By Jessica Mah, City Year AmeriCorps Recruitment Project Leader on the Bain Capital Team.

Some may argue that giving a service year is similar to taking a gap year. Time and again, I hear from potential applicants and concerned parents that serving a year will delay personal career goals. I would like to provide enlightenment on this concern and highlight the professional benefits of serving with City Year. One of the main reasons why I decided to serve was to make a difference while accelerating my professional growth and leadership development.

Throughout their City Year, corps members receive numerous trainings and workshops that not only improve their in-school service skills but also cultivate their talent as young leaders. Corps members have incredible networking opportunities that benefit their professional, educational and career plans. For example, City Year Boston offered a Bain & Company mentoring program for corps members and a Deloitte mentoring program for senior corps members this year. In March, City Year hosts a networking event in which friends and alumni are asked to facilitate discussion tables in over 15 fields of interest: college, graduate school, law, political science, law enforcement, non-profit and education, just to name a few. These discussions provide the corps opportunities to network, explore potential careers and brainstorm plans to achieve their professional goals.

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The skills, knowledge and tools that corps members gain throughout the year are invaluable. From professional development and leadership growth, corps members are well equipped to serve a year and then pursue ‘leadership after City Year’ (LACY) opportunities.

But if the benefits during a year of service aren’t enough, the post-service financial rewards Continue reading →