No. 10. Experience Dealing with the Public
Your experience dealing with the public is invaluable filling public interest jobs. Your duties may include answering telephones, event function support, or giving assistance to donors and visitors.
VISTA stands for Volunteers in Service to America. President John F. Kennedy founded the public interest jobs in 1965. VISTA volunteers commit to serve one full year for a local government agency or nonprofit organization. You can volunteer to fight hunger, improve literacy, strengthen health care services, or create community programs. VISTA needs dedicated people to fill jobs in public interest. Together we can restore life to communities whose citizens are struggling daily.
No. 9. Highly Motivated
Group projects make up the core of jobs in public interest. Your job will consist of board meetings, committees, fundraising, and donation campaigns. Entry-level personnel should have an ability to work in a team setting and be able to accomplish a variety of tasks. Nonprofits are always looking for highly motivated individuals that are trustworthy.
If you accept public interest employment more than 50 miles from your home, VISTA will pay up to $500 of your moving expenses.
#No.8. Self-starter
Supervisors in public interest jobs count on you to meet team project deadlines and individual goals. If your team must make a required appearance, and you have grant writing requests due, completion of both tasks in a timely manner is expected. One of the important qualities for a successful job search is an ability to be a self-starter.
To qualify for public interest employment, you must be a United States citizen, United States lawful permanent resident or national of the US, and at least 17 years old. VISTA members with a variety of life experiences are encouraged to apply. Flexibility, organization, and initiative in job seekers are a plus for jobs in public interest.
#No.7. Handle the Pressure
Jobs in public interest offer a wide range of challenges. Most programs seek volunteers with university degrees or a few years of work experience. There is no over the age limit.
Fluency in Spanish or other foreign languages can be helpful. The VISTA application requires a criminal history background check.
Applicants for nonprofit organizations should be able to handle tense situations with underlying root causes. Public interest employment deals with crises in people’s everyday lives.
No. 6. Social Skills
Job titles do not always match what tasks may be required of you in public interest jobs.
You may be expected to long hours on timed projects to meet scheduled deadlines. Social skills are of upmost importance in public interest employment. You will be expected not only to be able to report to your superiors but also show compassion towards those who seek assistance.
To apply for a VISTA position, you will need to create a profile in the online recruitment system. You can search for job positions that meet your location requirements and interest.
#No.5. Team Player
All VISTA positions are full-time, yearlong services. The exception is the summer program, which lasts between 8-12 weeks.
During public interest employment, you receive service and project training. At the orientation, you will meet with fellow volunteers, to get to know your support teams that you will be working with throughout the year. Here is where you begin to shine your special skills as a team player.
#No.4. Know What You Are Getting into
Be prepared after you accept a position as a VISTA. In a matter of weeks, you could be packing your bags to move across the country. You may find yourself in a new city working at a nonprofit position that carries a lot of responsibility.
VISTA offers a world of opportunities at more than a thousand projects across the United States. The majority of jobs in public interest come from government and private funding. Know the demands of your job and make completing it to your best ability the number one priority.
#No.3. Ace the Interview
Public interest jobs are not for everyone but if this is the job you seek, show your enthusiasm during the interview. Interviewers pay more attention to how you sound than what you say. You can fail a job interview faster from your demeanor than your resume. Those in a position to hire you for jobs in public interest will notice and remember a smile longer than which your last employer was.
There are public interest jobs available for service in the environment, education, health, public safety, poverty, and refugee and immigrant rights. You can become directly involved or choose a more behind the scenes position. You can select where in the country you want to go, with new projects beginning each week.
#No.2. Compensation
Many job seekers overlook VSTA because of the low pay scale of around $1000 per month. The program has more benefits to offer that make it worthwhile to look closer for more information on jobs in public interest. VSTA provides professional development training, health benefits, and relocation compensation. Also you get the satisfaction that comes from helping others through public interest jobs.
On successful completion of your volunteer year, you are eligible to receive either an award of $4,725 toward college, or $1200 cash. Various colleges will match the Education Award after your public interest employment is completed.
#No.1. Care about the Cause
Jobs in public interest strive towards supporting their organization’s mission statement. Either support the cause or don’t waste your or the company’s time working towards a goal that you are not passionate about.
Public interest employment will get your resume and graduate school application a second look. Take advantage of this experience if you plan a future in public interest jobs. Although volunteer work is considered nonprofit, it truly profits the people it is designed to help. It also benefits the workers who find rewards in helping others. VISTAvolunteer jobs are a life changing experience for you and those less fortunate.
“If you're not volunteering, do so. It will make somebody else's life better, including your own.” - President George W. Bush
