By: Kethaki Nair
College has been an amazing experience. I learnt so much! I can now count all the world’s problems on my fingertips and talk semi-intelligently about what needs to be done to solve them. However, translating these opinions into action after graduation can be intimidating. As a senior I am confident I know a lot of things, I am not as confident I can do a lot of things.
The Green Corps is a program that can help you make that transition. In case you’ve never heard of the Green Corps before here is the spiel: The program describes itself as a Field School for Environmental Organizing. It is a 13-month program that includes intensive training and a variety of work experiences. Training involves increasing your exposure to environmental issues and developing specific skills like devising campaign strategies. Organizers are paid $23,750 for the year and there is a placement program for alumni.
The program sounds really impressive, especially if you’re the activist type. I decided to interview Eleanor Fort, a current member of the Green Corps to check if the program is really what it claims to be. Eleanor was a Political Science major from Vassar who joined the Green corps right after graduation. Through the program she has worked with a number of organizations including the 1Sky campaign and spoke enthusiastically about her experiences so far.
I was particularly impressed by the level of responsibility corps members are given. Eleanor found herself coordinating campaigns across the country, conducting press conferences, recruiting new members and canvassing. The experience is meant to prepare members for a career in social change and environmental work. As Eleanor said, “It has given me the confidence of knowing I can make a really big impact!” The diversity of experiences provided by the different rotations can be an enriching experience. Members are involved in a ton of different things and meet many different people. This includes fellow corps members who interact closely, colleagues from many different organizations and green corps alumni (80% of green corps alumni are still active in environmental and social change fields) If you want to change this country’s environmental policy, consider the Green Corps! You can apply through Experience and will also need to apply through the website: http://www.greencorps.org/apply. If the activist in you is really excited right now remember that the early application deadline is October 24! So hurry!! If that inner activist decides to get really excited next week, no worries the Green Corps recruits on a rolling basis throughout the year.
The Green Corps is a program that can help you make that transition. In case you’ve never heard of the Green Corps before here is the spiel: The program describes itself as a Field School for Environmental Organizing. It is a 13-month program that includes intensive training and a variety of work experiences. Training involves increasing your exposure to environmental issues and developing specific skills like devising campaign strategies. Organizers are paid $23,750 for the year and there is a placement program for alumni.
The program sounds really impressive, especially if you’re the activist type. I decided to interview Eleanor Fort, a current member of the Green Corps to check if the program is really what it claims to be. Eleanor was a Political Science major from Vassar who joined the Green corps right after graduation. Through the program she has worked with a number of organizations including the 1Sky campaign and spoke enthusiastically about her experiences so far.
I was particularly impressed by the level of responsibility corps members are given. Eleanor found herself coordinating campaigns across the country, conducting press conferences, recruiting new members and canvassing. The experience is meant to prepare members for a career in social change and environmental work. As Eleanor said, “It has given me the confidence of knowing I can make a really big impact!” The diversity of experiences provided by the different rotations can be an enriching experience. Members are involved in a ton of different things and meet many different people. This includes fellow corps members who interact closely, colleagues from many different organizations and green corps alumni (80% of green corps alumni are still active in environmental and social change fields) If you want to change this country’s environmental policy, consider the Green Corps! You can apply through Experience and will also need to apply through the website: http://www.greencorps.org/apply. If the activist in you is really excited right now remember that the early application deadline is October 24! So hurry!! If that inner activist decides to get really excited next week, no worries the Green Corps recruits on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Photo From: http://www.greencorps.org/newsletters
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment