Article in the Chicago Tribune discusses how young people are building skills and networks by volunteering after college and during their job search. An excerpt:

For some college grads in a tough job market, one way to segue into a career is through volunteer work — both in the U.S. and overseas.

Many organizations offer generous stipends, so the lines blur financially between "work" and "volunteer" posts.

Will Morris, of Richmond, Va., is in Chicago this school year as a volunteer at a Chicago public school.

"I'm like a big brother," said the 2011 College of William & Mary graduate. "The students have tough lives. Their house was robbed last night or they don't have a stable home. They're behind in school. I build relationships, I tutor, I listen."

After writing a college paper about "how the quality of education differs according to your ZIP code," Morris wanted hands-on experience before getting his master's in education policy at University of Pennsylvania, which he will attend in June.

Morris' sponsor, Urban Prep Academies' fellows program, pays for his housing and CTA pass and gives him a stipend that covers food and medical insurance.

"I'm not making much, but my needs are covered," he said. "Some of the people I graduated with still don't have jobs. I'm on my way, learning and getting pragmatic experience."

Read the full article.