Careers and Volunteer Corps

Environmental Education is a rewarding career path for people who enjoy working with others, continuing to learn about the natural world, and using their creative energy to build connections between people and the environment. Generally, the American public does not understand the complex workings of natural systems and their interaction with human systems. Environmental educators work to break down this barrier to better protection of the environment by sorting through scientific complexity. This provides the public with information it can understand and use, as well as creates emotional connections between people and the natural world.

Environmental Education includes classroom teaching, but it also includes a number of positions that use the great outdoors as their classroom. Positions can include naturalists, recreation program leaders, resource interpreters, and classroom teachers. Potential employers include nature centers, museums, state and national parks, camps, advocacy groups, and schools.

While there is no explicit Environmental Education concentration offered at Luther, it is possible to develop a course of study preparing for a career in this field. Students interested in this career path should consult faculty about courses to take and to consider developing an individualized concentration.

Environmental Policy and Management is an exciting career path for people who enjoy exploring various perspectives on a certain issue, working with others to accommodate those perspectives, and formulating rules and procedures that others will follow. Humans are increasingly interacting with and manipulating their natural environment. The role of people working in Environmental Policy and Management is to plan for, detect, and mitigate those effects on the natural world. They use their understanding of humans to advocate for the environment, manage environmental projects and personnel, and develop plans to conserve and protect natural resources.

Environmental Policy and Management can include a number of different positions. Most involve working indoors with peers who have similar education and interests. This means that teamwork, communication, and the capacity to work on office and paperwork are essential. Positions might include working for environmental consulting firms, federal resource management agencies such as the Forest Service or the EPA, state agencies that focus on resource development or preservation, or environmental advocacy organizations.

Students looking to get into Environmental Policy and Management must have a solid foundation in the social sciences. Understanding of the legal, economic, sociological, and political structures at play in the management of the environment is very important, but students should also gain a working understanding of the natural sciences as well. Students considering a career in Environmental Policy and Management should look into the Environmental Policy Concentration.

Environmental Science is a great career path for more technically oriented people who have a passion for discovery and ensuring better environmental stewardship. Poor air and water quality, climate change, and toxic pollution are just a few of the problems that environmental scientists work to remedy. They use their understanding of scientific procedure and methodology to develop pollution remediation plans, implement cleanup operations, and advocate for new and improved methods of pollution remediation.

Environmental scientists can work in a number of different environments for a number of different types of organizations. They usually spend a substantial period of time working both indoors in a laboratory or office and outdoors doing field work. Environmental scientists can work for government agencies to collect information and ensure less environmental degradation. They can work for business firms looking to improve their environmental performance or for consulting firms that provide this service for businesses. They can even work for advocacy groups that work to improve environmental standards and monitor what’s not being monitored by others.

Almost any position in environmental science will begin with a substantial training period under close supervision, so it is not essential that students entering the field learn all the scientific information, software programs, and techniques relevant to their field. Instead, it is important that students gain a broad and meaningful understanding of the biological and earth sciences, learn basic field study procedures, develop safe and effective lab skills, and are familiar with computer-based technology. Students interested in a career in environmental science should consider the Environmental Science Concentration.

Food Systems is a growing career path for people who don’t mind getting their hands dirty and working to lighten agriculture’s impact on the land. There is a growing awareness that the current system of agriculture and food production is broken. Students following the Food Systems and Land Management career path are devoted to developing alternative means of growing, distributing, and purchasing food. They use their knowledge of biology, finance, and management to develop new food systems and methods of growing and raising food.

The Food Systems career path includes the manual labor that is required in the organic vegetable and intensively managed rotational grazing methods of agriculture, but it is much more than that. It includes people that organize and manage urban agriculture programs that combat the nation’s food deserts. It includes the management and coordination of local and organic food distribution organizations and businesses. It can even include the management of alternative food retail centers such as community-based cooperatives and farmers’ markets. The Food Systems career path can include a wide variety of occupations and working environments.

Many of the opportunities in the Food Systems career path involve heavy use of management and finance skills. Whatever the degree, it is important not to overlook these areas when going into the Food Systems career path.  For those looking to work more on the production end of things, a rich understanding of ecology, botany, and animal science is important. Students considering a career in Food Systems should consult with faculty to develop a course of study that is appropriate for their areas of interest.

AmeriCorps NCCC is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities.

Summary

AmeriCorps State and National volunteers work with a number of local and national non-profit organizations and agencies committed to addressing critical community needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. AmeriCorps’ broad array of volunteer opportunities exist in every state in the union, as well as in U. S. territories and on tribal reservations. Volunteer stints typically last from ten months to one year and are usually full-time. Volunteers focus on working with one agency in a particular community. Volunteers typically have more flexibility in their lifestyle than some other volunteer programs and often seek out their own housing situation with the AmeriCorps living allowance.

Application Info

Applications are accepted throughout the year, though the application for a particular volunteer opportunity may only be open for a few weeks or a few months. Application processes vary greatly from opportunity to opportunity. The application process is operated by the federal government, and is accordingly very lengthy and thorough. Start early and be prepared to learn your way through the system.

