Get to the Point, Volume XIX, Issue 19
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Transcript of Get to the Point, Volume XIX, Issue 19
GET TO
THE POINT T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E N C C C A T L A N T I C R E G I O N
F R I D A Y , A U G U S T 1 6 , 2 0 1 3
V O L U M E X I X , I S S U E 1 9
19 ISSUE 19 19 Tips for Life After
AmeriCorps
2 AUGUST 16, 2013 | GET TO THE POINT
I’m a member of the National
Civilian Community Corps,
an AmeriCorps Program.
N-Triple-C members are 18 to 24 and spend
10 months getting things done for America
while developing their own leadership. We
serve on teams to help communities
prepare for and respond to disasters, build
homes, and help the environment.
To learn more, visit NationalService.gov or call 1.800.942.2677
CONNECT WITH AMERICORPS NCCC ATLANTIC REGION
Sam McKenzie, Community Relations Specialist (CRS)
Phone: 410.642.2411 Ext. 6244 ● Email: [email protected]
Mona Hillstrand, Assistant Community Relations Specialist (ACRS)
Phone: 202.815.4259 ● Email: [email protected]
Ben Dillon, Community Relations Support Team Leader (CRSTL)
Phone: 443.995.7940 ● Email: [email protected]
Facebook.com/NCCCAtlanticRegion
@AmeriCorpsNCCC
NationalService.gov
03 Gallery
Images from Round 4 projects
05 Bulletin Board
Update of Independent Service
Hours & Team Reminders
06 Life After AmeriCorps
19 Tips for Life After AmeriCorps:
Selected online resources and
excerpts from AmeriCorps Alums
that can improve your transition
08 Alumni Spotlight
Katie Manchester, Class XVII
Corps Member, Class XVIII
Support Team Leader, North
Central Region
10 Community Relations
11 Shout Outs
12 Team Project Map
About the cover
To mark Class 19’s
nineteenth issue of Get
to the Point, we are
presenting 19 tips for a
successful transition to
Life After AmeriCorps.
Page 6.
ISSUE IN THIS
CONTENTS
↑ Raven 2 member
Travis Hanes poses
in front of a school
bulletin board
while working with
the Reaching the
Summit Community
Service Initiative in
West Virginia last
month.
GET TO THE POINT | AUGUST 16, 2013 3
G ALLERY
Friends of All Sizes
↑ Buffalo 3 member Wayne Sun examines an earthworm dug up while
clearing emergency evacuation routes near Torrington, Conn.
→ Buffalo 1 member Alex McDonald examines a praying mantis he
discovered while moving furniture at Creative City Public Charter
School in Baltimore.
↓ Raven 5 member Chris May presents his teammates with a praying
mantis found while removing invasive plants from Valley Forge
National Historic Park in Pennsylvania.
4 AUGUST 16, 2013 | GET TO THE POINT
G ALLERY
↑ Moose 5 Team Leader Michelle Pinter-Petrillo uses a sawzall to shave
a two-by-four while building a house with Habitat for Humanity of
Greater Newburgh in New York.
→ Buffalo 4 member Kaitlyn Liafsha scrapes peeling paint from a
gazebo platform while working on urban beatification projects with
Baltimore City Bureau of Parks.
↓ Raven 1 member Bridget Kimbell paints a window sill at Phoenix
Charter Academy in Lawrence, Mass.
GET TO THE POINT | AUGUST 16, 2013 5
BULLET IN BO ARD
There are fewer than 100 days
remaining in the service term! Finish
your ISPs and make time with
your team count!
The race to become the first unit to
finish ISPs continues! Once again,
the Raven Unit has pulled into the
lead, but the Buffalo Unit is still
nipping at its heels!
