Program built off the backs of corps members! - Anonymous employee City Year Employee Review

1.0
25 May 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Relationships you build with students and other corps members

Cons

Treated as less than volunteers although technically you work as employees. If there's a death in your family or an illness you are expected to either use your "12" days to leave or take a 5 day minimum leave with NO pay. Forced to work 11 sometimes 12 hour days and teach an after-school program that is inefficient and on a steady decline in terms of attendance. You are forced to be puppets for donors and potential sponsors, collect data, act as guinea pigs for several new things they want to implement on the students. They also value data and donations over the students and corps members. You're responsible for your own housing in a city with the most expensive housing yet only paid $5 an hour! Staff is incompetent and horrible at communication! The higher ups are oblivious to what the students of East San Jose need along with what generates an effective corps. They burn you out and cause mental breakdowns. STAY AWAY IF YOU ARE NOT GOOD AT HIGH STRESS OR PEOPLE WHO CARE NOTHING ABOUT YOU.

Explore other reviews about City Year

5.0
13 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Well-organized/structured Transportation, healthcare, and AmeriCorps benefits Lots of teambuilding

Cons

Long days Uniforms A lot of professional development

4.0
22 Jun 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

You do very meaningful work and the staff truly care about you and what you are doing.

Cons

School placements can be quite far from where you live, and the days are long (7:30 am - 5 pm). Often is exhausting, but you stay for the kids.

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