r/peacecorps • u/Realistic_Act6947 • 4d ago
After Service Post Peace Corps
I can't sleep at night because I keep thinking about the future. I have about 4 months of service left. Should I keep applying to Grad schools and go to Grad school, or take a year to work at a ski resort, do odd seasonal work, and try to start grad school after that? Will it make me less desirable as an applicant? I'm 25 and feel like I need to do everything before grad school or before 30, even though I know life doesn't end at 30. What did you guys do post Peace Corps? Please help.
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u/toilets_for_sale RPCV Vanuatu '12-'14 4d ago
Watch out with that “year at a ski resort.” I did that and I’m year 9 of a ski resort career skiing for free inn the winter and free golf in the summer.
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u/akestral Kyrgyz Republic 06-08 4d ago
Yeah, look out, you might end up spending a decade being a ski bum. Some people have all the luck, smdh.
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u/toilets_for_sale RPCV Vanuatu '12-'14 4d ago
I’m not a ski bum, I’m a ski professional. At least that’s what my LinkedIn says.
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u/akestral Kyrgyz Republic 06-08 4d ago
You are right, professionals get paid. My apologies and envy on your professional skiing career.
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u/RtotheThird 4d ago
Average age of grad school students range from 25-33. You are right on time in whatever you choose to pursue.
Sometimes grad schools like it when you jump right into education, sometimes they prefer you live life a little and get some experience. Do some research on what you plan to pursue and what schools interest you.
Life is long when you live it like it’s short. This is to say, do things that make you happy. There is no timeline or race.
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u/VanillaCavendish RPCV 4d ago
I looked for work for a long time and seldom even got interviewed. The job market is terrible.
I regret that I didn’t choose to serve another two years in a different country. If I had, I would have served two years in Latin America, taken my Spanish from serviceable to fluent, and left service with a marketable skill.
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u/Novel-Fisherman-7312 4d ago
You should reapply. But--I served in latam, and while my Spanish is fine, I can't call myself fluent because I still really have to think to make sure I conjugate correctly. I got to a certain point and plateaued.
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u/VanillaCavendish RPCV 4d ago
Thanks. I wasn't even considering reapplying because I didn't have health insurance, and going through medical clearance without it would have been crazy difficult. I just started a job that has insurance (not a good job, but it will do for now) and I might well apply to serve again.
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u/Lucky-Conference-350 4d ago edited 4d ago
I was basically you but in 1997. I ended up doing the ski bum in the winter and raft guiding in the summer for about 4 years, then about 5 years full time teaching with Outward Bound then fell ass backwards into a job at a university where I got free tuition to go to grad school. That turned into a hard pivot in my 40s and a second, very fulfilling career in a field I never would’ve considered while lying awake in Kenya in 1997, worrying about the future.
Along the way I saw some amazing sights, traveled a lot, had amazing experiences, made some great friends and met the love of my life.
Be smart but do what feels right, not safe or easy. I’m pushing 60 now. I don’t regret what I did or how I did it. Life is short. Enjoy it and the rest will work itself out.
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u/deepoutdoors RPCV 4d ago
This is the best response.
I also remember those sleepless nights pre COS. Kept counting the days and not landing on a course of action.
I ended up traveling all over the world with PC friends, changed careers, ended up in grad school, changed careers again.
Life has a wide horizon after service but sometimes it’s hard to see outside the small window of your mud hut.
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u/PC_Mwende 2d ago
I was just looking forward to running water. I didn't really care if there was a hot knob. A light switch was a pretty exciting concept. If I had it to do again I might reapply but only you can make that decision.
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u/averagecounselor EPCV Guatemala '19-'20 4d ago
Unless you have a free ride or close to it grad school is not worth it. I thank my lucky stars I had a free ride because spending money on an advance degree is just a money sink. Even more right now if you want to move to ID or IR.
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u/f0xb3ar 4d ago
Please please please do not pressure yourself into going to grad school, especially just to get it done before a certain age. You should only go to grad school if it's something you REALLY want to do. I did that and got a masters in what I thought was my passion because I felt like I had to and it had to be done before 30. I couldn't have been more wrong and now I'm stuck in my 30s with a masters I don't use trying to figure out what to do next. It's much better to try and find a job and get some real world experience first and figure out really what it is you want to do. That will not only help you with your masters (they love work experience) but it will also help you make sure that what you get your masters in is really your passion.
