Make a real impact on the lives of Ohio students and their surrounding community - become an Ohio College Guide AmeriCorps member and serve as an advisor, mentoring and guiding typically underserved Ohioans- first generation college-going, low-income, and minority – in getting the information and knowledge they need and deserve to prepare for, access and complete a postsecondary credential. The College Guides will deliver programs and counseling on college and career exploration and financial education to 6th through 12th graders; provide support to 11th and 12th graders on strategic and tactile postsecondary access and financial planning; and facilitate successful postsecondary transitions, persistence and ongoing financial education with high school graduates. Develop advising, mentoring, interpersonal, and leadership skills. Ohio College Guide positions are a full-time commitment of 1,700 service hours to be completed in 11 months, starting in August 1, 2019 through June 26, 2020. College Guides will receive a modest living allowance, health insurance, and an education award of $6,095 upon completion of service. Additionally, existing qualified student loans are deferred during time of service and a portion of accrued interest may be eligible to be paid by the Corporation of National and Community Service. The AmeriCorps Ohio College Guides will receive ongoing skills training, and professional development opportunities.
Service Activities
Specific duties include assisting students in making a post-secondary education plan; providing college and career information to students and families, creating and delivering classroom workshops to students, assisting students with their college applications, plan and chaperone college visit, assisting students and families with the financial aid process, identify students who may be eligible for scholarships, assisting clients with college and career information, providing support to mentoring staff as needed, and entering data.
Dependent on the AmeriCorps site that you apply to, there may be other site specific duties related to the position in addition to what is listed above.
Community Need Addressed
Endeavoring to fill the information demand in districts where advising is in short supply, the College Guides draw on the volunteerism and passion for service of those who know that one voice can make a difference. The AmeriCorps Ohio College Guides program places fresh college grads into middle schools, high schools and community centers to serve alongside professional school counselors and other school faculty and staff to help guide traditionally underserved young people and get them the information and knowledge they need and deserve to prepare for, access and complete a postsecondary credential.
Position Outcomes
The AmeriCorps Ohio College Guides maintains that all students deserve equal access to educational opportunities. The goal of the College Guides is to ensure that students, especially typically underserved students – first generation college going, low-income, and minority – get the information and knowledge they need and deserve to make educated decisions and plans for their future.
The College Guides is a corps of driven and highly qualified professionals getting a start in education whom students can relate with, confide in, and eventually emulate as they are guided in planning for their future and taking constructive steps toward successful completion of their goals.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Training
Professional Development
Skills you will gain
Teaching/Tutoring , Public Speaking , Leadership , Education , Conflict Resolution , Youth Development , Writing/Editing , Counseling , Communications .
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment