Volunteer work experience prepares students for the real world

The University of Wyoming AmeriCorps organization is seeking new volunteers. AmeriCorps Director Jenny Reese said the organization is similar to the Peace Corps where students volunteer a certain amount of their time in various corporation and non-profit organizations with some great benefits as well.

In AmeriCorps, students may sometimes choose their own project and organizations to work in and incorporate the experience as part of their course work, Reese said. Students are encouraged to work in a variety of organization in neighboring towns such as Casper and Cheyenne in addition to Laramie, where there are 20 different service sites set up.

“Many students go on to work at the Albany County Library, the Downtown Clinic, WyoCare, SafeRide and the AWARE program,” Reese said.

Reese also added that nursing students participate in the program as well as education majors who greatly benefit from this because they get clinical hours for volunteering, which directly applies to their school credit. Furthermore, Reese said the benefits are innumerable with the service. “Students gain real world experience, they get to know the community, it helps build their résumé and builds networks with individuals from non-profit organizations,” Reese said.

There are only three specific requirements that must be met to be eligible for a volunteer position with AmeriCorps.

They are the following:

The prospective candidate must be over the age of 17-years-old.

He or she must possess a high school diploma.

He or she must also be a United States citizen.

Enrollment is not only limited to UW students, Reese added.

However, many students volunteer because the AmeriCorps office is located on campus, in the Wyoming Union.

At the University of Wyoming, there are approximately 80 volunteers for the program, Reese said.

To get involved with the AmeriCorps students are encouraged to e-mail Reese, or visit the office located in the basement of said building. For more information, visit the website, http://www.uwyo.edu/uwvolunteers/info.asp?p=4554.

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