AmeriCorps Alumni Outcomes Survey
Thank you for your commitment to service. To support current and future members and improve AmeriCorps programming, we are asking you to answer some brief questions so that we can better understand your AmeriCorps service experience. This survey is entirely voluntary and your responses will remain private to the extent permitted by law, as is provided for in the Privacy Act of 1974. This survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
What is your date of birth?
Month [Drop down list of options]
Day [Drop down list of options]
Year [Drop down list of options]
What is your gender?
Female
Male
Other gender
Are you a parent/primary caregiver?
No
Yes, and all of my children currently live with me
Yes, and some of my children currently live with me
Yes, and none of my children currently live with me
Yes, I am a parent of adult children who no longer live with me
Have you served on active duty in the military?
No
Yes
Which of the following describes your race? Please select one or more.
Black or African American
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian
White
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Other
Which of the following describes your ethnicity? Please select only one.
Hispanic or Latina/o
Not Hispanic or Latina/o
Please select the highest level of education you have completed.
High school degree (HS Diploma or GED)
Some college
2-year college degree (AA)
Technical or vocational degree or certificate
4-year college degree (BA, BS)
Some graduate school
Graduate or professional degree (MA, MS, MD, JD, Ph.D., etc.)
Other (specify): [open-ended text box]
Prior to serving in AmeriCorps, did you or anyone in your immediate family ever receive welfare payments or public assistance benefits?
Yes
No
Not sure
What is your current marital status?
Married
Common law marriage or domestic partnership
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
Never Married
What U.S. state do you currently live in?
[Drop down list of options, include “I live outside the U.S.” with Please Specify text box]
What AmeriCorps program did you serve in?
First term:
VISTA
NCCC Traditional
NCCC FEMA Corps
State and National program
(If State and National, fill in the blank with program name: [open-ended text box])
What year did you begin serving in your First Term?
[Drop down list of options]
For your First Term, what was the duration of your term of service?
[Full time, part-time, quarter-time, minimum time, etc. – Please list the approximate number of hours you served during your First Term.]
Unnumbered: Did you serve a second term in any AmeriCorps program (State or National Program, NCCC, VISTA)?
Yes [Goes to 10b]
No [Goes to 13]
10b. What AmeriCorps program did you serve in during your Second Term?
VISTA
NCCC Traditional
NCCC FEMA Corps
State and National program
(If State and National, fill in the blank with program name: [open-ended text box])
11b. What year did you begin serving in your Second Term?
[Drop down list of options]
12b. For your Second Term, what was the duration of your term of service?
[Full time, part-time, quarter-time, minimum time, etc. – Please list the approximate number of hours you served during your Second Term.]
Unnumbered: Did you serve a third term in any AmeriCorps program (State or National Program, NCCC, VISTA)?
Yes [Goes to 10c]
No [Goes to 13]
10c. What AmeriCorps program did you serve in during your Third Term?
VISTA
NCCC Traditional
NCCC FEMA Corps
State and National program
(If State and National, fill in the blank with program name: [open-ended text box])
11c. What year did you begin serving in your Third Term?
[Drop down list of options]
12c. For your Third Term, what was the duration of your term of service?
[Full time, part-time, quarter-time, minimum time, etc. – Please list the approximate number of hours you served during your Third Term.]
Unnumbered: Did you serve a fourth term in any AmeriCorps program (State or National Program, NCCC, VISTA)?
Yes [Goes to 10d]
No [Goes to 13]
10d. What AmeriCorps program did you serve in during your Fourth Term?
VISTA
NCCC Traditional
NCCC FEMA Corps
State and National program
(If State and National, fill in the blank with program name: [open-ended text box])
11d. What year did you begin serving in your Fourth Term?
[Drop down list of options]
12d. For your Fourth Term, what was the duration of your term of service?
[Full time, part-time, quarter-time, minimum time, etc. – Please list the approximate number of hours you served during your Fourth Term.]
How old were you when you served in your first AmeriCorps program?
under 20
20 to 25
26 to 30
31 to 35
36 to 40
41 to 50
51 to 65
66 and over
Were you a parent/primary caregiver during your first term of service in AmeriCorps?
No
Yes, and all of my children lived with me
Yes, and some of my children lived with me.
Yes, and none of my children lived with me.
Yes, I was a parent of adult children who no longer lived with me.
What were you doing in the six months before you first entered AmeriCorps? Select all that apply.
