r/ConservationCorps • u/Feisty_Visual_8193 • 23d ago

Discussion How does the process work?

Corps name: N/A

I’m on a gap year and living on the east coast. My intended major for next year is engineering but I want to spend my time doing something that feels meaningful.

I want to work during the spring season and be somewhere farther than where I live right now. I have family in Arizona and I would love to work on the west coast. Is that achievable?

If so, where would be the best place to apply/work?

Also will they even accept my application when all of my work experience is tech related?

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u/previousinnovation 23d ago

You can start searching here: https://corpsnetwork.org/

There are many corps on the west coast. If you want to work outside most corps run their seasons from spring to late fall, except in the southwest where they run year round. Almost all corps offer summer-only seasons for students.

There are several types of jobs you can get with a corps, such as building/maintaining trails, combating invasive species, community development, or even wildland firefighting.

They do not expect any prior experience. Don't even worry about fitness too much. Your life will be easier if you are fit at the start, but I've seen people lose a lot of weight on trail jobs. Not recommended, but very possible.

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u/KingOfTheNorth91 23d ago

The Utah Conservation Corps has two offices near the Arizona border (one in Moab and one in Cedar City). Not sure if Arizona itself has its own corp program but it likely has something you can join.

The main thing they are looking for is a passion for environmental stewardship and someone who is willing to work hard. Your actual specific past work experience doesn’t matter a ton

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u/Littleprisonprism 23d ago

Arizona conservation corps - AZCC

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u/previousinnovation 23d ago

And an American Conservation Experience (ACE) corps in Flagstaff

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u/Powerful_Complex_461 23d ago

Google corps and find out what eligibility looks like. Then you can call the corps to see what the timeline looks like. For the one I work for we have a rather long wait list as far as I know (I don’t work in recruitment so not 109% sure).

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u/pins-chick 23d ago

The conservation corps takes anybody. The most important thing is that you can work well with people that you may/may not like, you can stay positive during long and physically challenging days, and you're passionate about conservation. It is an amazing experience. You will be challenged but see things you'll never forget. My corps experience changed me so, so much and changed what I wanted from my life.

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u/rozkolorarevado 18d ago

Look into California local corps, and the Student Conservation Association. Since you’re in college you probably have access to Handshake as well. I’ve found that there’s a lot of variety on there in regard to conservation jobs, and sometimes recruiters will reach out to you first!