President John F. Kennedy first inspired the Peace Corps in 1960, when as a Senator, he suggested to University of Michigan students that they serve the United States by going to developing countries around the world to live and work with those less fortunate. Now, approximately 200,000 volunteers provide assistance to various countries, where they work on issues like education and environmental preservation. Peace Corps volunteers reap many benefits, from learning a new language to receiving a student loan deferment while working abroad.
Instructions
1. Finish college. Ninety percent of Peace Corps volunteer positions require bachelor's degrees. If you do not have a college degree, you must have three to five years of relevant working experience to qualify. Different volunteer positions have various additional requirements. For education-based positions, like language, youth development or health information, you need three to six months of hands-on volunteer or work experience to qualify. For sanitation and agriculture-based positions, the Peace Corps requires at least three months of hands-on experience in a related field.
2. Fill out the preliminary application. The first application is a basic online inquiry. It asks about contact information, educational background, and work experience. This preliminary application will determine if you are eligible for volunteer work. Once you submit it, wait for a confirmation page to be emailed to you. Then, continue on to the more in-depth application.
3. Complete the full application. This will include personal information, educational background, employment history and resume, volunteer or community activities, three references and two essays. You must provide a copy of your college transcripts, unless you have 10 years of professional experience. Any financial obligations--including student loans or a mortgage--will also need to be included in the application, as well as a health status.
4. Prepare for an interview. Within two weeks of the submitted application, the Peace Corps will contact you. Once all of your materials and references have been received, schedule an interview to talk about the possible available volunteer opportunities, your interests and skills and your desire to join the Peace Corps.
5. Wait for a nomination. After the interview and application review, a Peace Corps recruiter will evaluate whether you are a good match for the program. If you are, he will nominate you to volunteer in a general work position at a Peace Corps location somewhere around the world. The nomination is a further recommendation for you to continue in the process, which includes medical, legal and suitability reviews.
6. Undergo a medical and legal review. Once you earn a nomination, a Peace Corps medical evaluation team will look over your health review provided in the application. The Peace Corps requires you to submit a medical history and undergo a physical (including lab work), a dental exam (including x-rays) and an eye examination. You will also be subjected to a legal review for proof of marital status, arrests, dependents, financial obligations and any convictions.
7. Wait for an invitation. If you successfully complete the entire application process, a placement officer will give you a written invitation. The letter will offer you a detailed job description and idea of where you will volunteer for the Peace Corps. You will also receive a welcome packet, including information about orientation, training, the country you will live in and your departure.
8. Prepare for your destination. The Peace Corps will issue you an electronic airline ticket. Before you leave, attend a meeting with other Peace Corps trainees to prepare for your service. Then, fly to your designated location to begin in-country training for your volunteer position.
Tags: Peace Corps, Corps will, Peace Corps will, application Peace, application Peace Corps, around world, Corps requires