If you’re a senior this spring, then you’re feeling the pressure to get your resume out there and figure out the next step. The job hunt is on, and everybody is trying to beef up that summer job description to make it sound like a paid internship in NYC (do those even exist?).
What are recent SLU grads up to in the real world besides following Grace Potter around the country and missing The Hoot? Read on and find out!
Name: Natalie Dignam
Graduated: May 2015
Major: English/Creative Writing
Job: Americorps VISTA
Location: Manchester, New Hampshire
What is your current job?
I’m serving as an Americorps volunteer in the VISTA program (Volunteers in Service to America). I serve at a statewide nonprofit in New Hampshire called Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of NH as the Communications Assistant.
Um, what the heck is that?
CASA of New Hampshire trains volunteers to advocate for neglected and abused children. The volunteers make recommendations to the NH court about what services the kids’ need, if they should live at home, in foster care, or with an adopted family. As the Communications Assistant, I work on digital and print marketing materials and small grants. I also help advertise for our fundraiser events.
What is Americorps VISTA?
Americorps is government program that provides national service opportunities. Some people say that Americorps is the domestic version of Peace Corps. You may have heard of City Year or NCCC, which are also part of Americorps. VISTA is a pro- gram that funds year-long positions at local nonprofits across the country. Most positions require a bachelor’s degree. You are paid a modest (a.k.a. ramen noodle living level) stipend, but you get to put your government loans into forbearance and at the end you get an education reward toward your loans. To learn more: use your college-level googling skills!
Is your major applicable to your job?
Yes! Don’t lose hope, English majors! I do a lot of writing in my position. While marketing writing is different from my SYE, knowing how to tell a good story and how to do research have been useful skills. I also use InDesign all the time (thanks Hill News! Those Wednesday nights were worth it after all). Any tips for current seniors? Breathe. Also, sleep once in a while. I didn’t attend the Career Services networking events, so I can’t speak to that. But I did schedule an appointment to have my resume edited (thank you!). I also found my position on the Saints Link list- serv, which has a lot of entry-level job posting and is worth checking out. And I talked to my professors (I know, shocking). One of the best parts of SLU is that you get to know your professors. If you have questions or are thinking about grad school, talk to them about it.