My AmeriCorps Advantage

There’s no shortage of life-changing experiences and pursuits of roads less traveled among AmeriCorps alums. Every individual carries with them unique adventures, occasional mishaps and astounding stories. My time within AmeriCorps NCCC was a once in a lifetime opportunity and it has truly reverberated into my everyday life, which now exists of being an MBA student at a top tier program.

           Business school students have a strong reputation of being competitive, cut-throat and in it for the money. Although that dogma no longer holds water as much as it used to, it is clear that I remain an outsider when comparing work experiences and track records. To most, my two years of AmeriCorps NCCC look miniscule and irrelevant compared to four years at Goldman Sachs or EY. However, after completing nearly three semesters of the program, I have a strongly opposing view.

           To explain, I will first do something that is beyond stereotypical but nevertheless fits the situation. I am going to quote Steve Jobs. Jobs once said "If you're going to make connections which are innovative ... you have to not have the same bag of experiences as everyone else does.” This is where I know my NCCC years put me at a distinct advantage to change the world. Innovation and creativity come in many forms, but I firmly believe that my “bag of experiences” is varied and diverse, and that will be my biggest strength as a future social sector change maker.

           Firstly, I have seen more of the country than most business school students. Not just geographically but also culturally. Being able to adapt to my surroundings and understand cultures before imposing changes upon them will forever be a cherished NCCC skill. Next, I learned to lead on the fly. There have been no greater learning experiences, no better tests of humility than leading in the trenches. Leaders in AmeriCorps don’t get a day off, there is always work to be done and challenges to be faced. Lastly and most notably, AmeriCorps taught me the importance of attitude. I learned very quickly that attitude is the only difference between an adventure and an ordeal. I consistently saw the power of positivity through the day to day brutalities that can come with inglorious work with delayed gratification.

           I am proud to explain my work experience on my resume to prospective employers. I have an answer, a scenario, a story for every single question that can be thrown my way during an interview. If nothing else, I am forever grateful to AmeriCorps NCCC for giving me that.

I'm always looking to talk about all things social sector and non-profit related. Find & follow me at @benjambradley on Twitter!