Rewarding Experience in Civic Engagement, building Skills in the Field
Pros
Joining ToT was a fresh experience having previously worked in remote campaigning during the pandemic. ToT was a welcoming community for a variety of skill levels, with canvassers fresh out of high school and with decades of experience collaborating to advocate and achieve changes. I was able to choose my own hours largely, but committed more and more as I found a deeper connection to the work itself. Pay was fair, as was the way hard work with integrity was rewarded and utilized by leadership for both potential leadership roles and sharing wisdom. Canvassing and speaking to community members about issues that matter most to them has built skills that I think will benefit me for the rest of my career, as well as know that I have made tangible differences on issues and within elections that I deeply care about.
Cons
Programs are not always indefinite, and positions are not guaranteed past contracted end dates. Some programs may go longer than expected, and some may end early. Standards are high for the work itself, and canvassing can be a challenging job with unexpected and rude behaviors from some people who do not appreciate the work/align with the views of the program.