Ohio University students looking to make a difference in the lives of people have an opportunity to do so on a global scale.
Katie Sylvester, a regional recruiter for the Peace Corps, will visit OU on Tuesday to recruit new members. Sylvester said she makes two trips to Athens each year.
Sylvester will hold office hours from 1–3 p.m. in the Career Services Center, 533 Baker University Center. She will also hold an information session at 5 p.m. Tuesday in 231 Baker Center.
Almost anyone can join the Peace Corps, Sylvester said; however, the application process is very competitive and takes about a year.
Applicants must be 18 years old and a United States citizen, Sylvester said.
“The Peace Corps take into account community service background as well as education and professional experience,” she said.
Currently, there are almost 8,600 Peace Corps volunteers serving in 73 countries, Sylvester said.
Jeffery Rhodes, who also serves as a regional Peace Corps recruiter, studied political science and journalism at OU and graduated in 2004. Rhodes said he chose to apply to the Peace Corps after recruiters and volunteers came to OU.
“The folks I spoke to who had returned from trips peaked my interest in the Peace Corps,” Rhodes said. “I worked with a recruiter to fill out my application and my essay to get a good, nice-looking application together.”
Rhodes described his overall Peace Corps experience as incredible.
“I served as a health volunteer in Zambia, and I worked on various projects and helped people learn about malaria and HIV prevention,” Rhodes said. “Basically, my job was to educate people and use my skills to teach and work with other people to spread information and services so that once I left, other people can share the knowledge that I taught them.”
Josef Donnelly, who studied history and philosophy at OU and graduated in 2006, served as a Peace Corps volunteer for three years in the Federated States of Micronesia. He taught English and encouraged youth and community development.
Sylvester said she encourages students to look into the opportunities that the Peace Corps can provide that will allow them to others.
“The goal of the Peace Corps is to provide technical support and assistance for countries to promote a better understanding of America to those we serve,” Sylvester said. “The Peace Corps work in education, health, business, agriculture and community development.”
bc822010@ohiou.edu