Working in the private sector
Working in the nonprofit or social service sector
Working in the public/government sector
Attending high school
Attending a vocational/technical training program
Attending college
Attending graduate school
Engaged another service experience such as the Peace Corps
Working in my own small business
Working at a nonprofit or social entrepreneurship venture that I created
Serving in the military
Unemployed
Other (Please describe what you did immediately before entering AmeriCorps: [open-ended text box])
When answering the rest of the questions on this survey, if you served more than one term please consider your AmeriCorps experiences as a whole.
What were the main focus areas of your AmeriCorps service experience? Select all that apply.
Education
Healthy Futures
Disaster Services
Veterans and Military Families
Environmental Stewardship
Economic Opportunity
Capacity Building
Not Sure/Does Not Apply
For the statements below, please indicate how much you would have agreed or disagreed before your AmeriCorps service and how much you agree or disagree now. [Strongly Agree; Agree; Neither Agree nor Disagree; Disagree; Strongly Disagree]
|
Before AmeriCorps |
Now |
a. I enjoy exploring differences between co-workers and/or friends from different cultures or backgrounds and me. |
|
|
b. I enjoy interacting with people from different cultures and backgrounds. |
|
|
c. I respect the values of people from different cultures and backgrounds. |
|
|
d. I feel confident when interacting with people from different cultures and backgrounds. |
|
|
For the statements below, please indicate how much you would have agreed or disagreed before your AmeriCorps service and how much you agree or disagree now. [Strongly Agree; Agree; Neither Agree nor Disagree; Disagree; Strongly Disagree]
|
Before AmeriCorps |
Now |
a. I can always manage to solve difficult problems if I try hard enough. |
|
|
b. If someone opposes me, I can find the means and ways to get what I want. |
|
|
c. It is easy for me to stick to my aims and accomplish my goals. |
|
|
d. I am confident that I could deal efficiently with unexpected events. |
|
|
e. Thanks to my resourcefulness, I know how to handle unforeseen situations. |
|
|
f. I can solve most problems if I invest the necessary effort. |
|
|
g. I can remain calm when facing difficulties because I can rely on my coping abilities. |
|
|
h. When I am confronted with a problem, I can usually find several solutions. |
|
|
i. If I am in trouble, I can usually think of a solution. |
|
|
j. I can usually handle whatever comes my way. |
|
|
Thinking about your AmeriCorps experience, please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements as it relates to your own AmeriCorps experience: [Strongly Agree; Agree; Neither Agree nor Disagree; Disagree; Strongly Disagree]
I felt I made a contribution to the community.
I re-examined my beliefs and attitudes about myself.
I was exposed to new ideas and ways of seeing the world.
I felt part of a community.
I learned more about the "real" world or "the rest" of the world.
I gained an understanding of the community(s) where I served.
I gained an understanding of the solutions to the challenges faced by the community(s) where I served.
I spent a lot of time doing meaningless “make work” tasks
The majority of my work did not make a difference in the community.
I felt I made a difference in the life of at least one person.
I did things l never thought I could do.
I did not get along well with my supervisor and/or my teammates
I figured out what my next steps are in terms of educational goals.
I figured out what my next steps are in terms of career/professional goals.
I felt defeated by the scope of the problems I worked on.
I re-examined my beliefs and attitudes about other people.
All things considered, how do you feel about your overall AmeriCorps service experience? [Very Satisfied; Satisfied; Neither Satisfied Nor Dissatisfied; Dissatisfied; Very Dissatisfied]
Please explain: [open-ended text box]
In the last 12 months, how often did you participate in the following activities? [Basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, less than once a month, not at all]
Participate in community organizations (school, religious, issue-based, recreational)
Keep informed about news and public issues
Help to keep the community safe and clean
Volunteer for a cause or issue that I care about
Donate money or goods to a cause or issue that I care about
Think about how likely you were to participate in the following activities before you did AmeriCorps, and how likely you are now. Would you say that your AmeriCorps experience has made you more or less likely to: [Much more likely, Somewhat more likely, No effect, Somewhat less likely, Much less likely]
Participate in community organizations (school, religious, issue-based, recreational)
Vote in elections
Keep informed about news and public issues
Help to keep the community safe and clean
Volunteer for a cause or issue that I care about
Donate money or goods to a cause or issue that I care about
Think about your activities in the last 12 months when answering the following questions. [Basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, less than once a month, not at all]
In the last 12 months, how often did you discuss politics with friends or family?
