Service Year Alliance: Service Year

A service year is a paid opportunity to develop real-world skills through hands-on service. Think of it as a paid gap year with a purpose. You can spend a year serving in your hometown or anywhere across the country, focusing on issues you are passionate about — like education, the environment, poverty, disaster response, public health, and more. Visit ServiceYear.org to get started.

Whether you’re figuring out what’s next after high school or college, searching for an opportunity to find a new path, looking to gain skills and experience for a job, or wanting a career change — a service year may be just what you’re looking for. There are over 65,000 opportunities in America, that offer varying lengths of commitment, issue areas and geographic locations. All service years share one thing in common: they provide a paid, life-changing experience. Most service years are full-time 10-12 month commitments, but some may be shorter or longer. A service year allows you to see other parts of the US, or serve in your own community, and you can serve alongside others as part of a team, or find a more individualized opportunity. Along with making an impact in the community, your service year will help you grow personally and professionally. Service years provide an opportunity to develop new skills, receive training and professional development, and provide financial support both during the year and to help you pay for future education. You can register, search for hundreds of opportunities that fit your interests and experience, and apply at ServiceYear.org.