Next Steps and Options

1. Next Steps and Options What to start thinking about to finish your term successfully.

2. What You Will Learn in a Cool 15 Minutes… What do we want to take away from this workshop? AmeriCorps is a SMART life investment! How to Finish Your Term Successfully Grad schools Career Resources

3. What will they do when I’m gone?! Ending Your Term Successfully

4. How to Confidently Leave Your Site • Legacy binderw/ 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

5. Local and National Options Grad School

6. Alumni Benefits • 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=SegalACEdAwardMatch • 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.

7. 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. * Mizzouhas a crazy fellowship program!

8. Tips and Tricks for Grad School • 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.

9. 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 on-base military housing or the value of a basic military allowance for housing.

10. 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.

11. AmeriCorps Works! Career Resources

12. Service is What Employers are Looking For!

13. Job Hunting Resources • 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/

14. Non-Competitive Eligibility • 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.

15. Career Planning:

16. The Perks of Service Resources

17. 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

18. 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!

19. 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

20. 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!

21. Action VERBS FOR RESUME

22. FOR RESUME Self-DESCRIPTIVE WORDS FOR RESUME

23. Good Luck!!!