Pros
- My site was very hands on and let me take on a lot of responsibility. My supervisor was very flexible with me given the pay, and I got a lot of choice over the projects I focused on. - Ability to work independently and take a leadership role. - The CivicSpark staff is lovely and wants to support you. Very welcoming alumni community--CivicSpark alumni generally are very warm to fellows! - Lots of opportunities for peer development if you're proactive and creative about it. - The other fellows are great and an awesome resource. Decent career workshops and advising.
Cons
- Pay is what it is--it's AmeriCorps. Especially depending where you're located, it's challenging. Look for all the benefits (EBT, transit & utility discounts) you can get. - Grant environment and stability is tough right now (2025). There's always the risk of cuts, and the program is operating with fewer staff than in previous years = lower capacity. - Your experience can really vary by site and depending on your supervisor. Make sure to ask thoughtful questions during the interview process to really understand how you'll be spending your time during the service year. - No additional funds for professional development outside of program arc trainings.