Students Pursue Post-Grad Service

By Erin Horan

They have big hearts, big ideals, big ambitions- but not necessarily big bank accounts.

That’s what recent college graduates and some soon to be grads are finding as they turn to service programs as an alternative to entering the workforce.

Programs such as Teach for America and the Peace Corps are seeing more applicants than ever before. In response to a 40 percent increase in applications from 2008-2009, Teach for America expanded their corps by 10 percent. The Peace Corps also accepted a record-high number of applicants last year. Currently, 8,655 Peace Corps Volunteers are serving in 139 countries around the world.

Samantha Hunt, 20, of Cumberland, R.I. and a senior at the University of Chicago said post-grad service programs attract her because she needs more time to figure out what she wants to do career-wise.

“It’s not a huge time commitment, and you can make money in some programs,” said Hunt, who recently applied to Teach for America and is also considering the Peace Corps.

Colleges around the country are now expanding career services department to include advising on post-grad service programs.

Kris Silva, the post-grad service specialist at Stonehill and head of the college’s new International Extension programs, said her predecessor, Nuala Boyle, saw an increase in service applications last year.

“I would theorize that service is now an option for people who wouldn’t have considered it otherwise,” said Silva.

Still, the decision to serve is “really personal,” said Silva. “Some people know they want to go somewhere outside the U.S., and some people just want to serve.”

Silva said that as of Nov. 4, 63 Stonehill seniors expressed interest in post-grad service- that’s roughly one out of every ten students.

Silva’s advice to students interested in post-grad service is to start volunteering locally and participate in Stonehill sponsored service programs, such as H.O.P.E. alternative spring break trips. H.O.P.E. offers the opportunity to travel to one of eight service sites both in and outside the U.S. and spend spring break volunteering for a community in need.

Silva said prospective volunteers should be open to learning from the people they meet.

“Be open to experiencing new things, and be passionate.”

Silva is hosting information sessions for specific Extension programs for interested seniors. The Stonehill Extension programs are open to graduates as old as 25 who wish to serve abroad, experience another culture while living and working with other alumni volunteers. Since its inception just three years ago, the Stonehill Extension Program has established three sites: India, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras. So far, students who have completed the program have made lasting impacts on the communities they served, said Silva.

She said three Stonehill graduates left their mark in the Dominican Republic, where they served at a day care/ elementary school.

Kerri Young, ‘09, noticed that toddlers were confined to cribs almost all day long. She cleared space in their room for play areas where they could stretch and move around.

Jose Ramirez, ‘09, noticed an interest in basketball among the boys at the elementary school and organized a tournament.

Chris Ryan, ‘09, was an Education major at Stonehill with a focus in Early Childhood. Ryan single-handedly created a curriculum for the center’s three, four, and five year olds.

Kathleen Stephan, 22, of Albany New York is a 2010 graduate of Stonehill College currently working for the Border Servant Corps in Texas. As an AmeriCorps Vista Volunteer, Stephan said she helps immigrant women who were victims of domestic violence apply for residency.

One of her main assignments is to translate the victims’ first-hand accounts of their experiences.

“I want to convey how sorry I am, but it’s hard, because I have to speak Spanish,” said Kathleen Stephan. “I have to use the passive voice and gentle vocabulary…they’re all alone, and afraid of their status.”

Stephan said she chose the Border Corps program because she enjoys working with immigrant populations, wanted to live in a new place for awhile, and wanted to improve her Spanish.

Stonehill senior Laura Sidla, 21, of Burriville, R.I. said she doesn’t see joining a service program as postponing joining the work force.

Sidla said she wants to work in the field of non-profits and international development and believes getting involved in service programs now will strengthen her resume.

“If I could do service as a career, I would, but you don’t get paid for it,” she said.

The program that interests her most is Stonehill’s Extension India program.

“It’s far away and it’s for a long time, but I love Indian culture.”

Sidla said job satisfaction is much more important than a big paycheck.

“Work should be 100 percent personal. What’s the point of living if you can’t live your life?”

Still, money is a big concern for many graduates.

Many service programs offer loan deferment, living stipends, and/ or education grants to entice people during these tough economic times.

Kathleen Stephan is accruing $5,300 towards her student loans and looking into AmeriCorps programs in Boston for next year. Eventually, she said she plans to get her Master’s in Conflict Resolution.

Whether the economy has influenced the post-grad plans of today’s seniors or not, there is no doubt volunteering is good for the world at large, and individuals only stand to gain from the experience as well.

“I don’t know if I can afford to work in non-profits,” said Stephan, “but for now, it’s great to be doing something I love.”