For new grads: Peace Corps?

[Anonymous]

No way. A college friend of mine died in the Peace Corps. He was in an African country, got very sick, was eventually air lifted out, but was too far gone to stop the trajectory of the illness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't recommend for any girl - the stories of rape and other similar tragedies are all to real

Oh c'mon. The majority of Peace Corps volunteers are women. They're not getting raped and there are few "tragedies." Get a grip.

You are wrong. Sure, they have changed and improved some policies, but as a former PC member, you are naive to think otherwise

I'm not "naive" for thinking the majority of women PC volunteers are not getting raped--because they're not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does the Peace Corps actually help people get jobs afterwards? Is it a viable option to try to wait out a bad economy, at least a little?

Sure. If That Goldman Sachs finance job doesn’t work out just join Peace Corps. A couple of years living in a hut in Guinea could be fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't recommend for any girl - the stories of rape and other similar tragedies are all to real

A girlfriend of my friend's came back early from her Peace Corp assignment in the 90s. It was apparently due to a sexual assault she suffered. That made an enormous negative impression on me on Peace Corp seeing the pain and trauma she and her family had to endure.

Do you have any grasp of how high the percent of American girls and women who are sexually assaulted in their own neighborhoods, in their own homes???

SA happens to women EVERYWHERE. It’s no reason to refrain from travel/live abroad because the USA is very rapey too.

But surely you understand the great disadvantage of something like this happening to a woman in a third world country, especially when you may not be familiar with the culture, the laws process (or lack thereof), or have ability to get away from. It’s not like you can press charges, get a restraining order, and move in with your parents/friend, leave state, etc. when you are a young American woman working in Ghana

None of that means it's happening to any greater extent. That's like saying don't go to, say, Honduras because their health care system sucks. Just because their health care system sucks doesn't mean you have a greater risk of getting cancer there.

Logic, people. Logic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No way. A college friend of mine died in the Peace Corps. He was in an African country, got very sick, was eventually air lifted out, but was too far gone to stop the trajectory of the illness.

Clutch those pearls.

[Anonymous]

OP: My Class of 2025 DC is now in the PC. While still new, they have had a positive experience so far.

A few, hopefully helpful, comments:
1. As the PP said, the application and clearance process is unlike a typical job application. My DC had few medical issues in their past yet still it was time-consuming and complicated. It took more than 11 months from start to finish. My DC attended a highly selective college and they are impressed with the other volunteers in their cohort. This isn't a program you choose to do just to avoid working here during the administration and economy. 2. The pay is very, very, very low. Please don't assume you will have any money saved when you are finished with your service and, as mentioned earlier, whether the current non-competitive eligibility for federal jobs benefit will still exist. There are obviously many other personal and professional benefits, including the PC network, though. 3. My DC had positive study abroad experiences during college and I think this background is helping them with their transition. With that said, the program is rigorous and demanding and with few conveniences students typically experience in study abroad programs. Also, keep in mind they are not allowed to travel and also are not allowed to have any visitors for the first six months.

OP: The PC network is strong and I know my DC is already talking with Class of 2026 students they know who are interested in applying so find a current PC volunteer and I am sure they will help you out. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't recommend for any girl - the stories of rape and other similar tragedies are all to real

A girlfriend of my friend's came back early from her Peace Corp assignment in the 90s. It was apparently due to a sexual assault she suffered. That made an enormous negative impression on me on Peace Corp seeing the pain and trauma she and her family had to endure.

Do you have any grasp of how high the percent of American girls and women who are sexually assaulted in their own neighborhoods, in their own homes???

SA happens to women EVERYWHERE. It’s no reason to refrain from travel/live abroad because the USA is very rapey too.

