It’s never too early to start thinking about what comes next. What’s your plan after the Peace Corps? Many volunteers feel like they might be behind their peers when it comes to “hard skills” like coding, accounting, or technical certifications. But here’s the truth—you’re light years ahead in “soft skills.”
Soft skills are what help you connect, lead, and solve problems. They’re things like empathy, emotional intelligence, communication, adaptability, and resilience. And as a Peace Corps Volunteer, you’re building them every single day. Your peers may be learning to manage projects from behind a desk. You’re learning to manage them in another language, in another culture, often with limited resources and shifting conditions. That is a skillset employers notice.
Why Soft Skills Matter
In today’s job market, knowing how to work with people is just as valuable as knowing how to use a software program. Employers want people who can listen, think on their feet, and build trust across differences. Your Peace Corps service gives you real-life proof you can do all of that—and more.
Turn Your Blog Posts Into LinkedIn Content
The challenge is making sure employers actually see those skills. If you blog about your Peace Corps experience, you already have a library of examples. Stories about building a project with local leaders, or adapting your plans when something unexpected happens all show soft skills in action.
Don’t let those posts live only on your blog. Repurpose them for LinkedIn. Adjust the wording so it speaks to a professional audience. Focus on what you learned, the steps you took, and the results you achieved. That way, you’re not just sharing a travel update—you’re showing future employers exactly how you operate in challenging situations.
Build a Career-Ready Portfolio While You Serve
Writing your stories sharpens skills like writing, storytelling, and reflection. Sharing them on LinkedIn turns those same stories into a living portfolio. Potential employers can see how you communicate, solve problems, and collaborate—all without you having to say “I’m good at teamwork” in a cover letter. You’ll have proof ready to go.
Get a Head Start on Your Job Search
By the time you return home, you could have dozens of LinkedIn posts that highlight your most valuable skills. That’s like walking into the job market with a pre-built showcase of what you can do. And because you started early, you’ll be way ahead of the competition.
If you’re already blogging, drop your URL in the comments. I’d love to subscribe and follow your Peace Corps journey.
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Other posts you might like: Awesome PC Blog & Newsletter Idea for the 3rd Goal
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A PCV in Albania!