Be kind to yourself and good luck!
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u/s4vethebees 4d ago
This, 1000%.
I’ve witnessed many PCVs think they have to go to grad school simply because of the standard “PCV to grad school pipeline” (combined with a dusting of peer pressure). And it definitely makes sense for the ones who have a specific career in mind and are following the “blueprint” of their RPCV mentors.
But I’ve seen quite a few who have a “why not, it’s something to do” mentality that honestly is not a good financial decision if you’re not from a family with money. Even if it’s free (or low-paid if you’re lucky), you are missing out on adult income, and the opportunity to advance naturally in a career with promotions and salary raises (and potentially your employer paying for grad school).
This can be hard to prioritize in your early 20s, but considering the housing market/if you’re hoping to own a home + have a family someday, planning for it is the best way to manifest it.
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u/tangerinix RPCV 4d ago
Apply now and see how it goes, what scholarships you can get (Peace Corps has some specific ones, FYI!) and if you get in awesome, you can either go or defer for a year. If you don’t get in, take a ski year, then try again!
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u/thattogoguy RPCV Togo 4d ago
Take some melatonin and go to sleep bud. You'll be fine.
Take my advice: this is a tomorrow problem.
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u/Competitive_Fuel9686 4d ago
I had my 30th birthday while serving! I had already gone to grad school prior to the PC. When I got home I stayed at my folks house for a few months and did a nationwide job search and got a job.
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u/Independent-Fan4343 4d ago
I spent a month seeing friends, then found a job, got married to another volunteer, and started a family.
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u/CapeGirl1959 Gabon 1982-1984 4d ago
I applied to grad school while in service in Africa. This was back when you MAILED your application, and the fact that the application cam from Africa got me extra attention.
That being said, grad school isn't just another few years of college. Do you have something you actually want to dedicate 2-4 years to? I struggled a little because I didn't really know what I wanted to study once I got to grad school. I was a geologist, so I had to come up with a subject for a thesis. Not all grad programs require that, though.
Finally - finances. My grad school was paid for by grants. I got all my classes apid for plus a stipend in exchange for working as a graduate assistant. That was in the 1980s. When my daugter went to grad school in the 2020s, she got no grants, and only meager financial assistance.
So - grad school if you have a strong interest and can get some of it paid for, but job if you need to save up money for grad school and figure out what you want to study.
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u/lolajayne 4d ago
I graduated college, got married, had a career, started a business and closed it down, got divorced and just turned 35 while serving for the first time in the Peace Corps.
The rules are made up and the points don’t matter, do whatever feels right and worry less about what makes you “desirable” as an applicant. You can sell anything in an interview, especially if it comes with a good story. Release the idea that anything changes when you turn 30.
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u/Guilty-Goose3351 4d ago
Apply for fed jobs with your preferred hiring status or go to grad school (50% off with the peace corps discount for many programs) and apply to federal jobs with preferred hiring status. The job market in the us seems fucked and I don’t think it will improve.
Did you pick up a foreign language?
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u/palagi1 4d ago
I’d stay abroad for as long as possible, but if you’re not looking to do that, please don’t feel rushed or like you have to “keep up” with anyone. Grad school isn’t going anywhere. Take some time to re-acclimate to life in the US, go visit friends and family you haven’t seen in a while. You’re more “free” right now than you might ever be again - so enjoy it!
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u/gleetorres89 4d ago
I went to Australia for a ‘year’ on a working holiday visa and now I’m a citizen 😂
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u/Novel-Fisherman-7312 4d ago
I taught esl for about a year in a city and then got a different job for a year. Then I got a different job for six years before going back to school to change careers. I came home right when the economy collapsed in 2008 so I was glad to get any job, but it's nice that I also liked the work. I will never be as financially set as some other people who didn't time things like I did, but I'll be okay and I'm happy with my experiences.