But surely you understand the great disadvantage of something like this happening to a woman in a third world country, especially when you may not be familiar with the culture, the laws process (or lack thereof), or have ability to get away from. It’s not like you can press charges, get a restraining order, and move in with your parents/friend, leave state, etc. when you are a young American woman working in Ghana

But you CAN contact your PC Security Officer and have them move you to a new site. You can Early Terminate and be whisked out within like a day. Or your village elder can give a stern talking to to the family of the guy who is harassing you and bring social pressure on them to leave you alone. Etc. Harassment of women in PC is not NOT as problem, but certainly one that has been much discussed and addressed in recent years by the PC.

[Anonymous]

Yeah well, I'm sorry for her and them but that doesn't mean you can generalize the way you did. I had a daughter in the Peace Corps and it was a wonderful and life enhancing experience not only for her but virtually every one else in the Corps she knew.

There's sexual assault everywhere, sadly.

PP here. I'm glad your daughter had a rewarding experience. I'm providing an anecdotal data point. So did you. You may recommend Peace Corp based on your daughter's experience. I won't, based on what I've seen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here-- I realize I posted right before an early morning exam so let me add some much-needed context. Yes, the economy is a huge concern for me (it is for all grads...) but I was considering this anyways. It's just a bigger consideration now in light of what's going on. I have done cultural exchange in the past, and want to do more. It will be hard, but I am (relatively) comfortable being dropped with little language proficiency. I am also comfortable with roughing it out-- squatting over toilets is not too "ewwww," as one poster questioned. I'm particularly interested in the climate adaptation projects, but I need to do more research for that. Thank you everyone for your advice so far! Definitely interested in hearing more about the alumni networks, and trying to avoid stalling my career after graduation/PCorps if I do it.

Sounds like you'll be fine. The biggest thing is to have a flexible attitude, who knows what you'll be doing or where you'll go. Some PC countries can be fairly developed. It will help you with grad school for sure, especially if you want to go to grad school for PC type things like development, public health, education, etc. As far as a job goes, it depends on the job I suppose. My feeling is that it probably won't help a lot per se, but wouldn't be a strike against you either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“The toughest job you’ll ever love” - it is very true. It is HARD. Not the work itself, but the cultural, language, and homesickness parts. It is an incredible experience and serving was a keystone experience in my life. It did help me get a job, but in a field that no longer exists - USAID funded public health. If my kid wants to go into the Peace Corps I will cheer them on. Not for the job prospects but for the way it shapes you into a more informed and curious and flexible person.

And I mean flexible in multiple ways! 30 years later I still value the ability to comfortably squat for as long as needed. You never know when the only toilet availability will be a hole. And if that makes you go “ewwww!” rather than laugh…you are not Peace Corps material.

+100. This is said just perfectly. Three siblings, all went Peace Corps. Two continued working overseas. And yes, you either have the Peace Corps mentality or you don’t. It’s not a judgmental thing, but if you are frustrated by bus schedules changing, or canceled, don’t like crowded public transportation, might be bothered by regular power outages, etc., it won’t be for you. If you want to see the world, culturally immerse yourself and can handle such inconveniences, it is an amazing, life-changing experience.

I would be thrilled if my kids said they were interested, and I also worry this administration will kill it.

Top positions at multiple companies and organizations around the world are filled by Peace Corps alums.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody joins the Peace Corps to ride out the economy and the Peace Corps is likely to weed out anyone seeking to join for that reason in the selection process. You obviously don't know a thing about the Peace Corps.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wouldn't recommend for any girl - the stories of rape and other similar tragedies are all to real

A girlfriend of my friend's came back early from her Peace Corp assignment in the 90s. It was apparently due to a sexual assault she suffered. That made a enormous negative impression on me on Peace Corp seeing the pain and trauma she and her family had to endure.

Yeah well, I'm sorry for her and them but that doesn't mean you can generalize the way you did. I had a daughter in the Peace Corps and it was a wonderful and life enhancing experience not only for her but virtually every one else in the Corps she knew.

There's sexual assault everywhere, sadly.

I agree with this. The same could be said on virtually every college campus in America, and we send our daughters there. If my daughter came to me and said she was interested in the Peace Corps I would wholeheartedly encourage it