The Modern Peace Corps: Interview with Carrie Hessler-Radelet
Published 5/11/2015
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Carrie
Hessler-Radelet, Director of the Peace Corps.
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Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet
is the fourth generation of her family to have served in
the Peace Corps. Hessler-Radelet herself was a Peace Corps
Volunteer in Western Samoa from 1981 to 1983. Appointed
Deputy Director in 2010, she became Acting Director in 2012
and was appointed Peace Corps Director in 2014.
Hessler-Radelet's experience and knowledge
are very apparent in the profound changes she has made as
the Director. She led the first comprehensive agency assessment
since the founding of the Peace Corps. Results of the assessment
have produced exciting results. What was once an 8-hour
application process has been reduced to one hour. Potential
Volunteers can now specify where they want to serve and
apply to specific programs. In the past a prospective Volunteer
was unaware of either where they would serve or in what
capacity. The safety and health of Peace Corps Volunteers,
one of Hessler-Radelet’s major concerns, has been
addressed and improved with new initiatives.
Hessler-Radelet's two decades of working
in public health was instrumental in the creation of the
Peace Corps Office of Global Health and HIV and the Global
Health Service Partnership that sends physicians and nurses
to teach in developing countries.
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Carrie
Hessler-Radelet in the field while serving in the
Peace Corps.
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The Director of the Peace Corps, Hessler-Radelet,
very graciously responded to questions in the following
interview from Transitions Abroad's Editor-in-Chief Greg
Hubbs, and John Dwyer, Transitions Abroad's Contributing
Editor for Senior Volunteer Service and a Returned
Peace Corps Volunteer himself who served in Guatemala in
1991-92
Greg Hubbs: At a conference
December 9, 2014 hosted by the White House ("The
White House Travel Bloggers Summit on Study Abroad and Global
Citizenship") — where there was a concerted
and clearly coordinated effort by the Administration to
increase the quantity and diversity of young Americans going
abroad for many reasons ranging from educational to humanitarian
to diplomatic to economic and more... — you mentioned
that the Peace Corps is one volunteer assignment where you
can enter the force "broke" and walk away with
a stipend after service. You also suggested that it is a
great way to learn languages and gain cultural experience.
The experience sounded so life-changing that we wished that
we could join on the spot!
Since the prevailing view in the volunteer
field is that the most effective volunteers are those who
can bring some tangible skills to the table, what qualifications
and personality characteristics do you look for in a Peace
Corps candidate and how would any individual looking to
sign up know that they are realistically a good candidate?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: Peace
Corps service is highly competitive, and we’re looking
for applicants with a college degree and a commitment to
serve others. Volunteers come from all walks of life and
have a broad range of skill sets and career priorities.
Some potential volunteers will be interested in a specific
area of the world, others in a specific language, program,
or sector area. Flexibility, an open mind and a willingness
to learn are strong qualities that make successful volunteers.
Following historic
changes to our application and selection process
last summer, applicants can now view the required skills
for each open volunteer position. So applicants can choose
their country of service and apply to specific programs
that meet their personal and professional goals. Potential
applicants can also speak with a Peace Corps recruiter
in their area or attend a local recruitment event to
learn more.
G.H.: What sort of
training do you provide?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: The
Peace Corps provides volunteers with thorough and comprehensive
training so they can have a safe and productive volunteer
experience. Once invitees have accepted their Peace Corps
assignment, we provide online training materials and country-specific
information. When volunteers arrive in country, they participate
in pre-service training, which includes about three months
of intensive cultural, language, safety and technical training.
Volunteers often stay with host families during this period
to help them integrate into their communities. After being
sworn into service and moving to permanent sites, volunteers
continue to receive formal training and support from in-country
Peace Corps staff throughout their service.
G.H.: You spoke at
the conference about the importance now being placed on
both diversity of destination and diversity of minority
participation. You said that you were proud of the more
than 60 countries, and growing, in which the Peace Corps
operates and that 25% of volunteers are now minorities.
We are pleased to hear about the amount of diversity in
the program. How have you managed to achieve such progress?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: A
diverse and inclusive environment is essential to achieving
the Peace Corps mission. We are committed to ensuring the
Peace Corps represents the rich diversity of the United
States. We want every American to know about the Peace Corps,
and we want to reflect the diversity of America in our volunteers
abroad. Peace Corps’ Office of Diversity and National
Outreach aims to recruit a diverse pool of volunteers and
build an inclusive culture that welcomes applicants and
volunteers from all backgrounds. Since the announcement
of our recruitment reforms last July, we have hired dedicated
diversity recruiters and are forming partnerships with diverse
organizations, including Tribal Colleges and Universities,
Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Historically Black Colleges
and Universities. We also host diversity focused recruitment
events to give prospective applicants the opportunity to
learn about the benefits of Peace Corps service and the
value of global cross-cultural exchange.
