Monday, February 21, 2011

In the same boat

Is there anyone else in the same boat as me??

I thought I'd take this as an opportunity to reach out to others that are nominated for Sub Saharan Africa in August 2011.

Is there anyone else?

If so, what part of the timeline are you in? I'm currently awaiting medical clearance. I was dentally cleared February 7 and sent in paperwork, Jan 27. 

Let's keep in touch so we can deal with our RAS together :)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Narrowed the List

Sent my placement officer an email asking for her input on how to prepare for the trip :) waiting for a response.

I also narrowed down the list further using wiki...I looked at the countries that departed in August last year and the countries in Africa that have business advising and I am looking at Uganda and Senegal. :) I honestly don't really care where I go, I just like playing the guessing game. I am not attached to any specific country or continent. I know that I would love to serve in Africa, but if not my second choice is a Spanish speaking country. Peace Corps drills in your head the need to be flexible, I dont want to get my heart set on a place and then have that change.

Monday, February 14, 2011

How to Prepare

First, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! now on to Peace Corps :)

Lately, I've been debating if I have all the skills needed to make a difference for businesses in my unknown village. I want to make sure I am prepared as possible. The problem is I am not sure exactly what skills will be needed for the program. I asked my recruiter what type of activities I should get involved in and she said not to worry that I am fine.  Something I constantly try to remind myself is that I have the tools within me I just have to use them. I'm probably overthinking, as usual. I try to read blogs to get an idea of what a business advisor in the peace corps would do. But, no luck so far. I do remember reading that usually people who are involved in business teach basic skills such as the 4P's, keeping inventory etc. So far I'll have a business degree in marketing and a few marketing internships under my belt. If you guys have any suggestions on ways to gain more experience please let me know!

I may finally have a hold on my RAS, today is the first day I didn't log into peace corps to check my application status :) PROGRESS! 

I thought I'd add my timeline of my application process, as I have found them useful to read from other applicants:

Applied- September 15, 2010
Interview- October 6, 2010 (two hour interview)
Nominated- October 6, 2010
Sent in Medical Packet- January 27, 2011 (I didnt amke my appointments until December)
Dentally Cleared- February 7, 2011


Update (about twenty minutes after I wrote the above section)
I was able to find some more information about the business advising program
 
Peace Corps Website
  •  Volunteers work in a variety of settings, assisting both private and public businesses, local and     regional governments, nonprofit organizations, women’s and youth groups, and educational institutions.
  • Train and advise entrepreneurs and managers in business planning, marketing, financial management, and product design
  • Advise agricultural cooperatives, agribusinesses, and farmers
  • Develop and write project funding proposals and assist with credit programs
  • Work with community and business support groups
  • Teach business courses, English, and Junior Achievement programs and facilitate business training workshops
  • Work with artisans to improve business practices and marketing techniques and help develop the local tourism industry
Wiki also states:
  • Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in business, economics, management, finance, marketing, accounting, computer systems, or international business; or a degree in any discipline with experience in cooperatives, bookkeeping, small business, or credit unions; or no college degree and four or more years of business management experience.
  • Most applicants have worked for at least one year in small business, management, accounting, or cooperatives.
  • Other relevant experience includes management in a multi-task environment, owning or operating a small business, and volunteer work with community- or school-based organizations or clubs.
  • Some applicants also have experience in human resource development or training, market research and financial advising, research for project development activities, and fundraising. Project management experience, information technology skills, and agriculture experience are also useful.
Check this article out too for even more detail
http://peacecorps.isp.msu.edu/documents/AA_140.pdf
    Now, I have some things to work with :)

    Monday, February 7, 2011

    Did I read this correctly?

    My screen reads:
    Dental Complete. Peace Corps has completed your dental review. There are no dental holds on your account at this time.
    Legal There are no legal holds on your account at this time.
     Medical Peace Corps is currently reviewing your medical documentation.

    How wonderful it is to read these words!!  I can't believe it's going so fast. I just sent in my dental work 12 days ago! My placement worker said they wouldn't even receive my information for 2-3 weeks and in another 2-3 weeks I could expected to be cleared. Yet, I have already been cleared (for dental) in less than 2 weeks. Next up, medical.

    It's crazy how every minor change feels like such a great accomplishment. When my status changed from waiting to reviewing medical and dental I was excited. Now looking at reviewing to complete (for dental) I just jump for joy. Granted, I still have to wait for the rest to be completed, I am just so enthused about having a part of my medical process completed. I keep logging in, just to see those words again.

    Sunday, February 6, 2011

    Searching the Web

    I haven't been this excited or anxious for anything in a long time. I'm excited for the day I get medically cleared, nervous for the day that I reveice my invitation,and wondering where I could possibly be going. My fabulous recruiter told me that I must keep busy. I was convinced that wouldn't be a problem, I'm completing my undergraduate degree and figured in between studying, tests, and parties I would have my hands full. But in my moments of quiet time I still wonder about the next step. Eagerly anticipating contact form the Peace Corps, reading countless blogs about others experiences, and waiting for the day I can tell about mine. 


    With the football game in the background, I am attempting to figure out what country I may go to based on my anticipated departure date and region. I have narrowed it down to Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Mazambique, Niger, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Uganda, and Cameroon.

    The site I used is http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Timeline just in case anyone else wants to do it.

    Wednesday, February 2, 2011

    Spoke Too Soon

    They have received my medical and dental information and are currently reviewing it.

    YAAYYY!!!! :) Now waiting clearance! Apparently they can receive your information in 6 days! :)


    My parents are a bit concerned about me leaving the country. My dad is surprisingly more vocal about it than my mom. Why  does it surprise me? Not sure, as he is the one who tells me not to go to the beach because the sharks will bite me and not to volunteer to "at risk" children because I may get stabbed. He's concerned, understandably. Fortunately, he did not watch the 20/20 special. Otherwise, I believe he would have locked me in a room and swallowed the key.


    At the end of the day, my parents support me. Although they may not always understand my decisions, they are proud of me for going. I am not completely sure that it has hit them that I may not see them for 2 years, but I'll cross that bridge when it comes.

    Beginning My Journey

    After thinking about why I wanted to serve, meeting with the local recruiters, and preparing for the interview I was nominated to serve for the Peace Corps October 6, 2010 for Sub Saharan Africa business advising.

    Fast forward to February and all I keep thinking is "Am I cleared yet, am I cleared yet?" I have finally completed my medical process, filled out the forms, and got my shots taken care of. I sent in my papers late January and, let me tell you, I have been anxiously waiting for a reply back. It wasn't until I was in the bathroom (where I do a lot of my thinking) that I realized it's only been 6 days since I sent the paper work. Of course I haven't heard back from them! This must be the patience part that they always warn me about. Now to practice patience.

    Feel free to follow along my Peace Corps adventure, I look forward to sharing it.