AmeriCorps Featured Members - Courtney Way

We are pleased to feature Courtney Way, who joined us this summer for an impactful AmeriCorps term with the Shirley Heinze Land Trust. Here is what Courtney had to say about her service:

“This summer, my AmeriCorps experience gave me the opportunity to contribute both behind the scenes and out in the field. A large part of my work involved organizing and improving the database, which showed me how important accurate and accessible information is to supporting an organization’s day-to-day operations and long-term goals. I also really enjoyed the time I spent on the field experience days because it allowed me to see firsthand the work being done in the community and gave me a better understanding of how the administrative work I was doing connects to the organization’s overall mission. Overall, I’m grateful for the experience and for the opportunity to contribute in several different ways throughout the summer.”

Why did you join AmeriCorps?/How did you hear about the AmeriCorps opportunity?

I joined AmeriCorps because I was excited to be able to put my academic skills to use for an organization like Shirley Heinze that does such great work for the community. I heard about the opportunity through an email from my school Valparaiso University.

What was one impactful project, memory, or experience from your term of service?

My favorite part of the summer was the field experience days when we got to go visit the different nature preserves and see first hand the restoration and protection that was happening in these areas. As an accounting student, I doubt anyone other internship would have been able to involve nature and developing operations skills quite like the opportunity and experience I got to enjoy this summer!

What is next for you professionally?

Next, I will be entering my senior year and preparing to take my CPA exam. I hope to be able to gather more experience and find a job that I enjoy. 

Thank you, Courtney, for your service!