My son just graduated from USC with a degree in business admin last year. He worked for a high profile consulting firm for almost a year and then joined an online education startup his friends from his fraternity started. The start up is still in its early stages and my son has been playing with the idea of joining the peace corps after the startup fails/succeeds.
Is this a good idea? I feel like he will come back and he’ll be behind his peers in terms of real-world business experience and skills. He has always wanted to work in startup-type jobs in Silicon Valley so I just don’t know how this radical journey will affect this. I know that he is really assertive and knows what he wants, but I just want to know what others’ thoughts are on the ma
My mom was in the Peace Corps long ago! She went to Botswana. She is still obsessed with Botswana to this day. From what I’ve heard, it is a great experience!
I think the bigger question is, why the Peace Corps? Does he understand everything it entails? (Not to mention, that it can take a year even to get “approved”?) Has he traveled in the underdeveloped parts of the world? Has he seen real poverty – and no, I don’t mean the “bad parts” of Silicon Valley? Is he independent? Can he deal well with constant setbacks and chaos? Does he know he might be sent to a part of the world where running water or reliable electricity, much less any kind of an internet structure, is a luxury you can’t depend on?
I wouldn’t worry too much about your son losing “real world” experience and/or skills. For one, returning Peace Corps members have access to all kinds of government positions and major NGOs, where your son could quickly get up to speed with the latest in technology/opportunities. I’ve known high-level executives whose background includes the PC: in other words, it’s no impediment to future success!
No one I’ve met has ever regretted their PC experience. Some did regret their youthful idealism and high hopes for “saving the world” during their PC stint. Realizing the limits of your impact is one of the biggest lessons one learns in the PC.
I don’t know about Peace Corp, but my daughter is doing Americorp, which is the stateside version. She just started her third year ( her second with Habitat for Humanity), it has been a great experience, and she has gained some great work, people, and corporate skills.
I think the Peace Corps is a fabulous experience for the kids who do it. Whether they actually do much good at their postings, is I think, much more debatable, though I think there is a more long term benefit in having Americans understand the needs of the developing world better. There is a long delay between beginning an application and actually getting to go anywhere.
Re reply#3 - international experience or exposure to developing world poverty are absolutely not requirements for Peace Corps service. I had never been out of the US before I served in Africa, and my husband’s first airplane flight was when he left for Asia. A desire to serve, a good attitude and a LOT of patience and flexibility are what matters. The Peace Corps has changed a lot since my service in the early 90s, but it is definitely worth considering. It is a life-changing experience.
I never claimed that they’re requirements; they’re helpful, however, in gauging whether or not one is suited to working and living in such an environment.
Are you really worried “he will come back and he’ll be behind his peers in terms of real-world business experience and skills?” Seems like that would depend on what he does. In any case it’s more important that he do what he wants without worrying about how he’s stacking up against some hypothetical “peer group”. That said, The PC application process is lengthy and the start up is still starting up. He may change his mind. No point in worrying about it now
Our daughter did a two year Peace Corps appointment in Rwanda. It was terrific. She is one of six members of our close family who are returned Peace Corps volunteers. All say it was a fabulous experience.
It’s about one year from the submission of the application to actually getting an appointment (if you make it that far…it’s pretty competitive).
Too late to edit…but you don’t just “join” the Peace Corps. There is a rather rigorous application and interview process…which can take about a year to complete. When my daughter applied, about 20% of applicants actually got appointments.
My daughter just completed her 27 month Peace Corps assignment last week. It was indeed a life-changing experience for her, but it is not for everyone. Approximately 20% of her original cohort early terminated-some as early as the first few weeks after arriving. It is very important that prospective PC volunteers have valid reasons for pursuing a PC assignment. Extensive discussions with returned PC volunteers to get a solid idea of their varied experiences is highly recommended. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.
@thumper1 Thank you thumper1-it’s hard to believe it’s been 3 years since D3 announced her plans to apply to PC and you provided me encouraging words of wisdom when I posted my worried concerns on CC !
It would seem to me that seeing “Peace Corps” on a CV would make a job/school candidate stand out. It says this person is resourceful & has grit and can problem-solve in the REAL “real-world”.
My niece did the Peace Corps…she finished up her two years of teaching English in the Ukraine about a year ago. It was an absolutely life-changing experience for her. It is very difficult, though, a lot of adjustment. There are going to be days that he’ll wish he had never done it and there are just going to be some really, really rough days. But the experiences make it so worth it.
Niece is an English teacher in a competitive and good school district. The Peace Corps on her application and the experience she had educating those children in the Ukraine pretty much landed her the job.
I would think that Peace Corps experience would be terrific for working in a start-up. You have to use your wits, solve problems, and confront new situations every day.