AmeriCorps VISTA

Summer VISTA

May - August 2023 • Cleveland, TN

What I liked

I was assigned to a local nonprofit as my site I worked with throughout the entire summer. It was very hands-on working with a team, which I really enjoyed.

What I wish was different

There was not a whole lot of information about what exactly I would be doing going into the program, so maybe a better idea of expectations for what the role would look like.

Advice

Take every opportunity you can to serve and get to know the members of your community.

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AmeriCorps VISTA

June - August 2020 • West Alton, MO

What I liked

I thoroughly enjoyed working the teenagers of my community to better the environment. I also enjoyed educating and learning about environmental science with them.

What I wish was different

The only difference I'd wish for is for us to have spent more time together, but there were guidelines to follow to protect our health. COVID-19 is real.

Advice

I would share to be open to working outdoors and being flexible.

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Camp Counselor

May - August 2020 • Birmingham, AL

What I liked

Working with the community Professional development workshops Volunteer experience

What I wish was different

Advice

Multiple steps in interview process Very good for personal development

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Americorps Service Member

May - July 2020 • Grinnell, IA

What I liked

We came into a difficult situation trying to do literacy programming for children in the middl of the pandemic. However, my bosses were very kind and allowed for me and my colleagues to be creative in our work. Since we were given the freedom to enact programming in a way we found most useful, we got to enhance our skills of providing programming online and finding ways to entertain and teach children over Zoom.

What I wish was different

I wish I would have been able to work with the children in person, I feel that I might have had a more emotionally enriching experience and gained more skills for any future work with kids when this pandemic has passed. This is something that could not be changed as we were trying to be as safe as possible and avoid causing a surge in Covid-19 cases in our area.

Advice

I would say, be ready for curveballs and really tough situations; fight through them with your creativity--no idea is a stupid idea, only one that can be implemented and added on to. You have valuable skills as a young person, don't doubt that.

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Marketing and Development Assistant

August 2018 - October 2019 • San Francisco, CA

What I liked

Amazing experience working within new communities learned many life lessons and gained perspective on life, work, career, communities, family. Great support from the organization, and I learned more about resources and building character during the year. I also learned many practical skills related to my degree and field of work. I also had the opportunity to attend multiple training conferences and seminars with AmeriCorps and meet incredible people.

What I wish was different

The structure can be a bit unpredictable as far as once you're with your site organization. Most of the organizations that work with AmeriCorps which are working to help eliminate poverty, experience high-stress rates due to the work being done and the communities. This being said it is important to establish root networks and support and creative outlets to keep well being. Overall there is a lot of support and resources available, and the possibilities are endless if you have the right mindset.

Advice

I would say to keep an open mind and a positive mindset. Most of the people who enter AmeriCorps already have those two qualities. The service year will change you and I think it's most important to always remain true to yourself and your personal goals during the year of service and continue to work towards those. Also, the communities we get to work with are amazing- I would encourage others to find creative ways to get to know the people they work with and serve better and establish relationships actively.

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Tennis coach

June - July 2019 • Augusta, GA

What I liked

I liked working with the younger generation.

What I wish was different

I wish that they had more active staff.

Advice

Every job is not going to be perfect, but it is up to you to find ways that entertain you and help you get through the service.

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Environmental Educator

June - August 2019 • Knoxville, IA

What I liked

The overall experience, interpreting different programs on my own and helping with others. Biking to be sure that the trails were cleared, and my co-workers.

What I wish was different

What I would have changed was the supervisors trust in me, therefore stating that there wasn't always the best communication between us two. Also, I would change the fact that I would have rather seen all of the position details before accepting the position (ex: salary).

Advice

Go into it with an open mind, accept the challenges that are mentioned or offered to you. Always stay busy and on time, and be sure to take lead with certain programs.

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Vista

May - August 2019 • Wake Forest, NC

What I liked

Working within the community

What I wish was different

Organization was a bit off

Advice

You will learn so much about children and adults and how to be empathetic. It’s a great experience overall and give you a scholarship at the end if you request it.

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Healthy School Advisor

June 2019 • Brookings, SD

What I liked

I like making connections with other people in my field of study. Working with dietitians has allowed me to make connections all across the state that will be valuable in my future career.

What I wish was different

I wish the work had been a little bit more community based.

Advice

Sometimes it may feel like the work you are doing is not helping anyone, but you have to remember that what you are doing is significant.

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VISTA

June - August 2019 • Aitkin, MN

What I liked

I loved working with 1st and 2nd graders and watching them improve throughout the summer with their reading fluency

What I wish was different

Advice

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Summer VISTA Associate

May - August 2019 • Kansas City, MO

What I liked

I loved working with Amethyst Place, where I was placed with AmeriCorps. It was an amazing and eyeopening experience.

What I wish was different

More engagement and involvement with other AmeriCorps people would have been great.

Advice

going to a new environment, living alone, and working with your organization brings you new perspectives, values, points of view, and just brings you closer to underserved and marginalized communities.

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Student Success Coordinator

July 2019 • Los Angeles, CA

What I liked

I love that I get to continue to work with students even if it is on a different campus. Continuing to provide students with resources in order to help them become success is amazing!

