| Author |
Message |
Anonymous (0-1pool32-155.nas108.washington1.dc.us.da.qwest.net - 65.139.32.155)
| | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 11:33 pm: | |
I am 46 and have over 20 yrs professional work experience and I want to become a Peace Corps volunteer. So, with those facts in mind, I'm looking for insight from anyone on what to expect, what my "chances" are of getting selected to be a volunteer, and what might be some of the medical challenges and challenges once I am serving as a volunteer, IF I am selected... I've heard it is very competitive and some do not get selected....Help! Thanks in advance! |
RPCV-Mid_Career (adsl-70-135-91-181.dsl.austtx.sbcglobal.net - 70.135.91.181)
| | Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 1:38 pm: | |
Your chances would be excellent, depending on the type of experience you have and how flexibile you are concerning the country/region and job area of assignment. Experience plus flexibility = excellent chance of being assigned.
Mid-career PCVs are indeed wanted in the PC. As for medical issues, being 46 in and of itself would have very little impact on receiving medical clearance or on the area of assignment. PC has volunteers in the 70s and 80s, although at these ages assignments are usually made to areas with quickest access to medical facilities. That said, if you have any particular medical issues, you need to disclose them in the medical clearance survey (received after initial application submitted). You will receive a physical for clearance anyway, and if there are issues, they'll let you know. Medical issues don't necessarily preempt service, rather they might narrow the field of possible assignments.
I would suggest filing the application and discussing service with your local recruiter office. You can aske them about any concerns you may have, inccluding medical, safety, etc.
You can find vignettes of mid-career and retired PCVs on Peace Corp's official web site, as well as on-line application access, location of recruiters, assignment descriptions, country profiles, etc. Once you apply, you can obtain a list of RPCVs with whom to talk in person.
Just go to www.peacecorps.gov ... You can always decide not to accept an invitation, although doing so may make it more difficult to land one in the near term ... |
Anonymous (199.128.222.2)
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 4:22 pm: | |
Thanks! I will not be able to report until December of 2007 - I talked with a recruiter and they told me I could not apply until 1 year from my targeted reporting date...so, Im guessing I have to wait. I am trying to do as much "homework" now as I can.
I am very flexible with where I can be assigned, though, as most people I have my preferences. And flexible with when I can start my assignement, as long as it is after December 2007 (not before then).
Follow up question - regarding mid to last quarter career and leaving Federal service to go into the Peace corps for 2 years, then wanting to come back into the Federal service... is this a career suicide move from that standpoint? (that will not keep me from going - just trying to get an idea of what to expect career wise in my return) How easy will it be to get back into Federal service, and will more doors be open or less doors?
I've spent a lot of time on the PC website looking and reading - but I'm looking for more info from the "non party line" sources.... I value the PC website info, but, they certainly wouldn't put any negative there, since they are trying to "sell" the organization and their work. Again, I respect the PC and the people and the work they do...but in addition to the info on their site, I'm looking for info from others like me (middle aged, mid career, etc)who have had the experience of volunteering, but aren't officially on PC staff now.
THANKS again! |
RPCV-Mid Career and former staff (adsl-70-135-91-181.dsl.austtx.sbcglobal.net - 70.135.91.181)
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 1:39 pm: | |
I'd recommend getting in touch with RPCV groups in your area, and then finding RPCVs with whom to talk ... These groups also have events, where you could meet RPCVs. Talk to the officers to find those who've served mid-career ... You can find links to RPCV groups at the PC site or at www.rpcv.org. These groups are non-profit, and I've never known an RPCV to be less than candid about his or her experience (pros and cons). You can always "filter" out any RPCVs who have also served on staff (the vast majority have not). |
RPCV-MC (adsl-70-135-91-181.dsl.austtx.sbcglobal.net - 70.135.91.181)
| | Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 10:01 am: | |
Oh, as for the "career suicide" aspect. No, it shouldn't be as long as you're leaving on good terms, with ample notice, etc. RPCVs completing service receive a two-year non-compete status for government employment after service (although agency policy and demand for the job at hand determines whether this would actually be used and provide a benefit). Your status and number of years in federal service upon leaving service - temporarily - would have the most impact upon re-entry.
While PCV service itself won't count toward your years of federal service, you can pick it back up afterwards ... It all really depends on what you want to do ... You may have to start at the same level where you left ... or you could apply for the next grade in the same or a completely different position/agency if you have sufficient time in you're current grade ... PCV service in combination with your federal experience could be an advantage for landing jobs with certain federal government agencies and federal contractors (NGOs and for-profit) in the international development assistance arena. |
Scott (nat-ptouser.uspto.gov - 151.207.244.4)
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 1:55 pm: | |
Actually, your PCV service WILL count towards federal service once you return. You can "buy back" or pay into the OPM retirement system so the 2 years of PC service applies towards your annutiy. I am a RPCV and career fed who did exactly that.
Email me for more info about this, and all the benefits you are entitled to once you return to federal service.
Scott
slnier@aol.com |
MajorOz (66.112.14.60.dyn.centurytel.net - 66.112.14.60)
| | Posted on Monday, September 25, 2006 - 7:53 pm: | |
1. From the time I first contacted PC to the time I reported to the aircraft was a little over three months.
2. I celebrated my 50th birthday in on-site training.
3. I told them, up front, that I wanted to go to X region and would not consider going to Y or Z regions.
4. I went to X, had a great time, learned a lot, contributed heavily, and brought back a basket of information to share in the US.
If you want to do such-and-such in a particular place, be bold in asking for it -- somebody's got to be there.
cheers
oz |
MajorOz (ppp010.man.centurytel.net - 64.91.46.88)
| | Posted on Thursday, September 28, 2006 - 6:36 pm: | |
Addendum: ...it was my 55th b-day
oz |
Anonymous (199.128.222.2)
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 3:51 pm: | |
Thanks for the great info! And, Oz - I take it you had a great experience - did you feel your age (compared to many other PC volunteers) was a help or hindrance...or did it matter at all? What about your physical "durability", stamina, and endurance?
Thanks! |
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