AmeriCorps VISTA Curriculum: will an M.Ed do? :-P (non-profit, degree, work)

[phobrla]

Hi All:

I'm yet another upper-middle-class kiddo seeking to take advantage of AmeriCorps. But this UMCK (I made that up...) will be 80% done with an M.Ed in Instructional Design (Mizzou!) by the end of the year, and is thinking about doing AmeriCorps VISTA for the last 20% of his master's degree.

I've noticed quite a few VISTA positions involve curriculum design, which is great! Those same positions often seem to ask for skills in professional writing (that's my undergrad degree) and non-profit marketing (18 months' experience!). I don't yet drive, so I am a bit worried about 'car recommended' and 'car required tags.'

My student loans will be small (no undergrad loans, grad loans = <$15k), and the main reason I'm interested in VISTA is gaining experience (I don't actually have enough non-coursework-based experience to be anything but a "Training Specialist I." My dad also started his career doing the kind of work I would be doing (he ran the Detroit Compact for a couple of years). My brother is active-duty Army and, since I unfortunately can't serve in the Armed Forces (can't function without ADHD meds), I figure I should do some form of national service.

Don't expect lifestyle to be an issue as I am already quite frugal and live independently on <$900/month.

Questions and reassurances are very, very welcome.

----

Thanks!

Phil H.
@phobrla

[Cheesesteak Cravings]

If you get into VISTA, you should be able to defer your student loans. I did Americorps National Civilian Community Corps and that was an option then (2006-2007). The education award is up to $5500 which if you were to serve 2 terms (2 years) would get you $11,000 (taxes will be deducted if I remember correctly). Most people don't serve twice, but knocking off a 1/3 of your loan is a nice perk, even if you could pay it down faster working. Just be aware Americorps programs can be tough mentally and emotionally, and in NCCC's case, very physically. Talk to VISTA alumni if you can get a hold of them, an Americorps rep should be able to find someone for you to speak to.

[phobrla]

CC, when I get a hold of an AmeriCorps alum, what questions would you recommend I ask? I more concerned with a good fit at this point.

[Cheesesteak Cravings]

Originally Posted by phobrla

CC, when I get a hold of an AmeriCorps alum, what questions would you recommend I ask? I more concerned with a good fit at this point.

Ask them what made their service the most difficult. Was it the project? The lean living? VISTA is a real commitment, but many people will drop out because they don't like how things are going, or it wasn't what they thought it would be, or they simply can't afford it. If you're the kind of person that is used to challenging yourself despite the odds, you'll do fine. But if you're the type of person that can't tolerate when reality doesn't match the "ideal"...it may not be a fit for you.

For example, when doing NCCC, we had some projects that were great. They were fulfilling, we were realizing our potential, and growing as individuals. Then there were projects where we didn't see the purpose, the management was horrible and treated us like simpletons and it was hard to keep the morale up.

VISTA positions tend to be more administrative, less dirty work, but that brings its own challenges. It's not easy to leave behind a sustainable program you only spent 12 months on.