I want to serve my country after graduating from college. Not eligible for military service. Help?

[BreweryYardRat]

Hopefully, I'll be graduating this fall. I've got Attention Deficit Disorder (which is why I'll be graduating this fall, and I need medication to function academically, which disqualifies me from military service. Looked it up. (There are ethical issues, too, but I don't care to bring those up.)

Peace Corps is out -- I have no talent for languages.

I haven't seen anything on AmeriCorps or USA Jobs that says I'd be disqualified due to ADD, but I could easily have missed it. Can anyone here tell me one way or the other?

Any other suggestions would be great.

Edit: I'm a History/English (Creative Writing) double major. I'd like to eventually teach high school or write fiction, but I want to get some non-school life experience before considering teaching.

[Truth2Tell]

1. Run for office. Seriously. nt

[elleng]

2. I don't know about qualifications,

but my first job (after law school) was a great year in VISTA, Volunteers in Service to America. Check it out, and good luck.

[BreweryYardRat]

8. VISTA's part of AmeriCorps.

It looks worthwhile, but I don't know if they'd have me.

[elleng]

12. Please try!

We'd have you! ADD??? No Big Deal!!!

(Don't mean to minimize your problems, but doesn't strike me as a major hurdle to many things.)

[Dorian Gray]

23. Vista is great

as is the JVC (Jesuit Volunteer Corps).

[MichiganVote]

3. Get a job. Pay taxes. Pay into Social Security. Volunteer at charities.

[tammywammy]

4. What's your degree in? Why not go work for a non-profit? n/t

[EFerrari]

5. What do you like to do, Brewery?

Besides the obvious. :evilgrin:

[wellstone dem]

6. We have americorps staff where I work

there is no criteria which would disqualify you because of ADD. Apply away!!!!

[MadHound]

7. Don't know about Americorp,

But I would suggest you do what interests you, and what you have a talent in. When I was younger I volunteered for a number of years on a rural fire department. Lots of fun, occaisionally scary, once in a while really sad. You could also work with animals at your local Humane Society of no kill shelter. Or work with a homeless shelter. There are any number of opportunities for you to volunteer somewhere and make a difference, find one that fits you best and run with it.

[Obamanaut]

9. Be a really good teacher. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Teach for America, join the local Kids program

volunteer at a hospital as an aide

Many ways to serve

And the peace corp, some countries that have peace corp missions speak English as their main language... belize comes to mind

[Canuckistanian]

11. Does the Peace Corps absolutely require fluency in another language?

No, in fact, I looked it up:

"You may already know that all Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens of at least 18 years of age. Here are a few things that might surprise you:

* There is no upper age limit. In fact, the oldest Volunteer ever to serve in the Peace Corps was 86.
* You don't have to know another language.
* Having a four-year college degree by the time you're ready to leave for the Peace Corps will help your chances of acceptance. But it isn't absolutely necessary, and for some programs work experience, relevant skills, and/or a community college degree can qualify you."

http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.howvol.qualify

[geegollygosh]

14. But you have to go through intensive langauge training...

if they're sending you to a non-English speaking country. You just don't have to know a second language prior to applying.

[geegollygosh]

13. I've done americorps...

City Year specifically, and I worked with some other corps members who had ADD. City Year is specifically geared toward teaching and working with youth, though, so if you don't want to do that yet, maybe it's not for you. On the other hand, if you want to learn about inner city school issues without actually jumping into straight up teaching, it's a good way to do so. (Because it's more tutoring and youth programs.)

I very much doubt that other Americorps programs would disqualify you based on ADD. For some positions you interview with organizations (that are just non profits who are given americorps workers) directly, so I suppose that might be an issue for individual organizations.

[karynnj]

27. Nice comments -

His/her experience with dealing with ADD might in fact be a plus teaching here (or anywhere). He might be able to relate more easily to the frustration some kids experience in their studies due to ADD or other problems.

[yewberry]

15. I did two years with Americorps. They'd love to have you.

There are many, many programs that are available. However, if you're considering going into teaching, you might consider finding a program that will give you classroom time (which will help with certification).

The program I was in served underfunded urban Title I schools, elementary, middle, and high school (though the high school was the local BOC--essentially the landing spot for non-English-speaking refugee kids).

Look over the options at http://www.americorps.org/ --whatever your community service interest, they've got it. Do not worry for a moment about having ADD; it's truly not an issue.


Caveat: from my experience, it's incredibly hard. The stipend will make you cry (mine was $800 per month in not-inexpensive Seattle)--you will have to live with roommates, shop at food banks, work ten-hour days, and give up all extras. Heeding the "call to serve" will probably leave you in debt, hungry, and footsore. At the same time, you will have medical coverage, probably commuting costs (bus tickets), and a small education award (~$4K) at the end of it. Also, the difference you can make is amazing and heart-breaking. Direct service is completely mind-blowing.

Feel free to pm me if you'd like to talk about this or if you want details about what it's really like.

[geegollygosh]

16. I actually saved money on my stipend...

which was ~$700/month after taxes in Chicago (and this was just two years ago). I don't know how I did it. Hah.

But seriously, the stipend *is* enough in my experience. But you have to be willing to live in a neighborhood that isn't trendy, shop at Save-a-lot rather than Whole Foods, keep expensive entertainment to a minimum, take public transit, etc. For some people, it requires quite a lifestyle change. But I found living on the stipend to be part of the learning experience of Americorps.

[Dorian Gray]

24. Princeton in Asia

is a teaching program in Asia. When I lived in Hong Kong, I befriended the people teaching at Shue Yan College through this program, but you can be sent anywhere in Asia.

[ColbertWatcher]

17. What was your favorite era of history? Your favorite writer? n/t

[Heidi]

18. Get outside yourself (and I think you want to do that) by helping others. Become

an adult literacy volunteer. Check with the nearest local school district. Many need volunteers to teach adults working toward their GEDs.

ETA: Good luck! :hug:

[WVRICK13]

19. Confused

I fail to see how joining the military is serving your country. Do something worthwhile and work with the poor, not shot them in foreign lands.

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. Teach for America

We have several of these teachers in our district. It's a wonderful program.

[babylonsister]

21. Here's a link about Americorps:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NATIONAL_SERVICE?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[hootinholler]

22. Well we seriously need Air Traffc Controllers...

The effects of RayGun's union busting fire 'em all is that there's a wave of retiring controllers happening now.

Just a thought.

-Hoot

[Squatch]

25. I'm in the military, but if I was in your shoes and had to do it all over again

these are some orgs that I would seriously consider:

USAID, UNESCO, State Department Foreign Services, etc.

[MellowDem]

26. AmeriCorps for sure...