Most students aren’t exactly sure what they want to do after they graduate. There are some options other than jumping straight into grad school or trying to find your dream job. The Peace Corps is an opportunity extended to anyone over the age of 18 that is interested in service and professional development on an international level.

Serving for over five decades, the Peace Corps is a government partnership extending to 140 different countries. They focus their efforts on education, fighting HIV/AIDS, fighting hunger, protecting the environment, and improving access to technology.

A volunteer would serve two years working in a grassroots service level in a different country in one of the following categories: Agriculture, Community Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health, and Youth in Development.

Jamie Mesler serves as Drury’s Peace Corps Campus Ambassador and plans to apply for service after she graduates. Mesler believes that this is an excellent opportunity for both personal and professional development, preparing people for both graduate school and careers.

“It is two years of paid travel and paid experience. You are not an entry level anymore. It shows a lot of initiative because a lot of what you’re doing is individual work, and a lot of that is adjusting and accumulating to a different lifestyle, so it shows your adaptability skills,” said Mesler.

In fact, many graduate programs look for people who have served in the Peace Corps.

“Many schools get applicants of college graduates who don’t have any real experience. Peace Corps volunteers often have more to contribute to a discussion because they’ve had work experience,” said Mesler.

The two years that you spend in service will not be without challenge, however. Volunteers will be asked to live in conditions that they may not be used to, often asked to learn and speak a foreign language, and face cultural challenges that people who stay in the United States will not have to face.

But according to Mesler, that challenge makes you a better candidate for different future opportunities and also can make you a better person.

“I’m excited for it to push me to the limits. You’ll learn about new cultures and so when you go to grad school you can say for sure that you’re passionate about doing those things,” said Mesler.

The Peace Corps application is very competitive and involves several interviews. Mesler believes recommends that you emphasize adaptability and a commitment to service in your application to help you stand out.

“They look for people who are adaptable and are service oriented. They want people who can adapt to a different lifestyle but also people who are willing to serve others and work hard,” said Mesler.

Mesler encourages Drury students to not underestimate the skills that they’ve gained while in undergrad. Many skills are transferrable, and can even fill some more competitive application requirements.

“Two semesters of language can meet your Peace Corps language requirement, meaning the required language courses you’ve already had to take at Drury.”

You also don’t need to feel limited to apply in an area that you’ve studied.

“You don’t necessarily have to have a degree in what you want to do in the Peace Corps. You’re able to explore different options for your career while you travel,” said Mesler.

If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to contact Mesler or Missouri Peace Corps recruiter Joseph Zucchini at jzucchini@peacecorps.gov.

Article written by Mady McColm