filed under: workforce development
When young people enroll in a Corps, they usually become a member of a crew. Each crew, consisting of about eight to twelve Corpsmembers, is led by a trained Crew Leader who acts as a mentor and teacher. At many Corps, enrollees are also paired with a counselor who helps them plan personal, career and academic goals.
Through classroom and field instruction, Corpsmembers can earn professional certifications and learn technical skills from their Crew Leaders, Corps staff members and outside organizations with which the Corps partners.
Corpsmembers practice their skills by engaging in community and environmental service projects designed to meet pressing local needs. By serving alongside their fellow crewmates to complete these projects, Corpsmembers build a sense of civic responsibility, gain hands-on work experience, and learn important lessons in teamwork, leadership and conflict resolution.
In return for their service, Corpsmembers receive a stipend or living allowance. Many Corps also provide Corpsmembers with a scholarship (see section on Education Awards) that can be used to help pay-off student debt or finance further education. When Corpsmembers graduate from the Corps (terms of service typically range from three months to a year), Corps staff and counselors help with the transition. Corpsmembers receive help building their résumé and practicing interviews. Many Corps have partnerships with local employers and workforce agencies. Corps also usually operate alumni associations through which Corpsmembers can make professional connections and learn about job opportunities. Corpsmembers leave their Corps experience with an understanding of the work world and a sense of responsibility to the environment and their community.
Published September 2017
Corps are locally-based organizations that engage young adults and post-9/11 veterans in service addressing recreation, conservation, disaster response, and community needs. Through a defined term of service, Corps participants – or “Corpsmembers” – gain work experience and develop in-demand skills.
Affinity and Identity-Based Crews and Programs
The purpose of this guide is to highlight the work of service and conservation Corps who develop and manage identity-based programs and crews, discuss the intention and purpose of these crews, why they are important, and how they have been transformational experiences for Corpsmembers and partners.
This study was intended to assess current—and projected—employment levels across these sectors with a particular focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) oriented occupations that require “mid-level” education and skills. This education includes post-high school training but stops short of a bachelor’s degree,3 opening the door to a greater number of students who are not focused exclusively on four-year degrees. The study was also designed to identify employer demand for occupations within these four sectors.
What Can I do with a Major in Natural Resources & Tourism?
The information in this article describes typical occupations and employers associated with this major. Some of the options listed below may require additional training. Moreover, you are not limited to these options alone when choosing a possible career path.
Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Careers Toolkit
Choose your outdoor career path! Get started by asking yourself some very basic questions. Even though you might not be able to answer all of them, it is a good first step to narrow down what you really want to do. Ready? Let’s go!
