I'd ask what AmeriCorps is but I'm going to just google it instead. Yeap. I'm industrious like that.

I still have my really old pair of Chucks (bought before Nike bought them out), and man, I've spilled everything on them. I consider it a mark of honor.

There's an AmeriCorp outfit here in denver, and I knew many of the people in it because I shared a dorm building w/them during college. They were cool people, and it seemed they did a lot of hard but helpful work. I'd really research it before deciding.

I thought about signing up for the Peace Corps. before, but then I didn't.

Yup.

I was a VISTA for 18 months, long ago. It was a great experience and definitely helped me move into regular full-time employment after it ended. My only caution would be that - unless they've radically increased the stipend - it would be very difficult to live off the stipend if you have to pay full price for housing. If housing is provided or you have a friend or relative you can stay with, I would definitely encourage you to go for it.

Not sure what the rules are now - back then we weren't allowed to have a 2nd job...

Does AmeriCorps allow you to have a second job? A friend of mine did it (or something similar) in Sacramento and she did a little bit of side work under the table but was scared of them finding out. Of course, it might have been a different program.

My last pair of cons had bleach splashes from changing out the disinfectant on a commercial dishwasher. I was sad, as they were only like a year old at the time, but then I wore them for another six or so and it was alright. I tend to keep shoes for a long time.

woooo hooooo ramen noodles and peanut butter and jelly! just like college! see, i was frugal too!

and don't sweat it about the cons! they are supposed to take a beating! had you splashed the gas in your face, that would have been full of fail!

sounds like a great idea! - those are the sort of opportunities you should embrace when y're young - b/c with one thing and another you just won't feel you can when y're older - it's one of those ironies that youth is something that we only properly appreciate when it's gone ("Youth is wasted on the young." GB Shaw )

Just make sure that you don't jump into anything without full knowing exactly what you will be signing up for and committed to.

Putting something back is always an incredible experience. There is just something so damn satisfying about doing something for others. I know you're not meant to volunteer on the basis of personal reward but it is there just the same.

You know what really counts on a resume its how much can you make me not how much you have volunteered. In the last 10 years I have not received a less than 4.5% raise per year. I have done things outside of work but from what I have seen companies really don't care for example this year I have recycled almost 35,000 pounds of metals with friends, the company I work for could not care less unless I am doing it for them.