job search

Three returned Peace Corps Volunteers talk about some of the tough aspects of readjusting to life after service — including being evacuated in 2020. And how the Global Reentry Program has made a difference.

By Dan Baker

It’s been just over a year since National Peace Corps Association launched the Global Reentry Program to support evacuated Volunteers in a time of crisis. “If you need help, reach out to an RPCV through the Global Reentry Program, and you will find it,” says Hugh McIvor, a Volunteer who was evacuated from Costa Rica. 

He and fellow returned Volunteers Mariana Cubillos (Panama 2018–20) and Jennifer Gonzales (Namibia 2015–18) talk about how the Global Reentry Program has made a tremendous difference for them. 
 

The program continues to grow and expand support for returned Volunteers with readjustment at home after service, providing resources to overcome challenges and take the next steps toward healthy lives and successful careers. 

The Global Reentry Program now encompasses programs such as Peer Support Circles, the ”Jobs with Jodi“ podcast, professional development webinars, intensive “boot camps” for job-seekers, programs geared specifically to mid-career professionals, and a virtual career fair. 

It’s the right thing to do for the Peace Corps community — and supporting returning Volunteers helps amplify the value of their service for years to come.

Follow Global Reentry events on the NPCA calendar and by signing up for the monthly newsletter for details on new programs and offerings.

Questions and ideas? Email us at reentry@peacecorpsconnect.org

Dan Baker is Director of the Global Reentry Program.

Global Reentry: A Bridge between Peace Corps Service and a Lifetime of Peace Corps Ideals

By Dan Baker

Just days after Peace Corps Volunteers began a global evacuation in March, National Peace Corps Association officially launched a program that had long been in the works — but was suddenly urgent: the Global Reentry Program to support the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer community, especially those evacuated this spring. 

Global Reentry aims to connect returned Volunteers with the resources they need for personal and professional success as we also further the ideals of the Peace Corps. It’s geared to help recently evacuated Volunteers and those who closed their service in the last few years — as well as those who finished service decades ago. The purpose is to welcome Volunteers home with this assurance: We’re here for you. 
 

This is part of our commitment to helping, individually and collectively, to translate the Peace Corps experience and ideals into successful careers, and to exponentially increase our social impact. 

We’ve long understood that too few RPCVs are aware of — or able to access — either our network or the benefits available after they return. The truth is, our community has long supported fellow returned Volunteers. In March, along with unprecedented need from evacuated Volunteers, we also witnessed the global network mobilize like never before in support of returning Volunteers. 
 

Illustration by Ken Orvidas

We have been flooded with offers of support from within our community: sharing advice through Facebook groups, signing up as career mentors, making donations, engaging in advocacy actions, and asking again and again, “How can I help?” This demonstration of solidarity is truly awe-inspiring.

Four Pillars

So what does Global Reentry do? Open doors to career counseling services, educational opportunities for degree seekers and lifelong learners, avenues for seeking and advocating for health services, and also opportunities for continued social impact. Read more about these below.

We’re all part of a community of many thousands who recognize the sacrifice and accomplishments of every Peace Corps Volunteer, and the strengths and assets that you offer well beyond your host country assignments. Take a moment to join the Global Reentry program on the NPCA website. Bookmark our events calendar to join upcoming discussions.

Global Reentry marks our commitment to helping, individually and collectively, to translate the Peace Corps experience and ideals into successful careers, and to exponentially increase our social impact. While this program has tremendous potential, we look forward to hearing from you about your hopes, needs, and suggestions as we continue to build and sustained this program for the benefit of all current and future returned Volunteers. 

We’re a community that knows how to act. And a community that listens.

Career Services

Links RPCV career seekers to resources for conducting an effective job search: a series of webinars facilitated by experienced career counselors, podcasts, access to career mentorship programs, and job postings targeting RPCV candidates. A founding partner of the Employers of National Service program, NPCA and Global Reentry will use this new platform to continue encouraging employers to give consideration to RPCV candidates. We’re fortunate to have on our team Jodi Hammer, with years of experience helping RPCVs with career transitions. Check out her Jobs with Jodi podcast for starters.

Educational and Learning 
Opportunities

A clearinghouse for opportunities promoted by our many partner universities throughout the United States and abroad. Many RPCVs are also interested in staying up to speed in on international development efforts — particularly in their countries of service — as well as learning new ways to further the Peace Corps mission, or simply staying abreast of new and noteworthy service-related professional topics. We plan to build out information on these and other learning opportunities. 

Well-Being

Transitioning from Peace Corps service is difficult, even in the best of times. It often takes years or even decades for RPCVs to rediscover the sense of community and belonging that they experienced as Volunteers. Many returning Volunteers have found great value in peer support from our community, and many have reached out with particular needs for support navigating or advocating for post-
service health benefits. NPCA has long supported and championed these needs and groups of RPCVs in their efforts to improve access to such benefits, which they can continue to do through Global Reentry. 

Continuation 
of Service

Our community is committed to furthering the ideals of the Peace Corps through promotion of the Third Goal — through continued service in our communities — and by helping Peace Corps be the best it can be. Global Reentry will help further individuals’ efforts by providing links to groups, organizations, and advocacy efforts that will increase our immediate social impact. That’s critical now, as we rally for causes that are of immediate concern to our community: as we stand up for racial justice for all, respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and combat climate change.

Dan Baker is Global Reentry Program Director at NPCA. He is an RPCV, Bolivia (1999-02) and East Timor (2002-03), has served on the board of directors of NPCA, and has held various Peace Corps staff positions between 2003 and 2016, including overseas program leadership positions in Costa Rica and Ethiopia.
 

This story was first published in WorldView magazine’s Summer 2020 issue. Read the entire magazine for free now in the WorldView app. Here’s how:

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Thanks for reading. And here’s how you can support the work we’re doing to help evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers.

Global Professional Search Inc. (GPS) and the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) have formally announced a partnership to connect Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) and former Peace Corps employees to careers that leverage the cultural and language proficiency fortified during their overseas experience.

GPS is the leading online marketplace focused on providing employers access to candidates with global competencies: foreign language, cultural competency, overseas experience, as well as industry expertise.

“Employers are struggling to identify more consistent channels to skilled, experienced, and global-ready talent. GPS is partnering with NPCA to match private industry, NGOs, and government employers with the talented pool of RPCVs that embody global competencies. GPS is proud to be a source of quality employment for RPCVs,” states Kirsten Brecht Baker, Co-Founder and CEO at GPS.

A valued national resource, RPCVs continue to evolve in accordance with current world challenges. Today, the organization attracts volunteers of all ages and professions. They are agronomists, accountants, teachers, and scientists, ranging in age from 20 to 70, with a developed perspective on how to assist communities in challenging conditions across the globe. They share the same idealism and commitment of their predecessors along with an advanced exposure to global issues and cultural differences.

RPCVs spend two years abroad developing global competencies and the “not-so-soft” skills that are cultivated during an overseas experience. On a daily basis, they navigate other cultures and problem solve within them, exercise resilience and adaptability, step outside of their comfort zone, work with teams or lead them – and often all in the local language. “These skills are in high demand by today’s hiring employers,” reiterates Baker.

NPCA champions lifelong commitment to Peace Corps ideals by connecting, engaging and promoting its members throughout and after service. “NPCA is committed to providing career opportunities for our Peace Corps community.  Our partnership with GPS gives NPCA members a platform on which they can create professional profiles that spotlight skills they acquired during their service and get connected to employers that value those skills,” comments Glenn Blumhorst, NPCA President.

Employers, visit GPS to hire a Peace Corps volunteer or former employee. Candidates, visit GPS to create your profile today.