Ohio College Guides @ I Know I Can

AmeriCorps: Getting Things Done

1. Wanna step up your commitment to community involvement and development to the next level?
2. Want to gain real world experience right out of college that can serve as a launch pad for your future career and education plans?
3. Need to find and/or challenge perspective on public education and economic access to higher education?

Volunteer full-time at I Know I Can through the AmeriCorps college advising initiative, Ohio College Guides.

An AmeriCorps commitment to service is full-time dedication, spanning 1700 hours, to causes and organizations that are “getting things done” in our communities. I Know I Can, as a college access organization, is making real impacts within the Columbus City Schools. Working hand in hand with the District, I Know I Can works daily (sometimes seemingly around the clock!) to promote educational opportunities through advising and guidance, and enable students to take advantage of higher education opportunities through two different scholarship opportunities. Each year, I Know I Can awards $1.2 million in grants to Columbus City Schools students!  With a dedicated full-time advising staff of six, and a population of over 50,000 to serve, the only thing lacking is more hands to reach more people.  

Ohio College Guides

The Ohio College Guides, an AmeriCorps program administered by the Ohio College Access Network (OCAN) and hosted by 12 sites across Ohio in addition to I Know I Can, seeks to provide those additional hands in school districts who need them the most. The Ohio College Guides places recent college graduates into schools districts to serve alongside counselors and faculty in order to provide a pipeline of new and current information about the college-going-process and experience. Ultimately, Ohio College Guides strive to be caring adults committed to informing, encouraging, and motivating students to think seriously about the plans and goals that will lead them into an opportunity-rich future.    

Service-Perks
Ohio College Guides at I Know I Can enjoy:

• Mentoring relationships with high-profile professionals of Columbus (check out our Board of Directors)
• Ample training, professional development and networking opportunities
• Option to intern in a desired field between service -terms

During their service, AmeriCorps members receive a modest living stipend and basic health insurance; upon completion of their service term, AmeriCorps members receive an Education Award of $5350 which can be used to pay for furthering education or Direct Undergraduate loans.

Available Positions:
Early Awareness:

• Serve CCS middle schools    
• Speak to groups of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders
• Run college tours, career days and other college awareness activities during the school day
• Speak to parents regarding college planning

High School:

• Serve CCS High Schools
• Work one-on-one with 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders
• Assist school faculty and staff with college tours
• Run FAFSA workshops
• Speak to parents regarding college planning

Contact Amy Wade at awade@iknowican.org or 614.233.9510 ext 133 or Morgan Cira at mcira@iknowican.org or ext. 139 for more information, or create an account on Americorps.gov and apply online!