AmeriCorps

Four years have come and gone, and you now have a degree, but no job. Even though you've been searching, most of the positions that interest you require some kind of experience. It's a common frustration: how can I get experience if no one will hire me without experience? Internships may be an option in some fields, but they are often few and far between. Another option, that is available almost anywhere in the 50 states, is AmeriCorps.

A kind of domestic Peace Corps, AmeriCorps members work for a year in community building programs throughout America. There are positions available working in schools, with the homeless, those in poverty, community improvement, and the environment, among others. Different divisions of AmeriCorps include VISTA, National, and State levels.

In many programs, members are given a modest living stipend, health insurance, and childcare. Other programs offer training or even graduate level classes and credits. Community service often plays a large part in AmeriCorps positions. At the end of a completed term, members are awarded an education award, a grant that can be applied towards future college tuition or existing federal student loans. Those loans can also be put on forbearance for the duration of service, and AmeriCorps will pay the interest accrued on the loans during the term. The stipend, education award, and interest payments are taxed. Full-time and part-time positions are available, and you can serve two terms if you like.

I stumbled upon AmeriCorps while job searching in November 2007. I had graduated in May, and worked at Safeway over the summer, but I was really looking for a job that would have an impact on my local community.

I found an AmeriCorps State position with Partnerships for Student Achievement, which places members in local schools that have applied for the program. The schools each state individual goals; most in my area focus on tutoring those students struggling with reading and/or math, as well as helping with before or after school activities, parent outreach, and volunteer generation and coordination. Working in the schools gives great experience with children, especially for those deciding on whether or not they want to become teachers, before making the time and financial commitment of more school.

For most State positions, you need only be 17 years old, while many National or VISTA programs require a college degree and for the member to be at least 21 years of age. Applications can be completed online. If you're unsure where to go from here, you may want to check out www.americorps.gov. You're sure to find something that will allow you to work actively in your community while gaining valuable experience on a short-term commitment.