AmeriCorps Alums is the only national network convening the alumni of all AmeriCorps national service programs. Alums are encouraged to fully realize their potential by building connections and engaging with others to create transformational change in their communities. Since 1994, more than 800,000 Americans have served in AmeriCorps. We asked Greg Heinrich, who currently serves as the Alumni Mobilization Manager, to share some tips on how current AmeriCorps members can take advantage of the great resources AmeriCorps Alums provides. Here's what he told us:
So you’re getting ready to complete your AmeriCorps term of
service, and now you’re wondering what’s next. It's important to consider this
question before your term of service is complete. As with any
endeavor, planning often plays an important role. AmeriCorps Alums is committed
to helping make your transition from AmeriCorps to Life After AmeriCorps a
little bit easier. At AmeriCorps Alums, we believe that AmeriCorps alumni
represent the leadership pipeline for the 21st century. Here are a few top
resources that can help make your transition out of AmeriCorps more productive
and efficient.
Monthly Professional
Development Webinars:
Each month AmeriCorps
Alums conducts a professional development webinar that aims to enhance your
knowledge of a topic that we believe will enhance your career and professional
prospects. The webinars feature alumni with experience in the respective topics
that we explore, and topics can range from “Careers in Philanthropy” to
“Translating AmeriCorps Onto Your Resume.” All events are archived on our
website for future playback. You can also register for upcoming webinars on the
archive page.
The AmeriCorps Alums
Career Center:
As your service term
comes to an end, many of you will be looking to land a job that will launch your
professional career. The AmeriCorps Alums Career Center was created for current
members and alumni seeking to find a job post-AmeriCorps. If you’re willing to
invest the time to look, our career center offers thousands of job
opportunities that are uniquely suited to the skills of AmeriCorps alumni. With
over 675 employers registered on our career center and specifically targeting
AmeriCorps alumni, this is a resource you will want to explore. There is no
cost to connect to the Career Center, but you do need to be a registered member
of www.AmeriCorpsAlums.org.
AmeriCorps Alums
Chapters:
We’ve found that
AmeriCorps Alums love local, on-the-ground interaction with each other, and the
engine of local activity takes place in our chapter network. Local chapters
provide a platform for alumni to continue to serve, to network professionally,
and to connect with like-minded individuals. You can view our list of active
chapters here. If your city is without an active chapter, consider learning how
you can start a chapter in your city.
Of course, there are
other resources that AmeriCorps Alums provides to members of the national
service community, but these are three that we think are very relevant to
members preparing to transition out of AmeriCorps.
For questions related to
this post, you can contact Greg Heinrich at greg@americorpsalums.org.