July 2024. In the meantime, I’m going to work on boosting my LSAT and sharpening my PS.

Would it be realistic to finish with AmeriCorps in July and start law school in August? Would there be a conflict with orientation? Would it just be stressful as hell?

Curious what you all have to say. I appreciate you!

Last night I was at the grocery store and was so happy to see my favorite food, blueberries, on sale! $4 for a big package. I eagerly grabbed 3 and then it suddenly hit me- a single pack of blueberries is worth what I make in an HOUR at the most miserable job I've ever worked (no hate I just have a super weird site/situation!)

Share your "bruh..." AmeriCorps moments below!

I'm a recent college graduate and decided to give AmeriCorps a try to gain experience I lacked so I could find a new job. Needless to say, I'm struggling. The work is easy, it looks good on my resume, and I find a can get it done pretty fast, but the pay....really really sucks. When I joined, I didn't think it would be taxed (I should have known better) and I'm losing $400 a month from my pay just in taxes. I can't even afford dental insurance and now I'll have a crown to pay for and I need some other dental work done, on top of bills, car repairs, food, ect. I can barely stay afloat on this income and I'm living well within my means as much as possible. My site has noticed this too. For those who have done this before, or who are doing it, how have you managed to get by? What resources have you used to help you? If you struggled, did you finish your term or take a better job?

Hey everyone!

AmeriCorps celebrated their 30th anniversary a few weeks ago and we missed it (what’s new?), but it’s never too late to commemorate the milestone!

To celebrate the big thirty, going to be offering a limited time, exclusive flair starting today and until November 7th!

The only prerequisites are:

1.) You must already have a standard user flair (Ex: State/National Alum) assigned beforehand because the special icon will go on the right side of it. If you don’t have one yet, please choose one for yourself before requesting the flair. Instructions on how to do this can be found . If you don’t have a standard flair assigned, you won’t be able get this one.

2.) Respond to one the following question by sharing your answer below:

• (Alumni) What helped to keep you sane during your term of service?

• (Current Members) What is your go to self-care routine while serving?

• (New/Future Members) How will you take care of yourself during your service?

Follow these simple instructions and you’ll soon have your new, shiny flair icon attached to your username!

Even after this special “event” ends, your limited edition flair will remain attached to your username as long as you do not update your flair yourself. If you do, it’ll get deleted and you won’t be able to add it again. If you need to update your flair to something else in the future, you can message the mods via the subreddit’s modmail and we’ll do it for you.

Additionally, those who currently have the 25th anniversary flair will get to keep it. :)

No one else will be able to request this user flair after November 7th, so get it while it’s still hot! The flair is essentially the exact same made by AmeriCorps.

This flair won’t give you super powers or anything of that sort, but it’ll be a nice reminder that you were around when AmeriCorps turned 30! Yes, AmeriCorps is a MILLENNIAL!

So what’re you waiting for?! If you want it, come and get it!

Happy belated 30th anniversary, AmeriCorps! 🎉

^{NOTE: Any off-topic comments will be removed at the moderator’s discretion.}

The pay for VISTA positions is stupidly low but I work with a great team, and this is a good opportunity to build those skills I never learnt in college. I'm very curious to know if it had any impact on your career.

I am in my early 30’s and floundering in life. Worked a bunch of minimum wage jobs after undergrad. And then just recently finished my Masters degree. Now I am drowning in student loan debt and can’t find a job in the field I want. I have always enjoyed giving back to the community and volunteering in my spare time. So I feel like the AmeriCorps can help pay back some of my student loans while I try to figure out my life. My husband is active duty military and does not enjoy it so it made me not want to join. He plans of leaving the military after his contract is up.

Anyone in similar situation?

I was wondering if any of you have gone on to serve in the Peace Corps and to what extent your AmeriCorps service was relevant during the application process. I listed it on my resume but did not want to be redundant and add it to my motivation statement. Do we get any sort of advantage because it's also a federal volunteer program or does it just come down to the hours served?

I know my AmeriCorps experience has shaped my worldview and I'm a better person because of it, but ultimatley is it irrelevant where the experience comes from (i.e no preferance for doing AmeriCorps)?

Hello!

I spoke to a returned volunteer advisor the other day and she mentioned AmeriCorps and I'm deeply considering it since I don't have too much resume experience.

For backstory, I'm currently in the midst of wrapping up my undergrad as a history major at Texas A&M. I work two jobs and I volunteer at a student-run food pantry and a free car service for late nights on the weekends directed towards those who are intoxicated to prevent drunk driving. I have other food service/retail experience as well but nothing too grand or long term. I've taken two semesters worth of French as a language requirement as well. I'd prefer to go into youth development or community economic development.

Should I volunteer with AmeriCorps and then the Peace Corps or should I just shoot my shot with the Peace Corps and if not then work with AmeriCorps?

I was recently offered (and accepted) a spot as a TL for the Iowa campus (North Central Region) starting Jan 2023! I’m excited but also getting a little nervous.

Any former or current TLs have any advice for someone new to AmeriCorps? I think I’ve researched NCCC pretty well and watched videos/vlogs/read through reddit posts. Would love to hear any thoughts on what has worked best for Team Leaders in terms of leadership style — how to find the right balance between enforcing rules and having fun with your team / supporting them as best you can. And what sort of boundaries you set that worked well (or not so well) for the team dynamic and for your own well-being.

Also - I’m going to be bringing my car to campus. Will it be alright sitting there while I’m away on projects?