Summary

AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers live and serve to fight poverty in some of our nation’s poorest urban and rural areas. VISTAs serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to create and/or expand programs that fight illiteracy, improve health services, strengthen community groups, and bring communities and individuals out of poverty. Rather than providing services directly to low-income individuals and communities, VISTAs strengthen and support organizations by building infrastructure, expanding community partnerships, securing long-term resources, and coordinating training for participants so that your work continues to serve the needs of the community even after your support has ended.

Application Info

Applications are accepted throughout the year, though the application for a particular volunteer opportunity may only be open for a few weeks or a few months. Application processes vary greatly from opportunity to opportunity. The application process is operated by the federal government, and is accordingly very lengthy and thorough. Start early and be prepared to learn your way through the system.

Summary

FoodCorps volunteers spend one year living and working full-time on school food systems in some of America’s most obese school districts. Volunteers build and tend school gardens, teach kids about food and nutrition, and help procure and promote local healthy foods for school lunchrooms. Volunteers are based out of host sites in one of ten states. FoodCorps volunteers gain valuable experience in growing food, building relationships, educating others about food, and becoming public health leaders. FoodCorps is a new program in 2011 and is affiliated with AmeriCorps.

Application Info

The FoodCorps term of service lasts one year, starting and ending in mid-August to coincide with the school year. Applications are rather brief and are found on the FoodCorps Website. The application is due in early April, and will be followed by a phone interview. You should know your status by mid June. Your preferences for a service location are heeded, but you may be offered another location depending on availability.

Luther Connections

Luther is affiliated with the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness initiative, which served as one of the five model programs for the FoodCorps. Luther graduates Flannery Cerbin (’09), Rachel Wobeter (’09), Stephanie Conant (’10), and Anna Wikan (’10) all are currently working for the initiative in varying capacities. Luther will serve as one of the host sites for two volunteers during the inaugural year.

Summary

Long-term volunteers with Habitat for Humanity help struggling Habitat affiliates in their mission to eliminate substandard housing in over 100 communities in twenty-six different states. Volunteers work to make these affiliates more efficient and effective by maximizing existing volunteers, increasing capacity for new volunteers and most importantly, meeting the housing needs of the host community by building more houses for low-income families. Habitat’s long-term volunteers are coordinated through AmeriCorps’ Direct Service program. Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps volunteers gain leadership and construction skills in a process of personal development.

Application Info

Habitat volunteers can serve for ten months, five months, or three months. Applications are accepted throughout the year and vary by the specific community to which you are applying. Positions can be found on the AmeriCorps’ website, but are probably easier to find on the Habitat Specific website. The ten month program runs September through July. Volunteers are responsible for securing their own housing.

Summary

Holden Village is a Christian renewal center set in the pristine wilderness of the Cascade Mountain Range near Lake Chelan, Washington. Holden is a unique place where people from all walks of life come together to live in community and be called, equipped, and sent by God—all while having lots of fun along the way. Volunteer opportunities range widely, and include just about any position necessary to the self-sufficient function of a remote wilderness worshiping community. These positions include utility maintenance, “garbology,” laundry, housekeeping, trails crew, and grounds as well as positions that more directly serve the visitors to the village such as craft coordinators, cooks, medics, and musicians.

Application Info

Holden is run entirely by volunteers, and is always in need of short-term volunteers (3 weeks to 6 months) and long-term staff (1 year commitment). The majority of short-term volunteers are needed between April and October, when the Village swells to a size of around 500 people. Applications for the summer season are accepted after January 1st. Volunteers are also needed during winter, when the village population shrinks to around 100. Applications for long-term positions are accepted throughout the year. The minimum amount of time from receipt of all your materials to the time when a decision will be made is about 3-4 weeks, but the process sometimes takes a few months.

Website

www.holdenvillage.org

Luther Connections

Luther has often offered J-term courses at Holden on Environmental Ethics with professors Jim Martin-Schramm and Jon Jensen. Many Luther students have come to know and love Holden through these trips and through other summer visits and volunteering.

Summary

Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) is a one-year volunteer service program working for peace with justice in inner-city areas throughout the United States. Volunteers explore their spirituality while working for social justice, living in intentional community, and practicing simplicity and sustainability in all aspects of their lives. While working, volunteers live with four to seven other LVCers in intentional household communities, a group that becomes the volunteer’s support group and works together to foster sustainable living in their inner-city home.

Application Info

There are two due dates—one in mid-January and one in mid-to-late-March. It is beneficial to apply as soon as possible. Once the application is received, an LVC staff person will contact you for an interview. LVC works with each applicant to find the right volunteer placement organization within the fields of education, public safety, human needs, and the environment. To finalize a placement, the volunteer must choose the organization and the organization must choose the volunteer. National training and volunteer work begins in August, so all house members start together. You need not be Lutheran to apply.