Percentage of ISP Hours Complete
Raven: 81.20
Buffalo: 78.25
Moose: 76.12
“To find joy in work is to discover the
fountain of youth.” - Pearl S. Buck
6 AUGUST 16, 2013 | GET TO THE POINT
L I FE AFTER AMERICORP S
TIPS FOR LIFE AFTER AMERICORPS
T o mark the nineteenth issue of Get to the Point, we’re presenting
19 tips for making a successful transition to Life After AmeriCorps.
Whether you choose to further your education, start a career, or
continue full-time community service, these tips can help you take ad-
vantage of opportunities and maximize the experience you’ve gained
as a Corps Member. In addition to selected online resources, we have
included excerpts from the website of AmeriCorps Alums, a national
network of AmeriCorps alumni established by Points of Light. For more
information, or to become a member, visit AmeriCorpsAlums.org
16
19 REVIEW YOUR RESUME
“While we hope that everyone knows Ameri-
Corps, your accomplishments need to stand
on their own regardless of how much the
employer knows about national service. Ask
someone to review your resume who doesn’t
know about AmeriCorps or what you did
during your service to make sure that it is
clearly articulated. Since many employers
will look at a resume first (and in some cases,
only look at your resume) be sure to include
under your address a note that you will be
relocating to X city by X date.”
Excerpt from Ask the Career Coach: How to
Relocate for an Out-of-State Job on the
AmeriCorps Alums Blog
NETWORK ONLINE
18 Enhance your professional network
by joining the AmeriCorps Alums
LinkedIn Group. If you’re new to LinkedIn,
watch the AmeriCorps Alums webinar on
how to get started.
TAP INTO BIG RESOURCES
17 Look for job postings by umbrella
organizations. “Examples include
professional associations like The Center For
Association Leadership, Government Associ-
ations, United Way chapters, HandsOn Net-
work Volunteer Action Centers, Net Impact
Chapters, community foundations and local
nonprofit associations.”
Excerpt from Ask the Career Coach: How to
Relocate for an Out-of-State Job on the
AmeriCorps Alums Blog
PLAN TO RELOCATE
“FindYourSpot.com is a fun website to help
you think through factors that matter in a
new geographic location. If you can afford
it, plan a visit now and set up as many net-
working meetings as possible.”
Excerpt from Ask the Career Coach: How
to Relocate for an Out-of-State Job on the
AmeriCorps Alums Blog
PARTICIPATE IN WEBINARS
15 Each month, AmeriCorps Alums
conducts a career webinar that aims
to improve your knowledge around a varie-
ty of career topics. Topics include a wide
array of subjects, ranging from leadership
and resume assistance to career panels and
graduate school planning.
FIND A FLEXIBLE TRANSITION JOB
14 Look for jobs that allow you to
telecommute or keep a flexible
schedule while transitioning between loca-
tions after AmeriCorps. Websites like
FlexJobs.com are reliable resources for
flexible, entry-level jobs in several career
fields.
LOOK FOR STEPPINGSTONES
Denise Riebman, Career Coach Columnist for
AmeriCorps Alums: “Explore positions at
organizations which are working on a broad
range of issues so that you could land a posi-
tion based on your current experience and
transition into other projects and roles with-
in the same place. I worked with a student
who accepted a position within the Depart-
ment of Education that was not in her pre-
ferred area. However, once she was settled
into her role, she offered to assist with addi-
tional projects beyond her initial scope of
work that extended into her ideal area of
interest. She built her experience and reputa-
tion for this area until she eventually transi-
tioned into a new role within the agency.”
Excerpt from Ask the Career Coach: Shifting
Career Fields on the AmeriCorps Alums Blog
RESEARCH NON-PROFITS
12 If you’re interested in working in
the non-profit field, GuideStar.org
is a great resource for finding organizations
that do the work you are passionate about.
