Getting started - The story behind "Peace Corps in Midlife - Have No Regrets!"
Why join the U.S. Peace Corps in Midlife?
First of all, "midlife" is a loose term -- For me, at age 59, I feel like I'm in midlife, though some might say differently. I have no aspirations to live to age 120, yet I've always felt younger than my chronological age and have done my best to listen to and act on the dreams/aspirations I've had to eliminate any regrets later in life (aka on my deathbed). More stories later on what some of the other dreams/aspirations have been to this point, and for now, I'm focusing on the Peace Corps.
I've taken portions of my Peace Corps Application to give you a sense of what I mean by "Have No Regrets"...............
My desire to serve in the Peace Corps is long and deep. I considered applying right after graduating from college; however, I felt pressure to get a higher paying, “mainstream” job. Since then, I have had a variety of life experiences that have helped me understand and know myself better. I have worked in a variety of industries, lived in and assimilated to several different cultures and languages, and was given the gift of being with my each of parents when they died. These experiences and reading Gary Chapman’s book “The Five Love Languages,” have led me to realize that I feel most fulfilled when I’m performing acts of service or spending quality time with others.
Life is full of challenges and opportunities for growth and development, and some of my most fulfilling and life-changing experiences began as challenges. In the late-80s I was in a "career crisis" as a Portfolio Manager at a large California bank, managing roughly $20 million of my clients’ stocks, bonds and other assets. Although I enjoyed the connections with my clients, I felt restless, unfulfilled, and inauthentic. I needed to make a change, so I started volunteering in the pediatric unit at a local hospital. It was there that I met a woman in the graduate program in which I later enrolled. My time as a volunteer and grad student fed my soul and led me toward a more fulfilling and rewarding path.
During my junior year abroad in France, I lived with an elderly woman who’d had a difficult life, was guarded, and was dependent on the funds from my living with her. I did what I could to connect with her, but found this to be quite challenging, and an impediment to my sense of connection and belonging. Luckily, I found an ad posted by a local woman looking to meet and spend time with an American to exchange English and French conversation — our eventual relationship restored my confidence and provided a connection with a French family.
An example of a physical challenge I encountered was walking a marathon back in the early 2000s. I successfully completed it in eight hours without blisters, heat exhaustion, or anxiety because of the education, preparation, and community support I received during four months of training by Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s TNT.
Having taken advantage of unexpected opportunities throughout my life, I now realize I am happiest, most productive and fulfilled when my work includes variety, allows for creativity, and provides a balance of working both independently and interdependently. I have also discovered that, for me, the most meaningful positions involve “teaching people to fish” — offering leadership by standing alongside others, listening, and encouraging them to take the first steps towards their goal.
When I imagine myself on my own deathbed, I know that I would have regrets if I never pursued my dream to be a Peace Corps Volunteer. Now is the right time for me to move in this direction, and, given my life experience and maturity, I believe I will make a valuable addition to the Peace Corps organization. (submitted in Dec 2017)
I joined the Peace Corps as a trainee in late-August 2018, and was sworn in as a PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer) in Nov 2018. My service extends through November 2020.
First of all, "midlife" is a loose term -- For me, at age 59, I feel like I'm in midlife, though some might say differently. I have no aspirations to live to age 120, yet I've always felt younger than my chronological age and have done my best to listen to and act on the dreams/aspirations I've had to eliminate any regrets later in life (aka on my deathbed). More stories later on what some of the other dreams/aspirations have been to this point, and for now, I'm focusing on the Peace Corps.
I've taken portions of my Peace Corps Application to give you a sense of what I mean by "Have No Regrets"...............
My desire to serve in the Peace Corps is long and deep. I considered applying right after graduating from college; however, I felt pressure to get a higher paying, “mainstream” job. Since then, I have had a variety of life experiences that have helped me understand and know myself better. I have worked in a variety of industries, lived in and assimilated to several different cultures and languages, and was given the gift of being with my each of parents when they died. These experiences and reading Gary Chapman’s book “The Five Love Languages,” have led me to realize that I feel most fulfilled when I’m performing acts of service or spending quality time with others.
Life is full of challenges and opportunities for growth and development, and some of my most fulfilling and life-changing experiences began as challenges. In the late-80s I was in a "career crisis" as a Portfolio Manager at a large California bank, managing roughly $20 million of my clients’ stocks, bonds and other assets. Although I enjoyed the connections with my clients, I felt restless, unfulfilled, and inauthentic. I needed to make a change, so I started volunteering in the pediatric unit at a local hospital. It was there that I met a woman in the graduate program in which I later enrolled. My time as a volunteer and grad student fed my soul and led me toward a more fulfilling and rewarding path.
During my junior year abroad in France, I lived with an elderly woman who’d had a difficult life, was guarded, and was dependent on the funds from my living with her. I did what I could to connect with her, but found this to be quite challenging, and an impediment to my sense of connection and belonging. Luckily, I found an ad posted by a local woman looking to meet and spend time with an American to exchange English and French conversation — our eventual relationship restored my confidence and provided a connection with a French family.
An example of a physical challenge I encountered was walking a marathon back in the early 2000s. I successfully completed it in eight hours without blisters, heat exhaustion, or anxiety because of the education, preparation, and community support I received during four months of training by Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s TNT.
Having taken advantage of unexpected opportunities throughout my life, I now realize I am happiest, most productive and fulfilled when my work includes variety, allows for creativity, and provides a balance of working both independently and interdependently. I have also discovered that, for me, the most meaningful positions involve “teaching people to fish” — offering leadership by standing alongside others, listening, and encouraging them to take the first steps towards their goal.
When I imagine myself on my own deathbed, I know that I would have regrets if I never pursued my dream to be a Peace Corps Volunteer. Now is the right time for me to move in this direction, and, given my life experience and maturity, I believe I will make a valuable addition to the Peace Corps organization. (submitted in Dec 2017)
I joined the Peace Corps as a trainee in late-August 2018, and was sworn in as a PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer) in Nov 2018. My service extends through November 2020.
Can't wait to meet you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peggy! See you in August, Jen
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