The 'corps' and other service jobs

It's been called the "Obama Effect." Our service-promoting president and his wife may may be the cause behind the 234 percent jump in AmeriCorps applications in the past five months (compared to last year's same time frame), Jobs.Change.org says. Of course, it could also be the effect of a high unemployment rate and sense of fear in college graduates.

But if you're looking for a way to give back to your community while earning a living or seeing new places, here are a few opportunities:

Most everyone has heard of the AmeriCorps, one of the largest service organizations for college graduates in the United States. But did you know AmeriCorps has three different programs? Its largest, AmeriCorps State and National, meets "local needs in education, environment, public health and safety, disaster preparedness and response." AmeriCorps VISTA fights poverty across the U.S. And AmeriCrops NCCC draws from the models of the U.S. military and the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s to "strengthen communities and develop leaders."

As this story shows, Teach For America is another service program available to recent graduates. Teach for America places people in low-income school districts to teach for a two-year commitment after a rigorous five-week summer preparation program.

If you'd rather go overseas to explore the world, WorldTeach sends teachers abroad to teach English, math, computer science or HIV/AIDS education in varous countries. The voluntary (read: unpaid) positions are a year-long commitment.

Several religious service organizations exist as well. Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps is a year-long program that "combines Jewish learning with social activism and community building in low-income neighborhoods in New York City and Washington, DC.," according to Idealist.org. And the Amate House develops "men and women rooted in faith, dedicated to service, and committed to building a more just and loving society." Volunteers with Amate House are placed in schools, parishes and social service agenices.

If you're older, Senior Corps is a government program that matches people aged 55+ with volunteer opportunities in their communities. Small stipends for certain programs are available.

To see a longer list of service job opportunities visit Idealist.org.