January 5, 2009
I was sent an automated e-mail from Peace Corps. My application status has gone back to "active". I will get in touch with Kevin and make an appointment to meet with him before it changes again.
January 13, 2009
I have an appointment set for January 20th at 2pm. Good news.
January 20, 2009
Of course this is the day they are expecting a HUGE rainstorm in southern california. I thought about trying to change the day but I remember that Kevin wouldn't be able to meet for another 3 weeks if we didn't do it today. I will brave the storm along with the Los Angeles traffic.
This is not to be an interview but an informal meeting. I set this up more so so Kevin will be able to put a face with the name. It is easier to work with people you know and have met than those that you haven't. I was there about an hour. It was a great meeting. Kevin is very nice and feel more confident now that we've spoken for a while. There were no interview questions, no formalities at all. We really just chatted. He told me a little bit more about the business assignments. Told me a little bit about his experience with living oversears (all recruiters are return volunteers). It was a good afternoon. Worth the trip in the rain. Hopefully I will hear soon about a nomination.
Monday, August 30, 2010
...more waiting...
“Waiting is a trap. There will always be reasons to wait. The truth is, there are only two things in life, reasons and results, and reasons simply don't count.” -Dr. Robert Anthony
Hurry and wait!!
“We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
December 17, 2009
Today is Shane's last day and I now have the name of my new recruiter. The recruiter that will be taking his place is Kevin. I can't wait to contact him and return to LA to meet him.
December 23, 2009
I contacted Kevin today by e-mail. I'm hoping I will hear from him just after the holidays so I can make plans to meet him.
December 23, 2009
I already heard back from Kevin. Unfortunately it's not great news. I'm kind of wishing I would have waited until after the holidays.
Yesterday all of the regional offices put in nomination requests for all of our prospective business Volunteers. The number of Volunteers far exceeded the number of available spots and many people (yourself included) had to be un-nominated as a result of this overfill. What this means for you is that I will bring your file back to a withdrawn status and wait for additional business programs to open that I can nominate you into. None of this will have an adverse impact on your candidacy. You are simply a victim of our antiquated computer systems!
I’m sorry to be the bearer of less than great news but I will do my best to re-nominate you as soon as I can in the New Year. If you have any questions, please let me know. I’ll be in the office all of next week.
Hurry up and wait. My new moto.
December 17, 2009
Today is Shane's last day and I now have the name of my new recruiter. The recruiter that will be taking his place is Kevin. I can't wait to contact him and return to LA to meet him.
December 23, 2009
I contacted Kevin today by e-mail. I'm hoping I will hear from him just after the holidays so I can make plans to meet him.
December 23, 2009
I already heard back from Kevin. Unfortunately it's not great news. I'm kind of wishing I would have waited until after the holidays.
Yesterday all of the regional offices put in nomination requests for all of our prospective business Volunteers. The number of Volunteers far exceeded the number of available spots and many people (yourself included) had to be un-nominated as a result of this overfill. What this means for you is that I will bring your file back to a withdrawn status and wait for additional business programs to open that I can nominate you into. None of this will have an adverse impact on your candidacy. You are simply a victim of our antiquated computer systems!
I’m sorry to be the bearer of less than great news but I will do my best to re-nominate you as soon as I can in the New Year. If you have any questions, please let me know. I’ll be in the office all of next week.
Hurry up and wait. My new moto.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
My interview
December 8, 2009
I gave myself 3 hours to get to Los Angeles...even though it's about a 1 1/2 hour trip. You never know what could happen and I definitely don't want to be late. Too much is riding on this interview.
After getting some breakfast and waiting for some time it was finally time for me to meet my recruiter. We started out with the formalities and then began the start of a 1 1/2 hour interview. He went over my application, over my job experiences (both paid and volunteer...I've been doing a lot of volunteer work over the past couple years in preparation for this time). He looked over my references as you can imagine were riddled with praise. ;-)) Then there were his questions to me, which for the first time had me thinking "what am I getting myself into". The questions that they ask made me think harder about this adventure than anything I could have read on the Peace Corps website. How do you feel about leaving your family and friends for the next 27 months? Your children? Are you willing to change the way you dress if necessary? Change the way you eat? How are you going to cope with possibly having to sleep without a bed? You could be in a village where you are the only person that is from outside their village, white, etc. You will be the center of their attention. How do you think you'll be able to handle that?