G.H.: Is there
diversity in the age of those who enter to serve as well
given that the "boomer" generation has demonstrated
such a strong desire to volunteer, as have so-called Millennials?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: There
is! The Peace Corps is a life-defining experience for Americans
of all ages. While the average age of our volunteers is
28, Peace Corps volunteers range in age from 18-80. In fact,
7 percent of currently serving volunteers are over the age
of 50. Volunteers age 50 and over bring unique life skills
and professional experiences with them that allow them to
make an instant impact in the communities they serve around
the world. They play a valuable role as mentors and resources
for our younger volunteers.
G.H.: Applicants
have many new options with recent changes in the Peace Corps,
including being able to choose both the destination and
the type of volunteer work to perform. How do you manage
matching applicants' desires with available spots so that
very "desirable" locations and types of work are
not in competition and there is a balance of assignments
versus applicants?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: With
these changes in place, we are better positioned to offer
applicants assignments where they have the most interest
in serving and are able to make the greatest contribution.
As part of the application process, applicants can apply
to up to 3 specific programs at a time, including the option
to say, “send me where I’m needed.” Since
our reforms were implemented, we’ve seen that about
54 percent of applicants have selected the option to serve
anywhere they’re needed, and 49 percent have selected
the option to serve in any of Peace Corps’ six work
sectors. We also have a waiting list system in place to
ensure all posts receive the volunteers they need.
John Dwyer: How does
the Peace Corps determine what type of volunteer skills
are needed in the host countries?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: Our
volunteers serve at the invitation of our host countries,
and our staff works with host country governments to identify
their needs and goals, and that guides the types of volunteer
assignments we offer in each Peace Corps country.
G.H.: As many relatively
young people are volunteers in the Peace Corps, how do you
assure parents that such a long-term commitment is in their
young son's or daughter's best interest?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: The
Peace Corps is a rewarding and challenging opportunity,
and we recognize that the support of friends and family
is tremendously important for volunteers as they embark
on their service. We have an entire section on our website
dedicated to the friends and family of volunteers, and our
recruiters often host friends and family events so they
can learn more about the Peace Corps experience. Our Peace Corps’ Family
and Friends Guide helps answer some of the most frequently
asked questions, and our Office of Third Goal and Returned
Volunteer Services has a Peace Corps Family and Friends
Facebook group to connect family members and friends of
currently serving and returned Peace Corps volunteers. I’ve
heard from so many volunteers that their service changed
their life and helped them find their passion, as it did
for me. Hearing from returned volunteers firsthand has a
big impact.
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Carrie
Hessler-Radelet with another volunteer and community
members in the field while serving in the Peace Corps.
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Gregory Hubbs: Do you
reach out to the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to spread
the word to others and perhaps to their own children and
relatives?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: Peace
Corps’ Office of Third Goal and Returned Volunteer
Services supports our alumni network of nearly 220,000 returned
volunteers and provides career, education, and transition
assistance. We publish online job announcements, graduate
school information, and career-related articles and advice;
sponsors career events throughout the year across the country;
and help returned volunteers translate their field experience
for prospective employers. Returned volunteers often participate
in Peace Corps recruitment events to share their experiences,
and we also work closely with the National Peace Corps Association,
a nonprofit alumni organization for returned volunteers.
J.D.: In the
past, there have been some concerns about the safety of
volunteers at their Peace Corps sites. What steps have been
taken to bolster both personal safety training and security
procedures?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: Volunteers’ health,
safety and security are our absolute highest priorities,
and we are deeply committed to providing volunteers with
world-class training, guidance and support so they remain
healthy, safe and productive throughout their service. As
a mother, as a woman, as a returned Peace Corps volunteer,
there is no issue I care about more – or one that
I spend more time on. Over the last few years, working with
nationally recognized experts, we have implemented extensive
new policies and practices that reduce risks for volunteers
and ensure effective and compassionate support when crime
does occur. As a result, our volunteers are better informed,
better trained, and better supported. There has been nothing
short of a broad culture shift at the Peace Corps, and our
approach is volunteer-centered every step of the way.
J.D.: You have streamlined
both the application packet and the application process.
How long, on average, is the waiting period before an applicant
knows whether they have been accepted as a volunteer?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: One
of the key changes to our application process is that every
Peace Corps position now has “apply by” and “know
by” deadlines, so applicants
know when to expect an invitation. These deadlines give
applicants more certainty than ever and help them plan for
their future. We are working to take every potential volunteer
from application to invitation in three months — no
more waiting six, nine, 12 months or more to hear whether
you were selected to serve. If you apply on time, you’ll
know if you were selected on time — just like applying
to college or for a job. Anyone who wants to make a difference
can explore available service opportunities and learn more
at PeaceCorps.gov/openings.
J.D.: What is the percentage
of volunteers over the age of 50 and how does the Peace
Corps reach out to recruit such volunteers?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: About
7 percent of volunteers currently in service are age 50
and over. Peace Corps service is a great way for older Americans
to continue their careers and use their life experiences
in a non-traditional environment.
