When your nine months conclude, your journey with The Difference Engine doesn't have to end. Join our network of Difference Engineers to stay connected with fellow change-makers who've shared your experience. Many Corps members continue their projects independently, building on the foundation established during the program. 

Your insights and experiences become part of our collective knowledge, informing how we approach future work. You'll retain access to select events and networking opportunities that keep you connected to our community. The strongest projects earn special recognition - featured in our annual impact report, connected to potential community partners, or showcased in our case studies. 

Beyond your specific project, you'll carry forward valuable skills in project implementation, community engagement, impact measurement, collaborative leadership, and systems thinking that will serve you in any sector committed to meaningful change.

Let's be honest: making a difference should be your primary motivator here. But we're not naive. You might be between jobs. You might be pivoting careers. You might need something concrete to show for your time.

Good news: DifferenceCorps gives you real work to talk about.

On your resume This isn't some volunteer gig you list at the bottom. You're a DifferenceCorps Member who designed and implemented a solution to a wicked problem. You managed a project from concept to completion. You secured funding. You measured impact. You presented results to stakeholders. That's executive-level experience, whether you're 25 or 65.

In interviews "Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge." You'll have nine months of them. Real challenges with real communities and real outcomes. Not hypothetical case studies - actual problems you solved with limited resources and high stakes.

For references Your fellow Corps members, TDE staff, and community partners can speak to your work. But more importantly, you'll have documented evidence of what you built. Numbers. Stories. Tangible results. That beats a generic "Sam was punctual" letter any day.

Skills that translate You're not just "volunteering." You're practicing lean startup methodology, community-centered design, impact measurement, stakeholder management, and resource optimization. These aren't buzzwords - they're exactly what employers, boards, and colleges need.

The title matters "DifferenceCorps Fellow at Arizona State University" carries weight. It signals you were selected for a competitive program, worked with a major research university, and completed something meaningful. It's a conversation starter that leads somewhere interesting.

No gaps, just growth Instead of explaining why you weren't working, you'll explain what you were building. Instead of apologizing for time off, you'll showcase initiative. Nine months building something that matters while searching for that job, funding or admission is impressive. 

Bottom line: Come for the impact, leave with the experience. Both matter. Both last.