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Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Spend two years in service

I went to my college reunion last year and briefly met an alum who graduated in the 1940's. When he found out I finished in 1993, he asked, "So what have you been doing with the last ten years of your life?" Some might think his question presumptuous, but I kind of like it. It was a good reminder that we should be able to look back on our lives with pride, and without regrets. Plan now so you can do that in the future. Consider spending the next two years in service to others. Here are three programs that will help you do it:

* Teach for America calls "upon our country's most promising future leaders to commit two years to teach in urban and rural public schools and to become lifelong advocates for change."

* AmeriCorps "is a network of national service programs that engage more than 50,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment."

* Peace Corps volunteers work all over the world in areas like education, youth outreach and community development, the environment, and information technology.

Each of these programs pays a stipend and helps with student loans, among many other benefits. Is your life fulfilling? Think about how it could be. Now make it happen!

4 comments:

Karama said...

If two years is too much, try two hours of work at a food bank, or two weeks of building a house for the homeless in your community, or two months of teaching someone to read. Check out the United Way for shorter-term volunteer opportunities in your area.

Karama said...

For more volunteer opportunities (including Senior Corps, Citizen Corps and more), see www.usafreedomcorps.gov .

Karama said...

Consider also the Clinton School of Public Service where you can earn a Masters in Public Service. The first semester is Fall 2005 and they are accepting applications now. Some scholarships are available.

Karama said...

Here's the right link for the Clinton School of Public Service.