13
GET TO THE POINT | AUGUST 16, 2013 7
L I FE AFTER AMERICORP S
11 7
4 EXPAND CAREER SKILLS THROUGH
ALUMS CHAPTER LEADERSHIP
Dhri Pandya, co-president, North Texas
Chapter of AmeriCorps Alums: “In just a
year, it has been a tremendously enriching
experience. From creating a media strategy
to engage more alumni to working with local
AmeriCorps programs to form the North
Texas AmeriCorps Alliance, the position as
Chapter Leader has allowed me to hone pro-
fessional skills in ways I never would have
imagined of a volunteer position. In addition,
I have been able to develop knowledge in the
areas of public relations, marketing, and
communications. These additional skills have
allowed me to take more initiative in areas of
my “day job” not normally within my scope
of work. Not only that, it has been wonderful
getting to know my local AmeriCorps peers
and work with AmeriCorps Alumni who have
become not only professional connections
but dear friends.”
Excerpt from the AmeriCorps Alums Career
Newsletter, May 2013
CONSIDER TEACHING
10 For anyone interested in teaching
or working in the field of educa-
tion, TeachForAmerica.org has an amazing
list of resources and domestic education
programs.
TALK TO STAFF MEMBERS
9 Atlantic Region staff members have a
wealth of knowledge, experience, and
professional networks. Take some time to
talk to staff members, whether in person or
via email, about their career paths and how
their service experience has shaped their
professions.
TALK TO THE CORPS
8 Your fellow Corps Members are some of
your best resources. Some members
have taught or served abroad, earned bache-
lor’s or master’s degrees, gone on missions
trips, or spent time in the professional world.
Ask around. You may be surprised at what
opportunities you find.
LOOK FOR AMERICORPS POSITIONS
IN YOUR AREA OF INTEREST
“After my year in NCCC, I had come a little
closer to identifying a few professional
goals. My interests pointed me towards
Higher Education and I began to look for a
way to connect this field with civic engage-
ment. Along came an AmeriCorps VISTA
position that fit like a glove. I applied for
and was hired as the AmeriCorps VISTA in
the Office of Service-Learning at Gannon
University in Erie, PA where I am currently
finishing my year of service. The position is
part of a collaborative project called Lake
Effect Leaders which is made up of 4 colleg-
es and 12 non-profit organizations in the
region. It was the diverse experiences that
I had in NCCC that made my resume stand
out. Not only did my projects provide the
extra “wow factor” that my supervisor was
looking for, but they provided me with
endless stories to tell during the interview.”
Jennifer Schadd, Class 18 Alumna, South-
west Region
SEARCH USAJOBS FOR OPEN
POSITIONS WITH CNCS
6 The Corporation for National and
Community Service (CNCS) regularly
posts job openings on USAJobs.gov, the
Federal Government’s official job site.
UTILIZE LIFE AFTER AMERICORPS DAYS
5 With hurricane season and the end of
the service term nearing, remember to
use your LAA days to polish your resume,
apply to jobs or schools, or simply do re-
search on possible service opportunities.
USE YOUR EDUCATION AWARD FOR
SPECIAL INTEREST PROGRAMS
“Some alums have been able to use their Ed
Award to pay for special interests classes,
including EMT training, SCUBA lessons,
photography courses, and sewing classes.
Some of these courses eventually turned a
hobby into a career path for our alums! Oth-
er alums were able to enroll in study abroad
programs, even after graduating from school.
Check with your institution to make sure that
the Ed Award is accepted in its programs.”
Excerpt from Using Your Segal Education
Award in the New Year from the Ameri-
Corps Alums Blog
ASK FOR REFERENCES IN ADVANCE
3 If you want to use your Team Leader,
Unit Leader, or another NCCC staff
member as a reference, make sure to ask
them before applying for a job. They will
appreciate your pro-activeness and will have
more time to prepare a well-written refer-
ence letter.
BUILD RAPPORT WITH PROJECT SPONSORS
2 It’s not uncommon for AmeriCorps
alumni to land jobs with previous pro-
ject sponsors. Take advantage of the fact that
you already have your foot in the door with
employees of several non-profit organiza-
tions. Talk to them about your career inter-
ests and keep in touch with them about posi-
tion openings.