What I wish was different

Communication with supervisors and being labeled as a "volunteer" on campus and not staff.

Advice

It will motivate you to continue to work towards student affairs if that is your passion.

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Summer Associate

May - August 2019 • Fort Leonard Wood, MO

What I liked

Flexible program with multiple opportunities to boost the community A Segal Award to pay for my books

What I wish was different

Shorter program duration

Advice

This program extends from May to Early August, thus it requires commitment

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AmeriCorps VISTA Service Analyst and Development Specialist

July 2018 • Prattsburgh, NY

What I liked

The North Country AmeriCorps VISTA Project aims to address the educational, residential, and behavioral health needs of our low-income community in Upstate New York. It is a collaboration of nine organizations that cover education, employment, behavioral health care, and agriculture. As an AmeriCorps VISTA, I use my background in health care and health policy to support Behavioral Health Services North (BHSN): a regional leader in behavioral health services with twenty-four programs that span from newborn parenting education to elderly caregiver respite. In the past four months of service, I have researched and co-written three grant proposals, supported two company-wide evaluation committees, implemented a new grant-funded program that I applied for, and designed several marketing and training tools for the company. What I like about being an AmeriCorps VISTA: 1. Independence: In the regular AmeriCorps program, program supervisors are mentors and AmeriCorps members complete the work done within a program (direct service). In AmeriCorps VISTA, VISTAs develop large scale projects that support a program’s capacity (indirect service). VISTAs are relied on as professionals in their field. You are responsible for programs you design, materials you create, and initiatives you recommend. 2. Challenging nature of the position: I do not have formal research and business experience. Four months ago, Six Sigma, rapid-cycle change, and marketing strategies were foreign concepts. However, I have been able to use skills gained in previous professional and educational experiences to figure out ways to support BHSN. 3. VISTA support and broad scope of skills gained: AmeriCorps VISTA offers free online courses, webinars, and trainings to help VISTAs develop skills that will ultimately support their sites. 4. Meaningful work: This is the second year of the North Country AmeriCorps VISTA Project and I am the first VISTA at BHSN. It is exciting to be trailblazing rural health policy research. Last year three VISTAs brought in 9.5 million dollars in grants to the project. The grants were used to support kindergarten readiness assessments and other community-based initiatives. 5. Gap year experience: Great launching point to go into school or your desired career. I’m going to medical school next year, and last year’s Project Manager got her dream job at PBS after service. 6. AmeriCorps Benefits: There are many that you can look up online. Two in particular that I like are the end-of-service education award (scholarship) and the year of service counting towards federal government work, which can eventually mean federal loan forgiveness if I work for the government for a total of 10 years. 7. Working with people who are passionate about their communities.

What I wish was different

I wish more people knew what AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA was. I also wish that I had sought financial advice and created budget plans at the beginning of my service year as VISTA had suggested. VISTA offers plenty of free resources to learn how to maximize our VISTA benefits, but I didn’t start taking advantage of the financial aspects until after a few months in. I also could have gotten a second job sooner than I did (after 3 months). A few VISTAs had second jobs lined up within the first few weeks, and they have been doing great. It’s definitely possible to work one or two small side jobs to supplement your stipend. When you’re working 40 hour work weeks, it’s nice to spend your evenings doing something different and getting paid for it.

Advice

Independent, indirect service work is not for everyone. You may not see the immediate success of projects you work on. Working for community-based non-profits may feel disorganized because tight budgets mean that supervisors have multiple roles. People may not have any knowledge of data collection and analysis. After the first two months, you may feel tired and wonder if you should’ve taken a higher-paying job somewhere else. However, as recent graduates, you can use your wealth of knowledge and experience to be on the ground with community leaders as they fight generational poverty and transform the culture of your community. If there’s any point in your life where you could dedicate one year to serving your community, it would be now.

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Summer Assosiate

June - August 2018 • Raleigh, NC

What I liked

The ability to go out and help people in the community

What I wish was different

Advice

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Americorp VISTA

June - August 2018 • Logan, UT

What I liked

It was fun to work with kids and to be able to work on my own projects.

What I wish was different

I wish I had better time management.

Advice

It is a great experience if you can be a VISTA take it.

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Summer vista

May - August 2018 • Logan, UT

What I liked

It was a fun experience working with a nonprofit organization that works closely with the community.

What I wish was different

Advice

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teacher assistant for summer school

June - August 2018 • Portland, OR

What I liked

The job was a paid volunteer position. It gave me a lot of experience i wouldn't have gotten anywhere else. I got to interact with kids between the age of 13-15 and it was a very diverse group of kids. i enjoyed that it was only for the summer and i enjoyed that once you complete the program you receive $1,000 to go towards school. Also during the program they give you about $500 every two weeks to live off.

What I wish was different

I wish it wasn't so early in the morning. And It's always sad when you see all these kids and the struggles they go through, you wish you could do more for them but all you can do is help encourage them to do well.

Advice

the job is through americorp, you can apply through their website. The applying process might be a little annoying, but it's worth it. The job is very easy, and at the same time rewarding. It gave me experience with a temperamental age group, and with children that have severe anxiety, and other disabilities.

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