Let’s say someone (like yours truly) is a young adult with a few years of college education but no degree. If I want to jump right into a full-time, residential position in the public service field for a few months to a few years, are there any realistic possibilities? I would consider myself a conscientious objector (in the anti-war sense) and non-religious, so the armed services and things like church groups are generally out.
I’m applying to the Peace Corps, several Americorps programs, and the California Conservation Corps. Are there any other similar programs available, government or otherwise?
What about the National Guard? Can it be (or has it ever been) used offensively, or is possible to serve in it only in non-combatant capacities?
Or any other ideas? Just trying to get a gauge on what might be available. Thanks
Finish up that degree! If you want to help people, the more education you can get, the better. There are few jobs in this sector for people without degrees. Hell, it’s getting hard to find jobs even with a BA.
As a Peace Corps volunteer, I can say it is a great program. It works wonders for the communities we live in, and it is a good career starter. But you have to have that degree to join (the only exceptions are like if you have 30 years of experience building water systems).
The National Guard is in every sense the US military. If you would not join the regular service, you would equally not want to join the NG.
The difference between the Guard & the DOD is entirely how they are funded and ostensibly managed when not in use. IOW, the differences are way up high in the bureacracy and mostly theoretical, not down low where the soldiers & airmen are. And they make no practical difference in the missions performed by units, nor the tasks performed by individuals.
Army Guardsmen are in Iraq today driving through the streets shooting bad guys and absorbing IEDs. Air Guardsmen are in Iraq fixing jets, dropping bombs, and doing all manner of unpleasant things to the bad guys.
Technically you don’t need a 4-year degree for PeaceCorps. Practically speaking, unless you have a very well-established career in a somewhat skilled, technical trade, there’s almost no chance of getting accepted without a degree finished. You can certainly go ahead and apply, but I wouldn’t get your hopes up.
Another program is City Year, which is similar (and I think run by? with?) AmeriCorps, where you spend a year working in generally inner-city schools with kids.
The reason I’m asking is that I learned (the hard way) that I don’t have the discipline for a degree, apparently. I’ve been going to college for 5 years already, on my parents’ dime, and I’m still just a junior. I’ve been wasting immense amounts of time and money, and after a long talk with a counselor, I took her advice and withdrew with the possibility of coming back in the future when I’m better prepared. I’ve been on academic probation twice already and my counselor didn’t want me to take my one last chance until I was absolutely certain I was ready and able to devote myself to my studies.
So in the meantime…
Americorps has some really awesome programs, as does the CCC. Looks like the Peace Corps isn’t going to happen. Is there anything else like them, a place where I can just work, work, work (preferably for SOME manner of worthwhile cause) all day, sleep at night, and not have time or energy left to wallow so much in my own bullshit?
