How to Join the Peace Corps
Written by:
Wilson College
• Jul 16, 2024
Millions of Americans donate their time to causes they believe in. In fact, on an average day in 2022, over 11 million people volunteered in various capacities, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. One rewarding way to volunteer is through the Peace Corps, a U.S. government program founded in 1961.
The Peace Corps aims to tackle global challenges in health, education, economic development, and environmental conservation. Volunteering with this organization fosters personal development and growth, allowing individuals to become part of a global community dedicated to creating a brighter future.
For those researching how to join the Peace Corps, understanding the eligibility requirements, benefits, and application process is crucial. With multiple paths to service, unforgettable experiences, and the chance to make a significant impact, the Peace Corps offers a meaningful way for individuals to play a small but essential part in addressing critical societal issues while gaining valuable career skills.
What Does the Peace Corps Do?
Any investigation into how to join the Peace Corps should begin with learning about what the organization does. The Peace Corps tackles critical issues across six key sectors:
- Healthcare: Improving access to medical services, and teaching communities about nutrition, hygiene, and disease prevention
- Education: Supporting local education and providing students with lifelong skills by teaching, developing materials, and training teachers
- Agriculture: Leading grassroots farming projects to combat hunger and promote food security
- Community development: Building sustainable communities through various development projects
- Environment: Working on environmental conservation, including tree planting, conservation education, and sustainable agriculture
- Youth development: Empowering the next generation by engaging in activities that support the growth and development of young people
The Peace Corps places volunteers in various countries worldwide. In each of these countries, volunteers help address the community’s need for trained individuals, fostering mutual understanding between Americans and locals. This cultural exchange plays an important role in maintaining positive international relations.
Why Join the Peace Corps?
Individuals join the Peace Corps for many reasons. First, it allows them to make a lasting difference in the world. Volunteers tackle pressing issues in education, health, economic development, and environmental conservation, creating meaningful connections and making sustainable impacts in the communities they serve. Volunteering with the Peace Corps also offers life-changing opportunities for personal growth and career development. Here’s how:
Gain a Global Perspective and Get Immersed in New Cultures
Living and working in diverse communities fosters empathy and global citizenship. Through homestays with local families, volunteers gain deep cultural experiences in their host countries, which help shape their perspectives and ability to navigate in a diverse world.
Boost Career Prospects
The Peace Corps provides continuous learning opportunities to help volunteers succeed in any field. Volunteers develop invaluable skills and build standout resumes with international experience and volunteerism, which can attract potential employers. According to a study published in the journal Economics Letters, people who do volunteer work receive 45% more callbacks for interviews than people who don’t volunteer.
Hone Skills
Peace Corps assignments often align with volunteers’ education and expertise, providing opportunities for them to hone their skills, increase their knowledge, and gain cross-cultural experience. Volunteers also improve their essential soft skills like communication, listening, and empathy. This experience can help clarify their future career goals and life direction.
Requirements for Joining the Peace Corps
Volunteer roles at the Peace Corps are not for everyone, and the application process is competitive. Motivated, caring people looking to build connections, foster cooperation, and address critical issues affecting communities could apply to specific roles or send their resumes for general consideration.
Once selected, Peace Corps volunteers serve for a total of 27 months, which consists of three months of training followed by 24 months of service. Each volunteer’s specific role depends on the host country’s needs and the individual’s skills and experience.
Here are the key requirements for joining the Peace Corps:
Age and Citizenship
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, either by birth or naturalization, and at least 18 years old. Dual citizens are welcome, but a U.S. passport is required.
Education and Experience
Most positions require a bachelor’s degree. Many, like those with Peace Corps Response, require advanced degrees or five years of professional experience, including experience serving in higher-level positions. Having an educational or work background in a relevant area can strengthen an individual’s application, and having volunteer experience in a related field can provide an additional boost.
Health and Background Checks
Applicants undergo thorough medical and dental assessments to ensure their health needs can be supported during their service. A background check is also conducted, so applicants need to be honest about any legal issues in their past, even if they are sealed or expunged.
Benefits of Earning an Advanced Degree in Education
The demand for English language educators is increasing. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage of public school students who were English learners (ELs) rose from 9.4% in 2011 to 10.6% in 2021. This data points to a growing need for educators in the U.S. with advanced training to teach and lead effectively in diverse language and cultural settings.
Earning an advanced degree in education, especially a master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) , offers numerous benefits to educators. English has become the global language of communication in the world (when counting native and non-native speakers), making proficiency in English crucial in education, business, trade, and social interactions.
Teaching English to non-native speakers requires creative and effective methods to ensure lasting learning. Coursework in an advanced degree program equips educators with the skills to design engaging and dynamic learning environments.
Gain Key Skills to Uplift All Students in Classroom Settings
Educators play a vital role in shaping well-rounded individuals. The Master in TESOL program at Wilson College Online is designed for bachelor’s degree-holders who are interested in helping students whose first language isn’t English. Without skilled, caring teachers, these students risk falling behind. Wilson College Online prepares you to be an inclusive educator, creating welcoming classroom environments for all students.
In the program, you’ll learn to connect with students through a hands-on approach and teach English through speaking, listening, reading, writing, and examining culture. You’ll also explore teaching frameworks and language acquisition tools to address the needs of non-native English speakers.
Discover how earning a Master in TESOL can advance your career, help you qualify for opportunities to teach abroad, and teach you how to promote inclusivity in your classroom.
Recommended Readings
ESL Teaching Requirements: Do You Have to Be Bilingual?
How ESL Technology Can Benefit Students and Teachers
Sources:
Chron, “Peace Corps Requirements”
Economics Letters, “Does Volunteering Increase Employment Opportunities? An Experimental Approach”
Ethnologue, What Is the Most Spoken Language?
National Center for Education Statistics, “English Learners in Public Schools”
Peace Corps, Eligibility and Core Expectations
Peace Corps, Peace Corps Response
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “More Than 11 Million People Volunteered on an Average Day in 2022”
Volunteer Forever, “A Guide to Peace Corps Volunteer Opportunities”