I was able to answer each question to complete satisfaction, but it sure does make you think...what do you mean change the way I dress?!?! I guess just short of wearing a burka... Change the way I eat?? Have you seen me...there isn't much I wouldn't eat. Leaving my family and friends. With technology being what it is are we really that far away from anyone anymore. Does it matter if I move back to New York or to Africa...there's Skype. I can talk to and see my friends and family. Magic Jack (which I'm already using) and I can call anywhere in the world. Better than the phone plan I have now. The center of attention...I live for it!! LOL! There was one crazy out of text question that I never did answer. If you can think of a good answer for it, even though it is irrelevant at this point, I would love to hear what it is. What law is there that you totally disagree with but follow because it's the law? WOW...where did that come from? I've thought of this question many times since then and still haven't come up with an answer. I don't this marijuana should be illegal, but I don't smoke it not because it's a law but because I don't want to. I think the speed limit law in some areas should be different than what it is, but I break this law...regularly...so that wouldn't work. Think about it and let me know.
Well then we moved on to my fingerprints, background check paperwork, etc. When all was said and done I was told that I am an excellent candidate, but because I don't have a degree (I knew that going to college would catch up to me some day) the only program that I would be eligible for would be their Business Advising program. And because I took French for 2 semesters (which I did to make me look like even a better candidate...and because I knew I was trying to get to Africa) they would put me down for a french speaking business advising assignment. I asked him if he was sure. He said you've taken 2 semesters of French, right? And you passed, right? So yes, french speaking business assignment. I told him, that was OK but my french really, really sucked. He said that was OK. OK...it was decided. French Speaking Business Advising.
The recruiter mentioned the Peace Corps Response program. This is where you could respond to disasters in other parts of the world and for shorter assignment periods. 3-6 months...a year. BUT, you have to do your 27 months volunteer assignment before you are eligible for this other program. I will think about this at a later date. I will think about it for sure.
After 1 1/2 hours my interview is over. One of the unfortunate things about this interview, today is Shane's last day as a recruiter with the Peace Corps. He is leaving to go to graduate school. Bummer....my file will be transferred over to my new recruiter and I will hear from him in the very near future. I will contact my new recruiter as soon as I know who that is...and I will come back to Los Angeles to meet with him in person. I think it makes a difference in how this new recruiter will interact with me on whether I meet him or not. But I am relieved. The interview went great! This is the first time I am feeling like dreams can come true. I am moving smoothly through the process so far!!
I gave myself 3 hours to get to Los Angeles...even though it's about a 1 1/2 hour trip. You never know what could happen and I definitely don't want to be late. Too much is riding on this interview.
After getting some breakfast and waiting for some time it was finally time for me to meet my recruiter. We started out with the formalities and then began the start of a 1 1/2 hour interview. He went over my application, over my job experiences (both paid and volunteer...I've been doing a lot of volunteer work over the past couple years in preparation for this time). He looked over my references as you can imagine were riddled with praise. ;-)) Then there were his questions to me, which for the first time had me thinking "what am I getting myself into". The questions that they ask made me think harder about this adventure than anything I could have read on the Peace Corps website. How do you feel about leaving your family and friends for the next 27 months? Your children? Are you willing to change the way you dress if necessary? Change the way you eat? How are you going to cope with possibly having to sleep without a bed? You could be in a village where you are the only person that is from outside their village, white, etc. You will be the center of their attention. How do you think you'll be able to handle that?
