Next Steps and Options
What to start thinking about to finish your term
successfully.
What You Will Learn in a Cool 15
Minutes…
1. How to Finish
Your Term
Successfully
2. Grad schools
3. Career
4. Resources
What do we want to take away from
this workshop?
AmeriCorps is a SMART
life investment!
What will they do when I’m gone?!
Ending Your Term Successfully
How to Confidently Leave Your Site
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Legacy binder w/ a year in review
Leave a letter for your replacement
Train other staff and/or volunteers
Say Goodbye (don’t just fade off into
the night)
You can always keep in touch with
your site supervisor after you are gone
or follow your site on Facebook for
updates
Local and National Options
Grad School
Alumni Benefits
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A number of colleges and universities
encourage AmeriCorps alumni to attend their
schools by offering additional benefits.
Some schools will match your ed-award
amount (in full or partial), some schools will
provide scholarships to alumni, other schools
will provide credit hours for your AmeriCorps
experience.
http://www.americorpsalums.org/?page=Segal
ACEdAwardMatch
If the school you’d like to attend isn’t listed as
a matching school, just ask! The worst that
can happen is that they will say no. There is
information on the AmeriCorps Alums page on
how to encourage a school to become a
matching school.
Local Benefits
 Schools That Match the Ed Award
 Lindenwood University
 Any Major
 Webster University
 Counseling, Nonprofit Leadership, MBA,
MFA, Public Relations, Teaching English as
a Second Language
 Washington University
 Social Work, Public Policy, Business
* The Brown School of
Social Work and Olin
Business School have
hidden AmeriCorps
Scholarships. Ask about
them when you apply.
* Mizzou has a crazy
fellowship program!
Tips and Tricks for Grad School
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Check to see if you are eligible for the GRE Fee Waiver Program:
http://wwww.ets.org/gre/institutions/services/fee_reductions
Ask the Admissions Office if they will waive your application fee; show them your story,
don’t just tell them!
If you apply to grad school during your term of service and are accepted, most institutions
will grant you “admission deferral” so you can put off enrolling until your term of service is
complete.
Look for schools that offer scholarships to those with public service experience, and always
be sure to check with the Admissions Office or Financial Aid Office for these opportunities.
Use the “Complete Match” and “Partial Match” AmeriCorps websites to find schools that
will assist you in attending their school.
Some schools even offer credit for terms of service (Indiana University is one of them).
If you’re interested in traveling and expanding your service experience while in grad school,
look for schools that are connected with the IPSL program. http://www.ipsl.org
Depending on how long you have lived/served somewhere, in-state tuition may be available
to you outside of your home state.
AmeriCorps Specific FAFSA
Information
• Hiding half-way through the FAFSA, you'll find a question relevant
to reporting your AmeriCorps income so it does NOT count
against you when your financial aid amount is determined.
• For the 2013/2014 FAFSA (both the online and paper version) the
question is 44G and asks about living allowances given to
students, the military, etc. This is where you will report your
AmeriCorps earnings.
• The exact question looks like this:

44. Student’s 2012 Untaxed Income (Enter the combined
amounts for you and your spouse.)

G: Housing, food and other living allowances paid to
members of the military, clergy and others (including cash
payments and cash value of benefits). Don’t include the value of onbase military housing or the value of a basic military allowance for
housing.
more on the FAFSA…
• Though you won't get the satisfaction of doing the math yourself,
when you submit your FAFSA, the financial aid office will subtract
the amounts you list in this section from your income, giving you a
lower adjusted gross income.
• In other words, if your only source of income in the previous
calendar year is $10,000 from AmeriCorps, then for financial aid
purposes your income is $0(!), and you potentially could receive a
better financial aid package than a student who earned $10,000 at a
regular job.
• Be aware that other factors may apply here – for example, if your
parents still claim you as a dependent or if you have other assets.
AmeriCorps Works!
Career Resources
Service is What Employers are
Looking For!
Job Hunting Resources
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Locally: 501 Connect and TheRomeGroup.com
Idealist.org
AmeriCorps Alums
Networking (LinkedIn, and in person)
Indeed.com (combines Monster, Career Builder, local
listings & business websites into one search engine)
 http://www.philanthropynewsdigest.org/jobs
 https://www.opportunityknocks.org/browse-jobs/
 http://idealistcareers.org/nonprofit-jobs-global/
Non-Competitive Eligibility
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Former VISTAs who have successfully completed their VISTA service attain a status established by federal law—
commonly referred to as “non-competitive eligibility” (NCE) status—for one year following their completion of
VISTA service.
This status makes VISTAs eligible:
 For appointment by a federal agency into the federal competitive service.
 To compete for certain federal employment jobs that only federal employees are also eligible to compete
for.
Having NCE status permits an agency to hire a former VISTA who meets the minimum qualifications for the
position without going through all of the formalities of the competitive process.