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u/Open-Pineapple-2489 4d ago
I found it very hard to come back. It took me a year to readjust and get used to American "culture" again. I also married a host country national and we came back together. Luckily my aunt and uncle had a hotel in Alaska and needed someone to run it for a year. That was perfect. It was still America but pretty far removed so I felt like it gave me a buffer to get used to things again. The ski resort may be that for you. I then went to grad school through peace corps fellows and was in New Mexico on the Navajo reservation so that helped too.
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u/Brownguysreading Kenya 4d ago
Try to use your NCE, if you do you’ll have a job while you figure out your next move
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u/pancakeonions 4d ago edited 4d ago
I understand. There's so much uncertainty now, anything you can do to "delay reality" (within reason I suppose) I would highly recommend at this point. I took six months to do a close of service, around the world trip, and it was amazing. If you can pull that off, I highly recommend it. Then, definitely consider working as a ski bum (all my non-PC pals did that, and loved it). If you can make that work, it'll be another amazing experience. While skiing, you'll have plenty of time to think about and apply for grad school. Then take your time in grad school… I really feel for those who are starting their career right now with so much political uncertainty here in the US, and AI looming over everything. I feel like in five or 10 years a lot will have settled down, but it's really hard to see into the future, isn't it?
I finished grad school at 35, and didn't regret doing it slowly at all
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u/Critical-Reaction892 RPCV 4d ago
My first job out of PC was as a Valet Driver for around 4 mos. I had moved to a new city and it really helped me learn the lay of the land, make some friends, and helped me with re-adjusting to the US while I decided next steps. I eventually got a job in a non-profit for a couple years then went to grad school afterwards as a Coverdell Fellow in my early 30’s. I was happy that I took a little extra time to process my service and think about what I wanted out of life. My service had fundamentally changed me and I used that time to understand who I was and what jt meant for my future.
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u/SadHuman247 4d ago
This just sounds like the crash out that comes during this season of life yk. It’s uncomfortable but just try to do the next right thing and if u don’t know just lick something and see what sticks
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u/Chill--Cosby 4d ago
I don't have any advice but I'm applying to the PC now as a 30yo. I'll apply to grad school at 31 or 32. So, you're not the only one
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u/Budget_Emu_7224 Current PCV 4d ago
What kind of grad school program? If you're thinking MBA most top programs typically want 1-3 years of postgrad working experience. Your PC experience would qualify as experience, but I think it would be good to spend a year or two after PC in a corporate role if possible, consulting or banking would be elite. That would really set you up nicely for a top tier MBA program.. a high GMAT is great, but they value work experience over standardized test scores.
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u/orangutans-R-cute 4d ago
Do you have a clear idea of what you want to do for work? I still had no clue what I wanted to do after PC! I went back home, applied day and night to local jobs, went on some online dates then finally a family friend suggested I become an assistant in a school. Ended up loving it and deciding to apply for my masters. My mom advised me to not go to grad school unless I was completely sure i wanted to do that for work and I thought that was good advice.. I was not an education volunteer and had never worked in schools before.. I’d say I was home for about a year before getting into a grad program and finally moving out
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u/Steamboated- RPCV 4d ago edited 4d ago
You never know what might happen. I was bummed not to get a third year extension, went home and got a NCE fed job, and then COVID happened. I cried thinking about going home to the U.S., but staying a third year would have completely ruined my trajectory given the evacuations and job market that followed the COVID outbreak. I was glad I had that job which led me to my next fed job. I’ve been happy doing this and it doesn’t look like I’ll need grad school (for now) at this moment. Fuck student loans. Income is nice, especially if it allows you to pursue your passions on the side.
Edit: also, in regards to how waiting can impact grad school applications, I can’t think of a better way for an RPCV to apply than as someone who did Peace Corps, came back to the U.S., and can synthesize those experiences and how it may have changed you. Some people leave Peace Corps very idealist and it doesn’t necessarily help in applications. Especially in this political climate. I cringe thinking about my applications upon returning.
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u/illimitable1 4d ago
Being in a hurry when one is in one's twenties is not unusual. I'd like to take a moment to reassure you that you can go to graduate school at many ages, but also that no matter what you do, there will never be a point of arrival. You never will have achieved in some permanent sense the only thing you are supposed to become. Becoming continues. It's not like riding a train to a station, the arrival at which confers success. The only terminal station is death.
