Transitioning to full-time parenthood

It's important to support members who choose full-time parenthood. Jenni Ethington, a former AmeriCorps and VISTA leader in Spokane, Washington, left service to become a stay-at-home mom. She said having a support network was critical: "I talked to other members who were also parents, and that really helped me," she says. "Getting together with other members for playdates was something we did a lot. I also looked for kid-friendly volunteer opportunities in my community as a way to stay connected."

Volunteering for another term of service

First term members may want to consider enrolling in a second term. Because policies about re-enrolling vary among programs, members should check with their State Commissions or CNCS State Office. Remember, program directors have no obligation to re-enroll any AmeriCorps member, although second terms are possible.

To be eligible for a second term, members must satisfactorily complete their first term (which means meeting expectations). If members wish to sign up for a different program, they'll need to do the legwork to find out about the various opportunities. The best place to start is www.americorps.gov, which is helpful in outlining the differences among AmeriCorps, VISTA, and AmeriCorps*NCCC. The site also explains how to apply to each program.

Choosing the military

Joining the armed forces may be the right choice for members who are looking for a challenge, job training, and help in paying for their education. More information on the different branches of service can be found at local recruiting offices or online at www.navy.com, www.army.com,www.marines.com, www.airforce.com and www.uscg.mil

Working or doing service abroad

Many members may be attracted to the idea of working or serving abroad. The Peace Corps is one option. It can be a natural extension for service-oriented members who wish to seek a new challenge.

Other possibilities might include teaching English or other courses overseas. See ESL Café, FrenchCulture.org, or the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET) for a few ideas on teaching overseas.

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