The Peace Corps has partnered with AARP
since 2011 to connect older people with more service opportunities
in the United States and abroad. The agency continues to
collaborate with AARP and frequently attends AARP’s
annual “Life @ 50+” conventions. In 2013, Peace
Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet published an op-ed
in The Journal, AARP’s premier international
publication, and last year, Peace Corps honored AARP CEO
Jo Ann Jenkins with the Franklin H. Williams Director’s
Award for her continued support of the Peace Corps mission
and her steadfast commitment to the cause of peace and civic
involvement.
We also talk with interested applicants
who have more experience about our Peace
Corps Response and Global
Health Service Partnership programs. Peace Corps Response
offers short-term, high-impact overseas assignments for
returned Peace Corps volunteers or professionals with at
least 10 years of work experience. And our Global Health
Service Partnership is an innovative public-private partnership
program with the U.S. Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS
Relief (PEPFAR) and Seed Global Health that places qualified
nurses, physicians and other health professionals as adjunct
faculty in medical or nursing schools overseas.
G.H.: We know that
Returned Volunteers seem to have had disproportionate success
in their careers. What do you think are the primary qualities
carried forth from the volunteer experience that have enabled
so many Returned Peace Corps Volunteers to become successful
freelancers, entrepreneurs, and great leaders?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: Peace
Corps volunteers return home as global citizens with new
perspectives. They have cross-cultural, leadership, language,
teaching and community development skills that give them
a competitive edge for advanced education and job opportunities
in today’s global economy. They also develop vital
life skills, such as perseverance and flexibility, and get
hands-on program management experience. In our interconnected
world, these are vital skills that employers are looking
for now more than ever. The unique Peace Corps experience
helps returned volunteers find success across a number of
fields and industries, and many continue their service in
their local communities.
G.H.: You told a moving
story at the conference at the White House about Peace Corps
volunteers in Malawi. Can you share it and some of the lessons
offered?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: Sure.
There are so many great stories of the work of our Peace
Corps volunteers. In Malawi, Peace Corps volunteer Dwayne
Matthews works as a community health advisor. Dwayne reports
that his most effective activity is Project METHOD, which
stands for Malawian Empowerment Through Hip Hop & Organization
Development. He mobilizes youth throughout local villages
to use the hip hop culture of rap, breakdancing and graffiti
art as a tool to talk about unsafe cultural practices, HIV/AIDS,
gender empowerment, safe sex, and behavior change. Through
Project METHOD, youth learn to express themselves creatively
while also becoming change agents within their community.
Dwayne says, “One of the great
opportunities I have had, being an African American in the
Peace Corps, is being able to share with Malawians the rich
history and contributions African Americans have made to
the United States. But most important to me, as an African
American volunteer, is understanding the complexities and
dynamics of my heritage and having a newfound appreciation
of my race and culture, with the intention to encourage
more African American presence on a global level.”
G.H.: What are your
long-term goals for the Peace Corps in terms of membership
and growth?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: The
demand for Peace Corps is great, and we hope to increase
our volunteers in the field in the coming years. We have
been absolutely thrilled to see such an enthusiastic response
to the reforms we announced last summer. We know that Americans
today want to make a difference, and we’ve seen that
when we offer a simpler, clearer process for service, Americans
will raise their hands to serve in record numbers. So while
we hope to grow our volunteer footprint, we can only support
the number of volunteers that our resources allow for.
G.H.: You are from
a very inspiring family where four generations have worked
in the Peace Corps. What percentage of Returned Peace Corps
Volunteers continue in related fields, such as becoming
aid workers or a life of service related to volunteering?
Carrie Hessler-Radelet: What
I can tell you is that many of our Peace Corps volunteers
pursue job opportunities in development after their service,
and employers seek out Peace Corps volunteers because they
know how valuable they are as employees. Hundreds of employers
across nonprofit organizations and government participate
in our career development events each year to network
with and hire returned volunteers, including the U.S. Department
of State, Doctors Without Borders, and John Snow, Inc. And
we know that no matter what our volunteers do after their
service, the great majority of them continue to serve their
communities here at home.
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Transitions Abroad wishes to
express our appreciation to Carrie Hessler-Radelet for the
time she found to answer our questions with regard to the
Peace Corps. Clearly, in her role as Director she has and
is making progressive changes to an already stellar and
visionary program that promises to increase future participation
by Americans — from the current 25% of volunteers
who are minorities and volunteers of all ages — in
locations where there are communities in need across the
world. We strongly recommend that you look at the program
seriously as an opportunity to not only provide much-needed
volunteer work, gain deeper intercultural experience, and
enhance the likelihood of success in your endeavors after
service — as have so many Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
in the past.
Please visit the excellent Peace
Corps website, and rich social media homes on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, Youtube,
and Instagram for
much more information and resources.
In addition, Transitions Abroad has
noted that over our history since we were founded in 1977
that some of the finest submissions from participants and
professional travel writers alike are Returned Peace Corps
Volunteers. We strongly encourage current and future members
to share their own experiences for publication
on our website (on a paid basis for your time) as a
continuation of your invaluable service and as yet another
way to spread the word about your own unique experience
and perspective.
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