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CHICAGO, IL – Literacy Volunteers of Illinois (LVI), a statewide organization committed to developing and supporting volunteer literacy programs, hires AmeriCorps members through its Volunteer Outreach for Community Action in Literacy (VOCAL) program to assist in tutoring and mentoring for literacy programs across the state. AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance to cover basic expenses and serve anywhere from a minimum to a full time basis. Many of the people applying to serve as AmeriCorps members are seeking these positions to transition into careers.
Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers of Illinois, Dorothy Miaso, has been monitoring the success of AmeriCorps members since 1992. There has been a spike in the number of applicants that she is receiving in the past few years. “In the past two months we have received about 90 applications,”
There are many reasons that explain the transition from AmeriCorps Member to a professional career. For the Literacy Volunteers of Illinois, it is actually one of their program goals. One of the three goals in the VOCAL program is implementing a member training and development program. The training focuses on developing skills to have members successful should they want to pursue positions in the public sector, especially in adult education. “Trainings range on topics from ESL teaching to grant writing,” gladly stated Miaso. “These skills prepare members to be successful should they want to stay in the adult learning world. About 40 percent of past members have received jobs in teaching and coordinating adult literacy programs.” Some of the members have even taken positions teaching English overseas. Japan, Coast Rica, Ukraine, and Korea are some of the locations members have selected.
Over the past two years, there has been a significant shift for members to pursue graduate school. “Many members are opting for Masters Programs in teaching and public policy,” says Miaso. Amanda Dunker, a recent AmeriCorps member for LVI, is beginning graduate school in the fall at The University of Chicago. When asked why she chose school over trying to work, she responded, “I had always planned on going to graduate school. I have seen people move into regular positions where they were volunteering, but this is the route I wanted to take.”
Regardless of taking a professional or educational route, AmeriCorps volunteers are finding the experience and training from serving as a literacy tutor and recruiter invaluable. LVI and other volunteer programs offer an experience that assist in the transition into careers.
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