🏀 From Coaching Basketball to Building Careers — One Service Year at a Time

Tavon Johnson didn't just do one AmeriCorps term. He did three — and each one built directly on the last. 🌟
Starting as a tutor and basketball coach with Great Oaks Charter School, moving into workforce development with the Choice Program at UMBC in his hometown of Baltimore, and then leading fellow VISTA members through the chaos of COVID with Transform Mid-Atlantic — Tavon's path shows exactly what it looks like when a service year becomes a career blueprint.

Now a career counselor with Milwaukee Job Corps (and running a youth resource hub on the side 👏), Tavon opens up about the moment that changed how he saw systemic barriers up close, why "identity capital" might be the most underrated benefit of national service, and why he thinks we should stop calling it a "gap year" for good.

About AmeriCorps Connections
AmeriCorps Connections lifts up stories of AmeriCorps alums — 100+ featured! Honest, unfiltered truth about national service. These alums aren't just reflecting — they're still getting things done! We believe these voices deserve to be heard, and we're just getting started.
If this episode moves you — don't let that feeling sit there! 💛

Check out our featured partner Idealist for social-impact jobs, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give back right where you are.
Link 👉 IDEALIST Social Impact Jobs

Check out our first AC Connections Podcast guest blogger for the Idealist Career Advice blog Sarah Vagley Middleton 👩‍💻

🍿 Snack smart while you listen — PopzUp Popcorn is a clean, chemical-free microwave popcorn from Somersworth, NH. Use code NICKI10 for 10%

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