The Peace Corps listed the University as one of the highest producers of volunteers in the nation and ranked the state of Oregon third for the highest number of volunteers per capita.
Peace Corps volunteering at the University
? On the 2009 list of top volunteer-producing colleges, the University was ranked ninth, with 65 volunteers. ? The state of Oregon placed third in per capita volunteer numbers, with six volunteers per 100,000 residents. ? 237 Oregonians are currently serving in the Peace Corps. ? 5,399 volunteers have represented Oregon since the Peace Corps was established in 1961. ? 7,876 Peace Corps volunteers are currently serving in 76 countries. |
In ninth place, up one place from the 2008 ranking, 65 volunteers represented the University on the Peace Corps’ 2009 list of top volunteer-producing colleges.
Deb Chereck, director of the University Career Center, said international opportunities tend to attract students to the University because “our students are so intrigued by the world around us.”
Typically beat out only by larger schools like University of Washington, the University often ranks within the top 10 colleges for volunteer numbers.
“It’s something to be very proud of,” Chereck said. “We’re doing amazingly well.”
With a recent rise in national unemployment to 7.6 percent and Oregon’s unemployment leap from 5.4 to 9 percent between December 2007 and December 2008, Peace Corps has experienced an overall increase in volunteer numbers.
Volunteer numbers typically increase during economic recessions, Chereck said, and University Peace Corps representative Justin Overdevest said President Barack Obama’s encouragement of service might also be influencing students.
“Community engagement is a big part of Oregonians’ lives,” Overdevest said. “I’ve only been in Oregon for a few years, but there seems to be a higher level of interest in community here.”
Chereck said alternative work and life experience can enrich resumes, help develop career goals and lead to rewarding jobs for students facing a bleak job market.
“Many students come back completely directed with a clear sense of who they are and what they want to do,” she said.
Work experience the Peace Corps is looking for
? For an English teaching assignment: three to six months of English or foreign language tutoring in a structured program that provides training ? For an assignment in healthcare: three to six months volunteer or work experience in health care, such as EMT, CPR, or First Aid certification, hospital or clinic work, family planning education or counseling or lab tech experience ? For an assignment in hygiene education or sanitation: at least three months of experience in hands-on skilled work, such as mechanical repair, construction, carpentry or set design ? For an assignment in agriculture and forestry: at least three to six months of experience in vegetable gardening, farming, nursery work, tree planting, tree care or urban forestry. ? For an assignment in youth development: six months of full-time work experience with at-risk youth ages 10 to 25 in a youth-oriented organization |
University senior Patrick Haines said without an abundance of desirable job opportunities for students facing graduation, a chance to serve globally has greater appeal and might help students discover new direction for their lives.
“I do feel that if I was not going to be employed (right away), I might as well do something to help our situation, not just the U.S. situation but also the world,” he said. “I want to look back and say that I did something to help people, at least once in my life.”
Because financial pressure sometimes obligates students to take jobs that are incompatible with their career goals, Chereck said volunteering on the side can help students stay connected to their interests and create relationships that may lead to jobs.
Overdevest, who took on two assignments with the Peace Corps and served for four years, said students at the University are often selected for assignments at a higher rate because of their backgrounds in service.
The Peace Corps assists volunteers with living expenses during their service and offers student loan deferment and, in some cases, loan cancellation.
Although economic reasons may motivate some students to pursue a Peace Corps assignment, Chereck and Overdevest said volunteers will likely have opportunities to interact with people and act in ways that are more significant than waiting out the recession.
“You will be forever changed,” Chereck said.
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