PREPARE FOR LIFE AFTER
AMERICORPS DAY
1 The Atlantic Region Life After Ameri-
Corps Day will include guest panels on
international and domestic service opportu-
nities, as well additional AmeriCorps oppor-
tunities, and a resource fair with representa-
tives from several non-profit organizations
and colleges. Once the list of attending or-
ganizations is finalized, you should tailor
your resume to your areas of interest and
come prepared to speak with representatives
about your experience.
8 AUGUST 16, 2013 | GET TO THE POINT
ALUM NI SPOTL IGHT
Why did you join NCCC? An
opportunity to serve our country and to
assist those in need.
What was your favorite aspect of
NCCC? The variety of service projects.
What was your most interesting
project? I really can’t pick just one. My
team had the opportunity to serve on seven
projects throughout the year with three of
those being disaster projects. The disaster
projects provided variety, having assisted
in three different capacities; needs
assessment, shelter operations, and
mucking and gutting.
KATIE MANCHESTER INTERVIEW BY STEPHANIE FERGUSON
What was the most challenging
aspect? Getting used to living with a team
of nine and not having much time to
myself.
Can you tell us a story in which you
learned something about yourself
through service? I learned that I am
capable of going with the flow. As someone
who plans and likes to follow a plan, I
experienced many situations that didn’t
always go as planned. Having been pulled
for three disaster assignments, my team
and I had to adapt to the ever-changing
tasks and environments.
NCCC REGION:
North Central (Iowa)
SERVICE TERMS:
Class XVII Corps
Member; Class XVIII
Support Team Leader
CURRENT RESIDENCE:
Nantucket, Mass.
CURRENT OCCUPATION:
Office Manager,
Madaket Marine;
Founder, Volunteer
Nantucket (Non-Profit)
GET TO THE POINT | AUGUST 16, 2013 9
ALUM NI SPOTL IGHT
What skills did you gain as a Corps
Member and Team Leader? Patience
and delegation. With supervising close to
100 members as the POSTL, I had to put my
delegation skills to use. As someone who
struggles with delegation, I had to remember
that I could do things myself, but by me
doing them, what are the CMs learning?
What advice would you give to current
Corps Members? You can do anything for
10 months (and it’s worth it). The skills and
experiences that you have through NCCC are
unlike any other. You may not realize it at
the moment, but after completing your term
of service, reflect on it and you’ll realize it.
How did AmeriCorps affect your life
path? Volunteering has always been an
important part of my life. AmeriCorps NCCC
steered me in the path of founding Volunteer
Nantucket to promote volunteerism and help
others find volunteer opportunities on the
island that they are interested in.
How have you continued to serve?
After completing my TL year I founded an
organization in my hometown (Nantucket)
that connects volunteers with the current
opportunities on the island. In what spare
time that I do have I usually find myself
volunteering for many of the opportunities
that my organization lists.
“The skills and experiences that you have through NCCC are unlike any other.”
10 AUGUST 16, 2013 | GET TO THE POINT
Shout Outs
Thanks to Greg Starling (M5) for his quick turn-around on emailing a potential applicant and his
assigned alumni contact on the same day of our request!
Thanks to B1, M4, R1, R2 and R5 for submitting tweets early in the round! Refer to the glide path (at
right) to stay on track with tweets. You can submit them via email, text or WPR.
Thanks to everyone who submitted Round 4 press releases on time! We were especially happy to
see solid quotes from project sponsors in the releases.