In the last 12 months, how often, if at all, did you use the Internet to express your opinions about political or community issues?
In the last 12 months, how often did you discuss and think about how political, social, local, or national issues affect the community?
In the last 12 months, how often did you try to encourage others to participate in the community?
In the last 12 months, how often did you and your neighbors do favors for one another? By favors we mean such things as watching each others’ children, helping with shopping, house sitting, lending garden or house tools and other small things to help each other
In the last 12 months, have you boycotted a product or service because of the social or political values of the company that provides it?
Yes
No
Don’t Know
Generally speaking, would you say that you can trust all the people, most of the people, some of the people, or none of the people in your neighborhood?
All of the people
Most of the people
Some of the people
None of the people
For each of the following institutions, would you say you have a great deal of confidence, only some confidence, hardly any confidence, or no confidence at all in them to do what is right? [A great deal of confidence, some confidence, hardly any confidence, no confidence at all]
Corporations
The media
Public schools
Were you registered to vote in the last presidential election?
Yes
No
No, was not eligible to vote
Don’t Know]
Did you vote in the last presidential election?
Yes
No
Don’t Know
How often did you vote in the last 12 months?
I voted in all elections offered in my district.
I voted in some elections offered in my district.
I did not vote in any elections offered in my district.
No elections were offered in my district in the last 12 months.
If you found out about a problem in your community that you wanted to do something about, how well do you think you would be able to do each of the following: [I definitely could do this; I probably could do this; Not sure; I could not do this; I definitely could not do this]?
Create a plan to address the problem
Get other people to care about the problem
Organize and run a meeting
Express your views in front of a group of people
Identify individuals or groups who could help you with the problem
Express your views on the Internet or through social media
Call someone on the phone you had never met before to get their help with the problem
Contact an elected official about the problem
For the statements below, please indicate how much you would have agreed or disagreed before your AmeriCorps service and how much you agree or disagree now. [Strongly Agree; Agree; Neither Agree nor Disagree; Disagree; Strongly Disagree]
|
Before AmeriCorps |
Now |
a. I have a strong and personal attachment to a particular community. |
|
|
b. I am aware of the important needs in the community. |
|
|
c. I feel a personal obligation to contribute in some way to the community. |
|
|
d. I am or plan to become actively involved in issues that positively affect the community. |
|
|
e. I believe that voting in elections is a very important obligation that a citizen owes to the country. |
|
|
How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements: [Strongly Agree; Agree; Neither Agree nor Disagree; Disagree; Strongly Disagree]
Participating in AmeriCorps was a worthwhile experience in terms of furthering my educational goals and future educational endeavors.
Participating in AmeriCorps was a worthwhile experience in terms of furthering my professional goals and future professional endeavors.
Participating in AmeriCorps was a worthwhile experience in terms of furthering my personal goals and future personal endeavors.
How much do you agree or disagree that your AmeriCorps service was a defining personal experience? A defining experience is one that confirmed your beliefs and aspirations, or one that resulted in a change or shift in your beliefs and aspirations. [Strongly Agree; Agree; Neither Agree Nor Disagree; Disagree; Strongly Disagree]
Please explain how AmeriCorps was or was not a defining personal experience: [open-ended text box]
How much do you agree or disagree that your AmeriCorps service was a defining professional experience? A defining experience is one that confirmed your professional goals or one that resulted in a change or shift in your professional goals. [Strongly Agree; Agree; Neither Agree Nor Disagree; Disagree; Strongly Disagree]
Please explain how AmeriCorps was or was not a defining personal experience: [open-ended text box]
How did your AmeriCorps service fit into how your career path has unfolded? Select the option that most closely describes your career path.
It aligned with the career path I was already pursuing.
My career took a different path into work in a service-related field.
My career took a different path into non-service work after AmeriCorps.
My career took a different path into non-service work after AmeriCorps, but then I returned to service work.
Please explain how your AmeriCorps experience fit into how your career path unfolded: [open-ended text box]
After your AmeriCorps service, did you stay in the community in which you were serving?
Yes – I was not originally from that community but I stayed there after AmeriCorps.
Yes – I was originally from that community and I stayed there after AmeriCorps.
No – I moved back to where I was living before AmeriCorps.
No – I moved to a new community.
