Join AmeriCorps

I’ll be applying over the next few weeks for different positions in the Fall. I’ll most likely be sticking around the DC area, after that…out West, finally. I want to help make a differnce in people’s lives, strengthen a company, and get hands on experience doing something I’m sure to love.

I’ve got a few years, but I would love to join and help fight AIDS. It looks like serious excitement!

and I’ll have my application in tonight. Keeping my fingers crossed. This would be amazing.

Amazing opportunity to learn new things, experience life and meet new people!

I filled out my cover letter and resume today for a position in my home town.
Will drop it off tomorrow… wish me luck :)
(working there, even with all the crappy money issues is seriously my dream for the coming year. I honestly love the coffeehouse with all my heart.

I’m leaving in July for Americorps NCCC! So excited!

Yes, you get shafted financially and it’s ridiculous that you have to pay taxes on what isn’t even (currently) federal minimum wage if you only work 40 hours a week. And I probably wouldn’t have been able to do it if my dad didn’t help me with car insurance. That being said…I really lucked out on the organization I chose to serve with. I decided to serve a year as a VISTA because I wanted to get my feet wet and explore the nonprofit world without too much commitment. Not only did I get a great job (with a great organization and great coworkers) out of the deal, I got what I wanted in terms of exploring a career path in the nonprofit world along with exposure to different aspects of nonprofit management (a plus to working at a small organization). So if money is not the most important thing, and you are able to spend a year not earning much and willing to work hard and just see what’s out there. This is a great way to do it. At the end, if you don’t like it, it’s only a year and it’s over before you know it. Of course, a lot depends on the organization you work with as well. Don’t just accept the position before you know what you’ll be doing (and if it’s something you’re actually interested in exploring) and before you have a sense of the work environment and whether or not you’re going to have any support. I interviewed for one position where they couldn’t even give me any concrete projects I’d be working on! I know things change and such is the nature of small organizations, and I’m not opposed to wearing many hats and doing tasks outside my job description—however, the complete lack thereof suggests more widespread organizational chaos than I’d want to dive headfirst into…

My application is in, and I’ve received requests for more info and have a phone call lined up for today. YAY!

But I’m taking my life iin a different direction now. :)

Id love to hear from any of you out there who have chosen to do AmeriCorps. Or even if you are like me, weighing it as a possibility. It’s on my mind a lot and even though it is a decision to make entirely on my own, I’d really like some input from people who have been in my shoes.