Professional and leadership development
Competency #4
Resume and interview support + leadership experience
The Peace Corps is a highly selective and professional process. In order to enhance your chances of being selected and going to your prospective 鈥渇irst choice鈥 options, students need to focus on developing their professional and leadership skills. The Peace Corps Prep Program required three (3) specific activities that will strengthen your candidacy for the Peace Corps.
1. EIU Career Services will work with students who are in the Peace Corps Prep Program throughout their time in the program. Students will build up their resume and interview skills over the course of several semesters.
a. Students are required at the start of their program to create a resume and have it scrutinized by the Career services department
b. After completing the 50 hours of required experience, you will revisit this resume and updated it along with your academic advisor.
c. During the final semester, you will write a cover letter for a specific opportunity, and you will complete a mock interview with the EIU Career Services using an online platform like Zoom where you can record yourself and re-watch your answers
2. Attend AT MINIMUM one (1) interview skills workshop held by the EIU Career Services a. Peace Corps Prep Program Students will have to attend at minimum one interview workshop and obtain evidence of attendance. The EIU Career Services frequently hold seminars on interviewing skills. While your advisor or the PC Prep Coordinator can assist in finding a workshop that works well for any prospective student, it is up to the student to complete this requirement.
3. Get involved with a one (1) student organization or community organization a. Being involved in an on-campus or off-campus organization can help develop your leadership skills and ability to work with groups of people.
b. It is recommended that you focus your organization membership on organizations that are connected in some way to community outreach. While any organization can develop these skills, the Peace Corps will prize those that demonstrate experience in working with others when it comes time for applications.