How Peace Corps Thinking Can Boost Your Professional Life
You are definitely not the same person after serving in the Peace Corps. You had to develop adaptability, curiosity, and problem-solving skills in a very challenging environment. Often without much outside help. Just because you closed your service doesn't mean anything has changed. Use those hard-learned skills and apply them to your career. Here’s how to keep that “Peace Corps thinking” alive:
1. Stay Curious About Everything
As a volunteer, you asked a lot of questions and listened a lot to understand your community. Bring that same curiosity to your career. Be open to learning from others, take time to check out new ideas, and approach every situation with a little bit of humility. The world is still full of opportunities to grow - you just have to keep your eyes open like they were when you were a volunteer.
2. Set Goals That Challenge You
Peace Corps service isn’t easy, and you know how to stick with tough tasks. After service, set learning goals that push you, like earning certifications, reading about your new industry, or continuing to develop skills like public speaking. Treat your professional development as seriously as you did community projects.
3. Choose Workplaces Where You Can Grow
You served in a challenging, evolving environment—seek the same in your career. Look for organizations that value learning, innovation, and collaboration. The right workplace can help you keep growing while making meaningful contributions.
4. Evaluate New Ideas Critically
In service, you probably learned that not every solution fits every problem. In your career, always assess new technologies, trends, or methods to see if they really add value. Use your Peace Corps training to find what works best for your team or organization.
5. Solve Problems Like a Volunteer
You didn’t wait for perfect conditions in the Peace Corps—you worked with what you had. Bring that resourcefulness to your job. Tackle challenges head-on and find creative solutions. Employers value people who think outside the box, just like you did in service.
6. Find Work You Believe In
During your Peace Corps service, you were deeply connected to your mission. To keep that sense of purpose, look for work that matches your passions and values. When you care about what you do, learning and growing will feel natural.
Keep the spirit of your Peace Corps experience alive! Apply the same mindset of curiosity, adaptability, and purpose to your professional career. By continuing to think like a volunteer, you’ll not only succeed in your career but also make a lasting impact wherever you go.
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Reference: 6 ways continuous learning can advance your career