Work hard for low pay, question all aspects of your work, then get a real job and realize the significance of City Year.
Pros
City Year is a great place for a recent college graduate to work. Though this nonprofit is nationwide and is entering it's 20th year, it is still very much a growing organization. Creativity, flexibility, ability to work with a team, and a strong work ethic are necessary attributes of a successful employee of City Year. Although some entry level staff positions start in the $20s, often the highest achieving employees earn significant promotions in their first years of employment. City Year offers a unique, passionate, challenging, and diverse work environment, where employees are mentored, and senior members of the organization regularly make themselves available to consult with younger or new employees.
Cons
The majority of City Year's entry level positions are actually AmeriCorps positions, meaning that many employees (Corps Members) are not paid a salary, but a minimal living stipend. Corps Members (17- 24 year olds) work in urban schools and communities full time for ten months and earn a $4,725 educational award at the end of their service. Most salaried employees of City Year have completed atleast one year as a Corps Member (the maximum is two); few "external" salaried employees are hired. City Year has a unique and strong organizational culture, highlighted by uniforms (bright red jackets, khaki pants, Timberland boots); PT "physical training", a daily set of calisthenics (think boot camp, but much less intense); and Spirit Breaks (like the break after a football team's huddle, except with phrases like "Positive Encouragement") following every meeting.