Luther Connections

Emily Odland (’10) worked as an online communications and fundraising assistant for the East Bay Alliance for Sustainable Economy (EBASE) in Oakland, CA during the year following her graduation from Luther. In this position she engaged a dynamic network of supporters in campaigns for worker justice by managing an on-line database, updating the EBASE website, sending email blasts, blogging, and updating a Facebook page with hundreds of fans.

Summary

Volunteers serve in 77 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Peace Corps volunteers live, learn, and work with a community overseas for 27 months, providing technical assistance in six program areas: education, youth and community development, health, business and information communications technology, agriculture, and environment.

Application Info

Applications are accepted year-round. The process is lengthy and thorough—you can expect it to take between six months and a year from initial application to invitation. The invitation to a specific host country and placement will then be followed by a six week to three month preparation period before departure to the host country and training.

Luther Connections

Dan Bellrichard, a 2001 graduate of Luther currently serving as Sustainability Coordinator, was a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali, West Africa, from 2001-2003.  He served in a small rural village of about 4,000 people working on small business development. As the initial Peace Corps volunteer in the village he focused on building relationships with the community. He also started a mobile savings bank for the village and a community radio program.

There are many other Peace Corps alumni currently working as Professors at Luther such as Becky Bowman (Political Science) and Jon Wolseth (Anthropology). There is also a broad network of Peace Corps alumni in Decorah.

• Student Conservation Association
• Urban Servant Corps
• World Hunger Relief, Inc.
• World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms

Summary

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) offers recent college graduates and current college students two distinct and exciting opportunities to work for the conservation of natural resources. The first is an expense-paid internship with one of the state and federal agencies or private organizations that partners with SCA to conserve natural resources. These internships range widely from resource interpretation with the National Park Service to vegetation management with a local conservation district, and include everything in between. The second opportunity is to become an SCA Corps member. Corps members live and work for 3-10 months with other individuals who share a passion for the land and the people who live there. SCA Corps members work on wildfire management and education, trail restoration and maintenance, environmental education, and invasive species eradication. The main difference between the two is that Corps members are usually in teams and are directly supervised by SCA Staff while interns are supervised by partner organization staff.

Application Info

Both internship and Corps positions exist throughout the year, but the majority of them take place during the summer. Applications for both are accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis. The application processes for the two are similar. Both require you to fill out an SCA application first. For those looking for an internship, the SCA applications are screened by SCA staff and then forwarded to hiring officials at the partner agencies who then make a final decision. SCA Corps applications are handled entirely by SCA staff. Internship positions are posted up to six months before they begin, but many are posted much less in advance, so the process is dynamic. Corps positions are posted around three months in advance.

Summary

Urban Servant Corps (USC) is a one-year Lutheran volunteer program located in Denver, Colorado’s inner-city. While working for social justice at various local nonprofit organizations addressing the basic human concerns of low-income and at-risk populations, volunteers commit to living in intentional community with eight to ten other volunteers in a home located near their placement agencies. This household becomes the volunteer’s support system—a group that does life, explores their spirituality, and lives simply together.

Application Info

Applications are accepted until all the positions are filled. USC typically begins receiving applications in January and February. Once the application is received, USC staff will contact you for an interview. If you are accepted, you will be put in touch with a particular placement agency to discuss the volunteer job to see if it is a good fit. A placement is not final until both parties agree. The volunteer year lasts from the last Sunday in August until the first Friday in the following August. You do not need to be Lutheran to apply.

Summary

World Hunger Relief, Inc. (WHRI) interns develop and acquire skills in sustainable farming and community development as part of a holistic approach to Christian missions in developing countries. Interns work and study for one year on a 40-acre farm in Waco, Texas. While working on the farm, interns utilize production techniques appropriate to developing-world settings, which include composting, cover cropping, biointensive integrated pest management, drip irrigation, multi-species rotational grazing, and pastured poultry, among others. To supplement this practical learning, interns also attend classroom lessons where they learn about the socio-political contexts of world hunger, contemplate Christian responses to hunger, and become familiar with food technology, nutrition, and health issues. As part of WHRI’s commitment to sustainability, interns are provided with simple but adequate housing.

Application Info

Applications are fairly straightforward and are accepted throughout the year on a rolling acceptance basis. Internships last one year and are followed by an optional three month experience in a developing country.

Summary

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a network of organic and sustainable farms that provides volunteers the opportunity to learn about organic farming and sustainable lifestyles while living and working on farms in over 100 countries. In exchange for the volunteer labor, WWOOF hosts provide food and accommodation to WWOOFers staying on their farm. Volunteers usually live as part of the family. WWOOFers choose the host or hosts that most interest them from a list of WWOOF farms and make direct contact to arrange a stay.

Application Info

Volunteers are responsible for selecting and contacting their host. In order to get in contact with these hosts, it is necessary to sign up for a particular country’s national WWOOF organization, which usually requires a small fee. As a member of a national WWOOF organization, you will receive a list of all hosts receiving volunteers in that country. You can arrange the time and duration of your stay with the individual host.