I'm posting this piece on the blog because I think it affects us VISTAs in a couple ways. First, some of us plan to move on to graduate school after complete our year (or more!) of service. But second, the current economic environment should be funneling more of the "best and brightest" into national service programs like AmeriCorps and Teach for America.
Unfortunately, at least judging by the reader comments, I don't know if this is even a consideration for most folks. And as someone who was born, raised, and educated on the East Coast with absolutely no desire to ever return, the number of people who think the country becomes a great void outside of the megalopolis is shocking. Well, maybe not shocking because, like I said, I grew up there. Maybe "sad" is a better word.
What is shocking to me is many of those leaving comments suggest recent college graduates move abroad to work. It's not that this is necessarily a bad idea. There are many benefits to even a temporary relocation overseas (e.g. exposure to a different culture, learning a new language). But to not see this country's current economic climate as an opportunity to effect some good is sad to me.
One shouldn't expect, whether the unemployment rate is 3 percent or 10 percent, to land their dream job with an accompanying high salary immediately upon graduation. Then again, I'm biased. There's nothing wrong with delayed gratification. And I am the eternal optimist; life always works itself out.