If a good friend or family member told you he or she was interested in joining AmeriCorps, would you:
Advise against it
Have second thoughts about recommending it
Recommend it
Strongly recommend it
How closely do you associate your AmeriCorps service with each of the following? [Very closely; Closely; Somewhat; Not much; Not at all; Not applicable]
AmeriCorps
NCCC, FEMA Corps, VISTA, or AmeriCorps State and National
The agency or nonprofit that operated your program
The specific organization or site where you served
Other (Please specify: [open-ended text box])
How did you use your AmeriCorps education award? Select all that apply.
To attend college
To repay student loans
To attend graduate school
To attend a technical or vocational training program
Transfer education award to a family member
I did not qualify to receive an education award
I chose to receive a stipend instead of an education award
I did not use my education award
I have not yet used my education award but I plan to use it
What did you do in the six months after your AmeriCorps service? Select all that apply.
Got a job in the private sector
Got a job in the nonprofit or social service sector
Got a job in the public/government sector
Enrolled in a vocational/technical training program
Went to college
Went to graduate school
Enrolled in the same AmeriCorps program
Enrolled in another AmeriCorps program
Pursued another service experience such as the Peace Corps
Started a small business
Started a nonprofit or social entrepreneurship venture
Served in the military
Unemployed
Other: Describe what you did immediately after your AmeriCorps service: [open-ended text box]
If you got a job in the six months after your AmeriCorps service, was it a position in, or directly connected to, the organization or agency in which you served?
No
Yes (Please explain: [open ended text box])
What are you doing now? Select all that apply.
Working in the non-profit sector
Working in the private sector
Working in government or in the public sector
Serving in the military
Self-employed
Looking for work
Staying at home to take care of a family or household member or for other reasons
Working as a supervisor or in a management capacity
Serving in another national service program (another AmeriCorps program, Senior Corps, NCCC, or VISTA project)
Serving with the Peace Corps
Engaging in other volunteer service
Making plans to attend school
Attending college or graduate school
Enrolled in a certificate, technical, or vocational program
Other (specify) : [open ended text box]
If you are working now, does your current job involve any of the organizations or AmeriCorps programs that you worked with during your AmeriCorps service?
No
Yes (Please explain: [open ended text box])
Do you include your AmeriCorps experience on your resume? [Always, usually, sometimes, rarely, never]
Please explain: [open ended text box]
If and when you do include AmeriCorps on your resume, do you include it in the “work experience” section or in the “volunteering or community service” section?
Work experience
Volunteer or community service
I have done both, depending on the particular use of the resume
Please rate yourself in each of the following skill areas. [Excellent, Good, Average, Poor]
Conducting yourself in a professional manner
Working independently
Meeting deadlines
Setting priorities for multiple tasks
Communicating verbally with others
Communicate in writing with others
Adapting to new situations
Responding to unexpected challenges
Working with people different from myself
Facilitating groups
Leading teams
Recruiting and/or managing community volunteers
Assessing problems and finding solutions
Planning, coordinating and managing events
To what extent did your AmeriCorps experience help you increase this skill? [A great deal, Somewhat, Very little, Not at all, Not sure]
Conducting yourself in a professional manner
Working independently
Meeting deadlines
Setting priorities for multiple tasks
Communicating verbally with others
Communicate in writing with others
Adapting to new situations
Responding to unexpected challenges
Working with people different from myself
Facilitating groups
Leading teams
Recruiting and/or managing community volunteers
Assessing problems and finding solutions
Planning, coordinating and managing events
Would you be willing to take a follow-up alumni survey in the future? If so, please give your name, an updated email address, mailing address, and phone number.
The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C § 552a) requires that the following notice be provided: The information requested in the Alumni Outcome Survey is collected pursuant to 42 U.S.C 12592 and 12615 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 as amended, and 42 U.S.C. 4953 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 as amended, and 42 U.S.C. 12639. Purposes and Uses - The information requested is collected for the purposes of assessing the impact of the AmeriCorps program. Routine Uses - Routine uses may include disclosure of the information to federal, state, or local agencies pursuant to lawfully authorized requests. In some programs, the information may also be provided to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to determine the existence of any prior criminal convictions. The information may also be provided to appropriate federal agencies and Department contractors that have a need to know the information for the purpose of assisting the Department’s efforts to respond to a suspected or confirmed breach of the security or confidentiality or information maintained in this system of records, and the information disclosed is relevant and unnecessary for the assistance. The information will not otherwise be disclosed to entities outside of the Corporation for National and Community Service without prior written permission. Effects of Nondisclosure - The information requested is not mandatory.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | Introduction: |
| Author | etait |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-24 |