The follow are questions former volunteers suggest you ask yourself when you consider whether a year-of-service program is right for you.

 

What is my motivation for serving?

You should enter a year in service program keeping in mind personal and professional goals, so that when you encounter challenges at the site, you remember why you joined in the first place.

• Idealism
• Professional Development
• Spiritual Path
• Personal growth/change

 

What expectations do I have?

• Of myself
• Of the program
• Of my work

 

What do I have to offer?

Listing these assets will help you apply for a position, craft your resume, etc.

• Professionally
• Personally (talents and gifts)
• Strengths/weaknesses

 

How do I handle chance and stress?

You’ll encounter stress. Are you sure you are ready for…

• Moving and leaving current support system?
• A new supervisor, clients, job, and environment?
• A low-income lifestyle?
• Cultural adjustments?

 

Questions to ask your program director before joining a year-of-service program

 

What is your program’s focus?

• Service/Social Justice
• Community
• Simple Lifestyle

 

What is your supervising style?

It’s important for you who can balance attention to you with freedom for creativity and autonomy. Once at site, you can get what you need from your supervisors by asking for it clearly.

• Highly directive
• Hands off
• Adaptive of the member’s needs throughout the year

 

What type of placement does your program offer?

You must balance what you have heard about the program with what the program truly offers.

• Domestic
• International
• Rural/Urban
• Professional skills required
• Length of commitment
• Direct or indirect service
• What will I spend my day doing?

 

What can I expect from your applications process?

Sometimes the true benefits cannot be listed on a page

• Opportunity to serve; work for social justice
• Training and networking opportunities
• Career transitions support
• Community and peer support
• Cultural education
• Language training (when applicable)
• Room and board
• Stipend or living allowance
• Health insurance (does it include coverage of pre-existing conditions and certain prescriptions?)
• Child care allowances
• Student loan deferement/foreberance

 

May I call some of your former volunteers?

This is helpful in getting a different perspective from someone who has completed the program.

 

 

Adapted from Catholic Network of Volunteer Service website