By Nico Espinola Posted June 9, 2016
The local Americorps and Nevada Outdoor School offer job opportunities for seniors and graduates that can turn into a good career.
Zulma Mayorga, the Americorps Program Director, and Rebecca Gray, the Director of Finance, talked about these opportunities.
“Americorps offers unmatched opportunities for graduates and seniors. It is a really amazing opportunity in the community. It is a nationally recognized organization, especially for someone who is interested in government jobs.”
They explained that having experience in a government job is required in some job applications.
Students can get a year-long job, or they can also get a 300-hour summer position, both of which give students practical work experience for the field in which they want to go into for a career.
An example of someone who found a job through Americorps is one of the school counselors, Jessica Eastman. She was placed at the school through Americorps and was later hired on by the district as staff.
Mayorga and Gray explained that Americorps is for those who are 17 and older and has many benefits. Some of these benefits are the practical work experience, a living stipend of $1,100, and an education award that can be used for future tuition or even to pay back student loans.
There is a set amount paid every two weeks and a flexible schedule depending on the host site.
Another example of someone working with Americorps is senior, Joanna Hernandez. She works at the family support center in town.
Hernandez is the case manager for the drug court and the DUI court, so she helps the clients if they have to fill out forms for programs such as Medicaid or Food Stamps. She also assists those who need help finding a job, with food, or with rent.
Hernandez said that she is between the judge and the clients and that she really enjoys helping the clients.
“I really enjoy helping the clients. You never realize how much you meant to them. They appreciate everything you do, and they always thank you,” Hernandez said.
She also said that it is a job she would recommend to someone else.
One can apply by going to nevadaoutdoorschool.org or americorps.gov. Then one would have to develop a profile, which is essentially a resume, and follow the application process from there.
