Peace Corps Reviews

Pros

A worthwhile experience in a community overseas with specific focus on community development and capacity building. Volunteers work in Education, economic development, community health, water and sanitation.

Cons

As with all government organizations and agencies there are many "red-tape" hoops to jump through. Too many employees and not enough staff to meet all the needs.

Pros

Impact, Adventure, International Development Field Experience, Great Friendships, Travel, Fun, Language Fluency, Challenge Yourself, Fulfilling Experience, Great Learning, Strong Alumni connections

Cons

Little to no accountability, technical training is inadequate, lots of workplace gossip, feelings of isolation and depression for some, 5 year rule limits your career with Peace Corps

Advice to Senior Management

Eliminate the 5 year Rule, Improve Technical Training by hiring specialist for each sector and allowing them to make technical training a long-term career, Consider placing multiple Volunteers in sites to work as teams on projects, Improve world-wide knowledge sharing--SharePoint is inadequate, Create more partnerships with other NGO/Non-profit organizations to leverage both organizations' advantages (their technical skill our community presence)

Pros

An opportunity to work independently, make your own schedule, learn a language, work internationally, develop many skill sets, and there are great post-PC benefits.

Cons

There is little separation between work and personal life, you do not earn a salary, and you must follow strict PC rules

Pros

As a Peace Corps Volunteer you get real project management experience first hand.
You are put in the lead position and instigator of community projects of all sizes.

You develop skills with in yourself as a leader. Working as a Peace Corps Volunteer you will understand critical issues in development. As you work towards sustainable development you will gain an intuition necessary to be a leader in the nonprofit sector.

You won't have any regrets.

Cons

It can be difficult to be away from family and friends but think about it this way... Are you living your life for your friends and family or for yourself? If you grow as a person and increase your knowledge about something for the sake of your future, how can anyone hold that against you?

Advice to Senior Management

Keep up the good work.

Pros

You get International Experience.
The benefits as a volunteer is amazing!
You join a great network of great, socially minded people.
You get to experience working in a place where you get to use your initiative a lot.

Cons

You are away from your family for two years which can be quite difficult to adjust to.
You must be able to live and work in a developing country.

Pros

-Gives you unparalleled insights into another culture.
- I made a lot of friends (host country nationals and other volunteers).
- Allowed me to travel around Central America.

Cons

-I didn't feel like my site was adequately vetted before I got there.
-Lack of clear job or mission.
-Unsupported by PC staff when I had problems at my site.
-The blame the volunteer mentality demonstrated by most of the staff.
-Extremely rigid rules.

Advice to Senior Management

Do a better job of vetting sites and defining a volunteer's role before they get to their sites.
Create a more supportive atmosphere for solving volunteer problems.
Realize that most volunteer "bad behavior" is caused by the extreme stress we are confronted with.

Pros

Peace Corps is the ultimate work environment for a self-starter. After two months of training, you're on your own, living in a village or town. It is up to you to forge your own path and make your service what you want it to be. You could have some very rewarding experiences, being able to help host country nationals and make a real impact on their lives.

Cons

It is up to you to make your Peace Corps service rewarding. You could coast through and get nothing out of your service, at the detriment of yourself and the community you were assigned to work in. Peace Corps is not for the timid or faint of heart- it is a tough assignment, and not everyone makes it through two years.

Pros

Visible impact on peoples' lives
Great community of Volunteers
Valuable life and professional skills earned
Utterly different from day-to-day
Make your own projects and decide with whom in your community you will work

Cons

Challenging, and often frustrating to develop your projects with Host Country Nationals
Very independent. PC doesn't tell what to do. This is good and bad.
Language barriers and getting out of your comfort zone.

Advice to Senior Management

Be more candid with volunteers in the field.
Hold volunteers more accountable for work in the field.

Pros

Escape the terrible economy for two years.
Open your mind and broaden your horizon.
Learn about a new language and culture.
Gain experience in teaching, health, or whatever field you are working in.
Learn about yourself.
Meet amazing host country nationals and fellow volunteers.
Change your world and your perspective on life forever.

Cons

You will not save money.
You will fight Peace Corps tooth and nail sometimes to get what they promise you.
Bureaucracy.
Two years away from familiar culture and loved ones.
Stress, exhaustion, culture shock, etc.
Your dog might get eaten.

Advice to Senior Management

Get your stuff together. You've been around for 50 years. Things should flow smoothly. Staff should be easily accessible and respond quickly. Communication within countries and within the organization overall has great need for improvement.

Pros

Great mission, dedicated hard working people

Cons

Too many political appointees to be effective

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to your employees