Disclaimer: This is one of the assignments I was tasked with during my interview with AmeriCorps Alums. The contents of this article in no way reflect the thoughts and opinions of that organization. I have no affiliation with AmeriCorps Alums, nor have I ever served as an AmeriCorps Volunteer. I just thought it would be interesting to share. ~Akuba
If you’ve ever read an article about AmeriCorps, chances are you’ve seen the statistics on the number of individuals that commit to service terms with theorganization. Perhaps you benefited from one of the many programs or read articles about the organizations and communities they enrich. Or, maybe you’ve heard about the various programs organized and executed by AmeriCorps Alums.
AmeriCorps has provided thousands of individuals the opportunity to serve their community and country through volunteerism and leadership. Since its inception in 1994, over 700,000 individuals have answered the call to service by joining AmeriCorps.
AmeriCorps Alums is a network of AmeriCorps volunteers founded in 1999 whose main purpose is to encourage AmeriCorps members to continue a lifestyle of service beyond the ten month to one year service term. AmeriCorps Alums stand out from other alumni organizations because it calls for every member to commit to honing their leadership abilities through activities planned within their chapter. Alumni nationwide have the opportunity to manage business relationships as well as plan and execute major events on behalf of corporations.
It’s difficult not to mention Millennials when discussing the “type” of individual that joins AmeriCorps. Millennials make up a higher percentage of the organization’s volunteers than any other group. A study performed by the Corporation for National and Community Service and Abt Associates Inc. indicated that in 2008, the median age for AmeriCorps enrollment was 23.8 years.
The lines are unclear about the exact age of this cohort, but many believe that the age range spans from people born in the late 1970s up to the year 2000. Also known as Generation Y, Echo Boomers and the Facebook generation, this group is notoriously attached to technology, are inundated with electronic distractions and have a propensity to question authority. They lack loyalty to employers, expect to move up the corporate ladder quickly, demand work-life balance, are socially conscious and prefer working in group settings.
Despite the idiosyncrasies and demands of Millennials, AmeriCorps is one of the leading organizations providing the structure and access to service opportunities that their altruistic nature desires. Make no mistake about it, these civic-minded adults grew up accustomed to certain comforts older generations never experienced. Yet, in spite of these comforts, what you see in an AmeriCorps member is someone who chooses to delay entrance into the workforce and has forgone financial stability to serve others. “A full-time AmeriCorps member gives 1,700 hours of service, at very modest subsistence wages with no creature comforts,” said Ben Duda, Executive Director of AmeriCorps Alums. What employer would not want an individual that puts other people’s needs before their own and seeks self-fulfillment over a high paying salary?
It’s true that Millennials clash with their older colleagues due to differing work values. Naturally, these differences may make Millennials seem like less than desirable employment candidates. The truth of the matter is: the rock star employee or coworker sitting next to you may very well be AmeriCorps Alum.
Individuals that choose to serve through AmeriCorps and commit to alumni leadership roles after their term gain skills that give them a competitive edge in this twenty-first century professional landscape. “Some of the job skills I learned from my AmeriCorps service term included interpersonal communication with clients, empathy, program development, team work and public speaking skills,” says Ayana Lewis (Hands on Atlanta, 2002-2003). Most alumni have sufficient business experience and corporate exposure before ever stepping foot in their first job. Combine these skills with Millennials ability to multitask, problem-solve ambition and eagerness to learn and you get individuals ripe and ready to assume roles of leadership within an organization.
The answer is clear, AmeriCorps figured out a way to funnel the passion of Millennials to produce stellar leaders. In spite of all the nuances of Millennials, employers can rest assured that they get the most capable, compassionate and talented of individuals when they hire AmeriCorps Alum. What more can you ask for?
So I was reading a post written by The Fabulous Do-Gooder called One Shot Wednesday: Your Calling. She writes about the most recent issue of Oprah Magazine which features a section called “Find Your True Calling!-A Guide to Discovering Who You’re Meant to Be.” Bessie’s post and the magazine feature really hit home for me as I set out to really dig deep to discover my passions. I’m happy to report i’m on to something.