Issue 1: Reasons (Not) to Join Teach for America

Most Teach for America corps members come into the program straight from college. As anyone who is or has been a senior in college knows, the move from college to the world of work is often confusing and stressful. Many, if not most, college seniors aren’t sure what sort of career path they want to follow once they graduate; they haven’t had enough experience with different types of jobs and with working life to know what various careers require, what they themselves are most capable of doing, and what will make them happy. Lacking that kind of knowledge, some college seniors apply to Teach for America for questionable reasons. Over the next several posts, I’ll describe the reasons that many people join TFA and explain why these reasons may not in fact be good justifications for joining. If you’re thinking of applying to/joining TFA, and your reasons for doing so are included in the following list, I’d strongly advise you to find out all you can about the program and re-evaluate your interest before you decide to become a corps member.