https://americorps.gov/

AmeriCorps

Summer Camp Counselor

May - July 2019 • Belleville, IL

What I liked

I enjoyed working with the kids everyday. I liked being involved their summer camp experience and part of their lives. I built relationships with most of the students and we had a good time together. I learned a lot at camp about tutoring and keeping kids entertained for 8 hours a day.

What I wish was different

I wish I had been better prepared, I did not realize how much work went into being a counselor. I am not an incredibly creative person, so coming up with crafts and fun activities was difficult for me.

Advice

It was not easy. I worked in a high risk neighborhood and a lot of those kids have suffered from poverty, broken families, and death. It's important to show the children that you do care about them. It's easy to become irritated with their behavior, but its extremely important to not show it to them, those kids deal with a lot of strain, they do not need it at camp as well.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

AmeriCorps VISTA

June - August 2019 • Marathon, FL

What I liked

I had a somewhat flexible schedule which allowed me to get other tasks done during the day besides strictly working. I enjoyed being involved in my community and helping people. I was able to get valuable experience on furniture restoration and food handling/serving. I helped supply a local church's free summer program for kids with lunch and snacks for a month. I also assisted in running the church's Nearly New Furniture Store that primarily funded the kids summer program and after school program.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have volunteered for longer, there is the option to recieve a scholarship that depends on how long you serve. The longer you work as a VISTA the more the scholarship award is, this bonus was a deciding factor when I was looking for how to spend my summer.

Advice

Look at the opportunities on the AmeriCorps Website because you can find many positions in many different parts of the country. I helped out in my home town, but there are positions needed almost everywhere and this could be an opportunity to travel within the country.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

STEM coordinator

May - July 2019 • Tulsa, OK

What I liked

Being able to impact the children’s lives.

What I wish was different

Having more resources to better the experience

Advice

It’s totally worth it and it’s an opportunity to grow as a person.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

ABLE Summer Associate

July - August 2019 • Buffalo, NY

What I liked

I loved working with the kids and having the freedom to design lesson plans. I learned a lot of valuable leadership skills.

What I wish was different

We had to complete 300 hours in order to receive the additional education award, but the onboarding process through the YMCA took too long and we missed our first week of service. This meant we had to work over 40 hours per week in order to reach our minimum.

Advice

This was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. However, it was a lot of very draining work, so make sure you have the time to dedicate to it!
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Americorps Vista

June - August 2019 • Logan, UT

What I liked

Working at the Cache Humane Society

What I wish was different

My summer was sad, a friend passed away. Made it hard to stay positive.

Advice

Get ready to sweat!!!
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Self-Help

September 2018 - June 2019 • Compton, CA

What I liked

Giving back to a community in need!

What I wish was different

Nothing, I enjoyed every part of my internship.

Advice

Don’t be afraid to learn new things, you just might open doors up for yourself!
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Summer School/Tutoring

January 2019 • Davidsville, PA

What I liked

Flexibility, coworkers, work environment

What I wish was different

office space, unpredictable schedule

Advice

Always ask for help
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Financial Literacy

August 2018 • Jacksonville, FL

What I liked

The service that you can provide to others

What I wish was different

nothing

Advice

If you to help out others become better version of themself this is a great service job for you.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Youth Services Intern

May - August 2019 • Sacramento, CA

What I liked

I enjoyed the chance to design and implement children's programming across the Sacramento County, as well as learn about the variations between libraries and communities.

What I wish was different

I would have loved some more responsibilities, but it was a great experience!

Advice

Ask lots of questions!
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Mentor

June - August 2019 • Parsons, WV

What I liked

I liked making a difference in the kids life that I mentored during the summer.

What I wish was different

I wish that we could have had the students for a longer time during the school day.

Advice

If you want to be a teacher one day, this is a great summer job for you because you have to make lesson plans and teach kids during the summer.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Energy Express Mentor

June 2019 • Weston, WV

What I liked

I loved working with the amazing group of kids that I had. And I can't wait to continue doing this for the next 3 years.

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Even though it might seem like it is crazy to have 8 kids, for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week for the summer. It really isn't. It is so amazing to see how happy myself and the other mentors make these kids, and how much of an impact we have on the.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

AmeriCorp

March - December 2019 • Detroit, MI

What I liked

I loved the opportunity to gain entry level experience. As the job market becomes more competitive because of the large amount of people with degrees, it is vital that candidates have entry level experience. This job gave me the opportunity to learn about working in an office and expanded my knowledge on critical non-profit skills.

What I wish was different

Advice

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Teaching Residential Assistant

April - August 2019 • Johnson, VT

What I liked

Working as a mentor with first generation high school students looking to go to college

What I wish was different

For working such long hours it would have been nice to have been paid more

Advice

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Team lead

October 2018 - June 2019 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I loved working with the children everyday

What I wish was different

I think the program could have been organized better

Advice

Have patience and keep with the program. It is a lot of work but it is worth it in the end
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Energy Express Mentor

June - August 2019 • Morgantown, WV

What I liked

I loved the work environment, and the children I worked with doing reading intervention were amazing. My hours were only 7:30-2:30 every day which was super nice. My boss really encouraged personal growth and reflection among our team members. Loved my coworkers and my kiddos.

What I wish was different

Obviously I wish the pay was higher but I can't expect that because it's service based. Other than that it was amazing, and I also got about 2,000 dollars in scholarship money after.

Advice

Don't do this for the money, do it for the experience- both work experience and a fulfilling personal experience.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Bronco Tutor

August 2019 • Boise, ID

What I liked

I love getting to get experience in the field I am going into.

What I wish was different

Advice

This is a great way to try to find a job that relates to the job you are currently getting your education in.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Summer vista

June - August 2018 • Phoenix, AZ

What I liked

It gave me an opportunity to run program and teach youth.

What I wish was different

Less hours or bigger stipend

Advice

Have fun!
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Food Recovery Coordinator

March 2019 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

Professional Development skills, network connections, resume building, social justice.

What I wish was different

Higher pay

Advice

AmeriCorps is an amazing way to transition into the professional world and learn to be in an entry level position. I have gained confidence in my abilities and now feel strong about what my next steps in life are. Plus, AmeriCorps has so many different types of opportunities all over the country.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Summer Camp Counselor

May - August 2019 • Miami, FL

What I liked

Engaging with the youth. Being able to help kids better themselves and assisted them college applications

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Always worth it
Be the first to mark this as helpful

AmeriCorps Member

May - August 2019 • Coralville, IA

What I liked

I loved being able to work with children and build relationships with them. It was such a great experience for me and pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I met many different people from many different backgrounds. I learned a lot about myself and how I interact with others.

What I wish was different

There was a great amount of paperwork/forms that I had to fill out while in this position that seemed very repetitive and unnecessary.

Advice

Checking and replying to emails regularly is a must in this position. There are a great amount of people involved in your role as an AmeriCorp member and communication is key to making it all flow easily.
Be the first to mark this as helpful