I was able to answer each question to complete satisfaction, but it sure does make you think...what do you mean change the way I dress?!?! I guess just short of wearing a burka... Change the way I eat?? Have you seen me...there isn't much I wouldn't eat. Leaving my family and friends. With technology being what it is are we really that far away from anyone anymore. Does it matter if I move back to New York or to Africa...there's Skype. I can talk to and see my friends and family. Magic Jack (which I'm already using) and I can call anywhere in the world. Better than the phone plan I have now. The center of attention...I live for it!! LOL! There was one crazy out of text question that I never did answer. If you can think of a good answer for it, even though it is irrelevant at this point, I would love to hear what it is. What law is there that you totally disagree with but follow because it's the law? WOW...where did that come from? I've thought of this question many times since then and still haven't come up with an answer. I don't this marijuana should be illegal, but I don't smoke it not because it's a law but because I don't want to. I think the speed limit law in some areas should be different than what it is, but I break this law...regularly...so that wouldn't work. Think about it and let me know.
Well then we moved on to my fingerprints, background check paperwork, etc. When all was said and done I was told that I am an excellent candidate, but because I don't have a degree (I knew that going to college would catch up to me some day) the only program that I would be eligible for would be their Business Advising program. And because I took French for 2 semesters (which I did to make me look like even a better candidate...and because I knew I was trying to get to Africa) they would put me down for a french speaking business advising assignment. I asked him if he was sure. He said you've taken 2 semesters of French, right? And you passed, right? So yes, french speaking business assignment. I told him, that was OK but my french really, really sucked. He said that was OK. OK...it was decided. French Speaking Business Advising.
The recruiter mentioned the Peace Corps Response program. This is where you could respond to disasters in other parts of the world and for shorter assignment periods. 3-6 months...a year. BUT, you have to do your 27 months volunteer assignment before you are eligible for this other program. I will think about this at a later date. I will think about it for sure.
After 1 1/2 hours my interview is over. One of the unfortunate things about this interview, today is Shane's last day as a recruiter with the Peace Corps. He is leaving to go to graduate school. Bummer....my file will be transferred over to my new recruiter and I will hear from him in the very near future. I will contact my new recruiter as soon as I know who that is...and I will come back to Los Angeles to meet with him in person. I think it makes a difference in how this new recruiter will interact with me on whether I meet him or not. But I am relieved. The interview went great! This is the first time I am feeling like dreams can come true. I am moving smoothly through the process so far!!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Congratulations on applying...
You have to know that when you start this process you will hear a little bit here and there about your progression. It's a slow process. Well worth waiting for I'm sure. But a lot of time goes by in between hearing from anyone. I'm told that no matter how quick you are to respond and how diligent you are about filling out the paperwork the process is a minimum of 1 year.
November 17, 2009
"Congratulations on applying to serve in the Peace Corps. As an applicant, you join a special group of people willing to volunteer their skills to help people of developing countries build a better life for themselves, their children, and their communities. More than 182,000 volunteers before you have found Peace Corps service to be a rewarding experience of a lifetime.
We have begun our review of the initial steps of your application and look forward to working with you during this stage of the application process. Though the application process may seem arduous, it is our way of ensuring the best fit between potential volunteers and the mission of the Peace Corps.
Please contact your recruiter immediately upon receipt of this email to discuss the next step in the application process.
Again, thank you for applying to the Peace Corps, and good luck in your pursuit of the toughest job you’ll ever love."
November 30, 2009
I have been assigned a recruiter and have already heard from him. I have an appointment for an interview in the Los Angeles Regional Office on December 8 at 11am. I can't wait. This will be a determining factor on whether I am candidate as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I will be prepared.
November 17, 2009
"Congratulations on applying to serve in the Peace Corps. As an applicant, you join a special group of people willing to volunteer their skills to help people of developing countries build a better life for themselves, their children, and their communities. More than 182,000 volunteers before you have found Peace Corps service to be a rewarding experience of a lifetime.
We have begun our review of the initial steps of your application and look forward to working with you during this stage of the application process. Though the application process may seem arduous, it is our way of ensuring the best fit between potential volunteers and the mission of the Peace Corps.
Please contact your recruiter immediately upon receipt of this email to discuss the next step in the application process.
Again, thank you for applying to the Peace Corps, and good luck in your pursuit of the toughest job you’ll ever love."
November 30, 2009
I have been assigned a recruiter and have already heard from him. I have an appointment for an interview in the Los Angeles Regional Office on December 8 at 11am. I can't wait. This will be a determining factor on whether I am candidate as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I will be prepared.
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