From spending two years in a country overseas to helping educate students in Chicago, the openings for students interested in a unique experience after college graduation are numerous.

And whether through programs like the Peace Corps or Teach for America, students are taking advantage of fellowships to boost their resumes, pay for college or increase their cultural awareness.

The Peace Corps is a chance for graduates with skills in six main categories — business, health, environment, education, agriculture and community development. The 27 months of service to the Peace Corps involve an initial three-month training period before being sent to one of the 77 participating countries.

According to campus recruiter and former Peace Corps volunteer Evan Baker, students leave the Peace Corps with newly acquired skills — like critical analysis, creativity and adaptability — that can be applied to their everyday life and career.

“That’s the kind of experience that makes people more effective and highly-valued in the professional world,” Baker said. “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

After completing the two years of service, volunteers are given a bonus of $6,000, usually spent to pay back student loans or to begin graduate school.

However, programs such as the Master’s International Program, through the Department of Forestry, offers a chance for students to begin course work for a graduate degree.

About halfway through their coursework, students can complete a Peace Corps tour and use the experience as a basis for their master’s project, a paper and seminar, before completing their last semesters.

Baker’s advice to the campus community about the Peace Corps is simple.

“You should do it,” Baker said. “There is a profound sense of impact on the community. The Peace Corps is a chance to explore a different culture.”

A similar prospect to the Peace Corps is AmeriCorps.

“AmeriCorps is the domestic version of Peace Corps,” said William Lindsay, executive director of the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.

After a maximum of two years of part-time or full-time service, students are given the opportunity to take part in one of the 15 programs throughout the state, which range from tutoring elementary students to working with Habitat for Humanity.

Students are required to apply directly to a program of interest after each year. Also, after a year of service, AmeriCorps grants an Educational Award of $4,725 to a university as a trust to pay off student loans for full-time service members.

Lindsay suggests that AmeriCorps is more than just a way to pay for extended education.

“AmeriCorps is a time in a person’s life where they can donate a year to help the community,” Lindsay said.

The transition from college to the real world can be daunting, but AmeriCorps is a way to help with career decisions, Lindsay said.

Lindsay also said the biggest feedback he receives from students after their completion of service is the positive attitude towards making a difference in the lives of others and “to make their state and community a better place.”

At N.C. State, the Office of Fellowship is open to every student for advice on possible fellowships. Two information sessions are scheduled for Feb. 6 and 7 at noon in the Talley Board Room for students interested in initiating a fellowship.

Jennie LaMonte, campus fellowship advisor, helps students find research funding for possible fellowships. She works with all undergraduates regarding project funding from foundations, trusts and corporations.

LaMonte said there are “thousands” of ways to receive funding.

“I can teach [the students] to find funding,” LaMonte said. “I work from the beginning, from the big idea to the project phase, letters of recommendations, writing applications and practicing interviews.”

A list of the 15 most prestigious fellowships is available on the Web site at http://www.ncsu.edu/fao/ for potential applicants.

Students in the Peace Corps can apply online at http://www7.acs.ncsu.edu/peace_corps/. An information session about the Peace Corps will take place in Cameron Village library on Feb. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m