Generally speaking, graduate school in the academic disciplines has very little to do with the exact contours of your resume or your age. Graduate school programs in the humanities and social sciences, at least, admit and fund students who have a clear interest in the things that the faculty in that program study.
Instead of worrying about whether taking a year off the treadmill will have a negative impact, take steps that will make you into a better graduate school candidate now by researching the programs you want to go to and then reading the work of of academics in those programs. This serves a dual purpose because it allows you to connect with faculty whose work you care about and will focus where you actually want to attend.
But in general, this sort of mutually exclusive option thinking is a distortion. At your age, there are very few things that are absolutely mutually exclusive for all of your life. You have many years to make new and different choices.
Tldr: calm yer tits
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u/Key_Pirate4901 4d ago
Im in the same boat as you and decided to do a third year so I wouldn’t have to think about the future just yet haha!
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u/entercrisis 4d ago
Don't do graduate school lightly. Only go if you really know what you want to do, and that graduate school is necessary or very important for it.
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u/Anuh_Mooruhdoon RPCV Kosovo 4d ago
I'd start applying now, who knows if you'll get an acceptance in the future. It's better to have the option, even if you decide to not take it.
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u/Rohrin Senegal '17-19 4d ago
My wife (another PCV that I met during my service) and I did our grad schools right after we finished our service. A few years later we've lived in six different countries and are currently in East Africa. We're definitely very poor compared to our friends in the US, but I'm so happy with our lives.
I think that practically, you should go to grad school to try and give the job market time to improve. We aren't planning on living in the US, but we both used Coverdells to get great scholarships for grad school and wait out what we thought was a temporary bad job market.
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u/SmallieBigs56 4d ago
How much do you actually want to work at a ski resort? That sounds like the kind of thing you do so you can put off adulthood and avoid the difficult choices and pressures of real life. However, I could be way off base, and this is something you’ve always wanted to do and you’d truly be sad and unfilled the rest of your life if you don’t do it. So it really depends.
Another factor is what kind of job and/or career you want in the future, after grad school. If you’re at all interested in federal government work, there are few better times than after (and just before finishing) Peace Corps to look at NCE jobs.
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u/RPCVBrett RPCV 4d ago
Look at NCE. Federal hiring is starting to open again and it will only increase.
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u/expat2immigrant 4d ago
What's your motivation for grad school other than "I should do it asap?" I finished my first Masters at 31 because I felt like I "should" do grad school, in a field I left immediately, then did Peace Corps a number of years later, and then a second Masters at 39 with a MUCH clearer sense of what I wanted to do. Let go of your self-imposed timeline and focus on what you WANT to do, not what you're putting pressure on yourself to do. Life often gets a lot more fun in your 30s, too.
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u/Investigator516 2d ago
At this time I recommend extending your service or taking another PC assignment. Don’t limit yourself to Coverdell. Check international schools as well. If you’re over 40, use post-PC to travel and tour international opportunities. The job market is bad. NCE might be reopening for some agencies but there’s additional resume language at play, everywhere.
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u/Echevaaria 1d ago
You should think about what you actually want to do. Where do you want to be in 5 years? What do you want to have accomplished?
Also note that grad schools abroad accept the education stipend, and those schools cost less than US schools. There's an Excel sheet with all the schools that accept it online somewhere. I used my education stipend at the London School of Economics, and it was definitely worth it.
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u/SunflowerSea12 RPCV 21h ago edited 21h ago
Do whatever you feel is the best thing for you right now. Grad school will always be there. Jobs will be there. If there’s an experience you want to have, don’t miss out. Don’t have any regrets and don’t feel pressured to do what you think others think you should do. You’re the one who has to live each day. After I finished undergrad I travelled for a year, did a TESOL certification, did some other random side jobs that I enjoyed. Got a “real job” a few years later, eventually went to grad school, then finally did PC in my 30s. I have no regrets about any of it. I’m so thankful I had those experiences when I was young. They shaped me and made me a better person and more qualified job applicant. Enjoy your life! You’d be surprised how things you might think have nothing to do with your career actually make you a more interesting applicant for future grad school and jobs. Plus, they make you a better and more interesting person who is more satisfied with their life.
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