To find a federal job:
 Go to the federal government’s official jobs site: www.USAJobs.gov
 Click on “Advanced Search”.
 Under “Applicant Eligibility,” where it asks if you are “A person with non-competitive appointment
eligibility?” select “Yes”.
 Proceed with your search.
 Next, make sure the employing agency is aware of your NCE status, by highlighting your NCE status in your
cover letter, resume, and through supplemental documents that most online application systems accept.
How to prove NCE status:
 Log onto your My AmeriCorps account after you have finished your service.
 Click on the “My Service Letter” tab on the left-hand side of the page.
 Select your service term and print out the “VISTA Certification of Service with Non-Competitive Eligibility”
letter.
Career Planning:
What supervisory, leadership or other experience do you have you
that may further qualify you for chosen field?
Why should an organization hire you? Or if you going into business for
yourself, why should a bank invest in your business?
If you lack some of the necessary experience for your chosen field, how
will you address challenges as they occur?
Identify three potential mentors/coaches in your chosen field.
The Perks of Service
Resources
AmeriCorps Alums
 Discounts
 Geico
 Quicken Loans (mortgage)
 Free Tax Returns
 Career Newsletter
 Job Listings Offered to Alums
 Join the Local Chapter
 Quarterly Days of Service
 Networking
Tips On Cover Letters and Resumes
ALWAYS submit a cover letter when applying for a job.
Your cover letter should explain why you are sending a resume, be
specific in the position you are seeking and how you qualify.
SELL YOURSELF! Connect past experience with the qualifications
of the job, make the connection for the reader, don’t leave them
guessing how you would apply your skills.
In the first paragraph it’s good to include how you found out about the
job, this would be a great place to name drop (but don’t name drop
without asking permission first!), and also introduce yourself in a
general manner.
In the second paragraph you want to connect your experiences, skills,
and interests to the job and the organization. Take the time to show that
you have researched not only the position but also the organization.
Paint a clear picture of how you would fit in and what you would bring
to the table.
In the third paragraph express your interest in an interview as well as
your intent to follow up. And always remember to thank them for their
time!
Quick Tips For Updating Your Resume
•Human Eyes: 5-30 seconds to impress your readers, don’t use jargon, make it
easy to read, and use keywords (but don’t be boring, use a thesaurus!)
•Computer Eyes: “Search Engine Optimization”: use all variations of the same
word throughout your resume so it will show up in their search, make the top of
your resume stand out in case someone looks at your resume from a smart phone
•If you have enough content for a full and relevant resume, 2 pages is okay
•Always quantify if possible: $, #, %
•Remember to answer these questions: So What? Who Cares? Why Does It
Matter?
•Format your resume to become a list of accomplishments, not just a list of
responsibilities
•Always include relevant, recent, or unique content; ie: activities, leadership,
community involvement, skills, presentations, certification
•Do NOT say “References Available Upon Request” on your
resume!
•Objective Statements are OUT and Professional Profiles are IN
• Why you’re a match for the job/company, what makes
you unique
• Don’t be boring or cliché
• Think of it as a mini cover letter on your resume,
make sure you edit it for each position/job you apply
for!
Action VERBS FOR RESUME
accelerated
approved
controlled
directed
expedited
implemented
interpreted
managed
participated
programmed
reinforced
set-up
supervised
removed
activated
assisted
coordinated
eliminated
experienced
improved
launched
mastered
performed
proposed
revamped
simplified
supported
reorganized
adapted
completed
created
established
expanded
increased
lead
motivated
pinpointed
proved
reviewed
solved
taught
repeated
administered
conceived
delegated
evaluated
facilitated
influenced
lectured
organized
planned
recommended
revised
streamlined
trained
responsible
analyzed
conduced
developed
expanded
generated
initiated
maintained
originated
prepared
reduced
scheduled
structured
worked
SELF-DESCRIPTIVE
WORDS
FOR
RESUME
FOR RESUME
accurately
alert
attentive
conscientious
dependable
diverse
energetic
expertise
forceful
independent
leading
objective
pioneering
readily
responsible
sophisticated
unique
active
ambitious
aware
consistent
determined
dynamic
enterprising
extensively
foresight
initiative
logical
optimistic
pleasant
realistic
responsive
strongly
versatile
adaptable
analytical
broad-minded
constructive
diplomatic
easily
enthusiastic
extraverted
high-level
innovative
loyal
participated
positive
reliable
self-reliant
systematic
vigorous
adept
assertive
challenging
contributor
disciplined
economical
exceptional
facilitator
honest
instrumental
mature
perceptive
practical
repeatedly
sensitive
tactful
will travel
aggressive
astute
competent
creative
discreet
efficient
experienced
fair
imaginative
insightful
methodical
personable
productive
resourceful
sincere
talented
will relocate