Pros
Throughout my time at College Possible, I was consistently impressed with the professionalism and leadership of both staff members and volunteers at the site. I was spoiled; we had a great team. We focused on doing the best work we could while not taking ourselves too seriously, which I think made for a positive, fun work environment. I always felt like I could reach out to someone for help, whether that was my supervisor or my co-coach, which I have come to realize is not a given at every employer. There was also a ton of career-readiness support, from mock interviews to resume workshops and guest speakers for both volunteers and students. Additionally, I think the company's navigation of funding cuts this year was smart and proactive at the site I was at, prioritizing stability for the students they serve over the specificities of job titles or "national service" frameworks.
Cons
AmeriCorps members earn a living allowance, which will pay for rent, food, and car insurance but not much else. That's to be expected at a nonprofit. Given changes to the company structure in 2025, the pay might be better than it was before, though, but probably not enough for the consistent strain on work-life balance. On a different note, some of the videos and trainings we watched felt like propaganda, but those were outnumbered by some really great, varied programming at both the local and national levels. There might have been a slight overemphasis on scholarships, especially the really big and really small ones, but at the end of the day, it's a way to get kids motivated, and that goes a long way.