So You Wanna Be an Americorps Volunteer

So you're thinking about joining Americorps, or maybe you're just curious as to what Americorps is. It can be simply described as the domestic version of the Peace Corps, or more fully, as an opportunity to give a year to community service most anywhere in the US that you choose.

The majority of people who participate in Americorps are in their late teens or early twenties, but older people are welcome to participate as well. There is even a division known as Seniorcorps that provides opportunities for retirees.

Once you've decided you want to do Americorps, you need to choose what site you'd like to work at. There are literally hundreds of opportunities, and you can stay nearby or move all the way across the country. Just go to www.americorps.org and do a search for the city and state you'd like to work in and look through the job descriptions to see what might interest you. If you choose to work in a faraway location, you will be reimbursed for your travel expenses, but in most cases not for your housing.

There are generally two different types of Americorps programs: regular corps and VISTA (volunteers in service to America). Regular corps programs can be full- or part-time and basically you can sign up and start immediately after your acceptance (pending the start of the program of course.) In contrast, VISTA programs are always full-time and you are required to have no outside employment or pressing commitments to your time. You also attend a three-day VISTA training session before you begin your service, and two additional ones throughout your year.

The other difference between VISTA and regular corps is that regular corps positions tend to be more hands-on. You will be tutoring children, building houses, collecting food, etc. As a VISTA, you take more of a overseer's role, promoting your nonprofit, raising money, writing newsletters, planning events, or even supervising regular corps members.

Once you've decided on a program to apply for, you can submit your application through the website. (A few programs will require that you send it by mail.) Be sure to read the description carefully to see if the position has any special requirements.

Most likely, upon receipt of the application, the site you apply to will ask you to come in for an interview-though some may be willing to interview you by phone. Although Americorps service is volunteer work, be sure to treat this interview as you would one for a job. Some positions are fairly competitive.

Got an offer? Before you commit, consider these pros and cons:

1. Americorps service is a full-year commitment. Once you sign on, be prepared to stay on for the entire year. Also know that at the end of the year you have to move on to something else. You can reapply to Americorps, but only for one more year.

2.The salary is not high. In fact, it is barely above the poverty level. Don't expect to be living it up, though you will have enough to get by. If you complete your year, you also get an education award of around $2500.

3.You get free health insurance, including free prescription drugs, but it's hard to get reimbursed for routine doctor visits.

4.Most of your new coworkers will probably not be Americorps volunteers. In fact, you may be the only Americorps member at your site. You may resent them for making a lot more money for the same work. They may resent you for encroaching on their workplace.

5.Americorps is a great chance to try out a field you may want to go in to. Such as medicine, teaching, fundraising, or business. But if you don't like it, you're still there for a year.

Overall, serving in Americorps can be a very rewarding experience. It says something to give a year of your life to helping the community. You'll learn a lot about yourself and about this diverse nation. And you'll be a better person for it.