Take an RPCV to Work Day
Take an RPCV to Work Day – Guide for RPCVs
Friday, March 1, 2013
The 2nd annual Take an RPCV to Work Day an excellent opportunity for RPCVs to network at companies and organizations, promote a better understanding of our host countries, and impress upon folks the many valuable skill sets that we bring home from our work overseas. RPCVs will visit offices around the country to share stories from their international service, and demonstrate expertise in diverse, globally relevant fields. You can use this event to visit an organization you are interested in learning more about while showcasing the cultural and technical aspects of your Peace Corps service.
To participate:
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1) Register your participation in the event.
The first step is to register with the Office of Third Goal and Returned Volunteer Services. By doing so, you will receive a Peace Corps Third Goal Kit including a Peace Corps map that you may use as a visual aid in any presentation you conduct. Please feel free to leave the map with the office you visit as a further token of your appreciation.
When filling out the form, you will be asked to list the Type of Activity. Please select "Other" and specify Take an RPCV to Work Day in the text box provided. For Approximate # of Participants, please estimate or insert "N/A."
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2) Identify the company or organization that you wish to visit.
There are two ways to seek out an organization for this opportunity. You can check to see if any employers have contacted the Peace Corps to express their interest in hosting RPCVs by visiting RPCV Career Link and searching for "Take an RPCV to Work Day – Employer Listing." If you find a company or organization under that specific listing that interests you, contact them and tell them you would love to visit them as part of this special day.
The second way is to reach out to organizations in your area, raise awareness of Take an RPCV to Work Day, and convey your interest in visiting them. We have included a sample e-mail message(DOC) (PDF) and sample agenda (DOC) (PDF) to assist you with this self-driven approach.
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3) Research the organization you will be visiting.
Gather as much information as possible about their project areas and trends in the field, and pay special attention to their goals, mission, and organizational structure.
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4) Prepare your Third Goal presentation in advance.
Review presentation resources on the World Wise Schools (PDF) site and through other sources. The following topics might also help spur presentation ideas: Cultural comparison; language lessons; housing; food; dress; transportation; religious ceremonies, weddings and funerals; artistic expression; seasons; physical terrain; project success stories; personal anecdotes about host country friends/community members.
The Third Goal PowerPoint template can also be customized for your presentation, so feel free to creatively add your own pictures and categories as appropriate.
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5) Know what to expect.
Make sure you know what your host organization expects from you. Assume the dress code is business professional unless otherwise informed, and be sure to discuss what type of presentation about your Peace Corps service/host country would be of interest (e.g., formal vs. informal, time allotted, etc.).
NOTE:
During the day you may have the opportunity to do some great networking or informational interviews. Visit our on-demand video library to get tips on these and other career-related topics. -
6) Tell us about your Take an RPCV to Work Day experience.
The Office of Third Goal and Returned Volunteer Services would love to hear how your experience went, and we will be selecting photos and stories to share on the Peace Corps website and in other communications. E-mail us at rvs@peacecorps.gov, join the conversation and follow us @pcthirdgoal and tweet at #pcweek2013.
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7) Send/e-mail a thank you note.
Be sure to follow up with your host(s) after the event and thank them for hosting you. Gratitude goes a long way!
RPCV Resources
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Sample Email Message (DOC) (PDF)
(RPCVs can modify/send to employers to find a host organization) -
Sample Agenda (DOC) (PDF)
(RPCVs can share this with host organizations as an example – it is completely flexible and should be modified to meet the needs/schedules of participating hosts and RPCVs)
Last updated Jan 22 2013