TEAM MEDIA CAP ALUMNI APPS
BUFFALO 1
BUFFALO 3 6 1
BUFFALO 4 18 3 (251) 2
MOOSE 1
MOOSE 2 1
MOOSE 3
MOOSE 4 11
MOOSE 5 1 (1)
RAVEN 1
RAVEN 2 9
RAVEN 3 1
RAVEN 4 1 (14)
RAVEN 5
TOTAL 50 5 (266) 4 1
Weekly Updates for Media/CAP Reps. Media Reminders
Distribute Press Releases
by August 19
Round 4 GTTP Articles:
Buffalo 4 — August 18
Moose 4 — August 25
Raven 4 — Sept. 1
Phoenix 4 — Sept. 8
Glide Path for Tweets:
4 by August 19
6 by August 26
8 by September 2
10 by September 12
Submit a yearbook photo
of each member of your
team by the end of the
round. All members
should wear formal shirts
for the photos.
Media Reps have the
option to complete a
Team Leader spotlight
article to count as 2
media hits! Ask the CRSTL
for more information.
CAP Reminders
Each team has been
assigned at least one
alumni contact for the
round. Email your
contact to inquire about
a possible day of service,
social event, or
conference call
Events at Historic Black
Colleges or Universities
and Native American
organizations will count
as 2 events for your team
CAP Reps have the
option to complete a
spotlight article on an
NCCC applicant to
count toward your goals.
COMM UNITY RELAT I ONS
GET TO THE POINT | AUGUST 16, 2013 11
BUFFALO 1
Out of Baltimore. Mass, here we come!
Shout Outs? Shouts Outs are
short messages
submitted by
teams each week
to share with the
rest of the Corps.
Whatever it may
be, a Shout Out
is one little way
to keep the Corps
connected
throughout the
service term.
SHOUTS OUTS
RAVEN 4
Stay safe, Erin!
BUFFALO 3
We’re not lost, we’re on an adventure!
BUFFALO 4
Shout out to Megan Racine out there in California. We miss you a lot. It’s not the same without you and Courtney says, “it’s purple.” Happy b-day to our own Shannon Herr as of August 12. We hope the rest of the teams are enjoying their projects!
MOOSE 1
We have the best Team
Leader EVERRR!
MOOSE 5
Shout out to our Cat Lady, Laura Mahoney, who is out on wildfire in Cali. Get that In and Out Burger,
girl!
MOOSE 4
Moose Force wishes Snax and P4 the best of luck in Cali! Snax, safeguard those palm trees, and then climb one for RyGuy! It’s kind of like how Mulan
climbed that pole, but different. For more information, call your revered Team Leader. Also,
are you growing your hair out yet?
For Round 4, Atlantic Region teams will complete 19
projects across nine states. Currently, five teams are doing
environmental stewardship projects, five teams are doing
community improvement projects in rural and urban
areas, three teams are doing disaster recovery projects,
and one team is on-call for disaster response.
Where in the Atlantic Region Are They? Round 4, Week 4
BUFFALO 1
Russell, Mass.
Appalachian Mountain Club
Environmental Stewardship
BUFFALO 3
Torrington, Conn.
Torrington AHD/MRC
Urban & Rural Development
BUFFALO 4
Baltimore, Md.
Baltimore City Bureau of Parks
Urban & Rural Development
MOOSE 1
Elk Township, Pa.
The Nature Conservancy
Environmental Stewardship
MOOSE 2
Toms River, N.J.
Jersey Cares
Disaster Services
MOOSE 3
Burlington, Vt. → Portland, Maine
Charity Treks
Urban & Rural Development
MOOSE 4
Rockaway, N.Y.
St. Bernard Project
Environmental Stewardship
MOOSE 5
Newburgh, N.Y.
Habitat for Humanity Newburgh
Urban and Rural Development
PHOENIX 4
Sawyers Bar, Calif.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Disaster Services
RAVEN 1
Chelsea, Mass.
Phoenix Charter Academy
Urban & Rural Development
RAVEN 2
Hackensack, N.J.
Volunteer Center of Bergen County
Disaster Services
RAVEN 3
Queens, N.Y.
Respond & Rebuild
Disaster Services
RAVEN 4
Baltimore, Md.
Baltimore County Reforestation
Environmental Stewardship
RAVEN 5
King of Prussia, Pa.
Valley Forge
Environmental Stewardship