F. Kennedy. Since then, over 200,000 volunteers have served in more than 139 countries around the world. Volunteers and employees who work as a part of the Peace Corps hold down jobs both in the United States and in countries around the world, and they take on careers as varied as medical workers and administrative assistants. This article looks at the ways you can help the world by working with the Peace Corps.In recent years, there has been a greater interest in the Peace Corps, thanks to the option of earning graduate school credit while volunteering abroad with the organization. Many people are interested in helping the world with the Peace Corps, but not everyone has an accurate representation of what it is like to work for the volunteer organization. If you might be interested in a Peace Corps career, then read through to learn more about six different areas of the agency that provide employment to those who want to help others around the world.
1. Education
This is one of the most exciting and popular fields for potential volunteers in the Peace Corps, and many of the people who decide to work in this area of the agency are younger adults without significant professional experience. Volunteers might work in a local school for girls in Africa, teach Asian professionals how to speak English in order to improve their odds of finding a job; or even teaching seminars that teach South Americans about how to earn grants and scholarships for college education. Although degrees in education are helpful, they are not necessary. This field is where Aaron S. Williams, the current director of the Peace Corps, worked during his time in the Dominican Republic. He claims that this period was among the best in his life.
2. Youth and Community Development
These areas of work are a large part of the Peace Corps, and they require dedicated and interested volunteers to help with tasks like helping orphaned children find families, increasing HIV/AIDS awareness in remote areas, and developing libraries in the local language so that local citizens can have reading material. If you are interesting in hands-on volunteering, then this is a top choice.
3. Health
The volunteers within the Peace Corps who find careers in the area of health typically have some medical experience. They may give physicals to young children, administer medications, give vaccinations, or help teach citizens about the importance of finding clean drinking water.
4. Business and Communications
This area of the Peace Corps typically involves helping citizens around the world advance their technological knowledge in order to better run their businesses. It might also include improving the local area networks to bring telecommunication access to a greater number of areas.
5. Agriculture
Those working in the agricultural sector of the Peace Corps might work in the area of food production, preservation of natural resources, or improved farming technologies. Agriculturists, farmers, and environmental scientists will all be incredibly useful in this section of the volunteer agency.
6. Environment
This part of the Peace Corps helps average citizens learn more about preserving the environment. It might teach recycling, set up large recycling centers in urban areas, or even plant trees in small communities.
Each of these areas of the Peace Corps is unique ways to help the world. If you are interested in working with this incredible volunteer agency, you can find satisfaction and fulfilment around the world.
About the Author
Ben Duke writes for several higher ed blogs.
