Defying Expectations: The US Peace Corps as an Encore Career
In my book Disrupt Aging I talk about the concept of encore careers in reference to people age 50-plus who, after having concluded their “first” career, embark on a new one – an encore career – which is frequently one that encompasses some form of social impact.
Encore careers represent a fresh, new approach to the old “you-work-and-then-you-retire” paradigm and focus on the notion that maybe we’re happier and more fulfilled if we think less about having freedom from work and more about having the freedom to work; less about accumulating income and more about also accumulating fulfillment by doing something you really care about – or perhaps doing something you’ve done for years, but doing it in a new place.
While it’s clearly not a fit for everyone, one example is the rising incidence of people age-50-plus joining the Peace Corps. Since it was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, Peace Corps volunteers have worked at grassroots levels in education, health, economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development in more than 140 nations.
But surely Peace Corps volunteers are all about 25, right? Well, actually, no.
The Peace Corps has no maximum-age cut off and, in fact, fully seven percent of its current 7,000 volunteers are over the age 50 -- and they’re seeking more 50-plus volunteers. As one US Peace Corps official recently said, “Older Peace Corps volunteers defy expectations of age to offer a worldly perspective through their service overseas. As they embark on the next chapter of their lives, they possess a wealth of life and professional experience that becomes a vital asset in connecting with their host communities and fellow volunteers."
Need some inspiration or real-life examples?
Take a look at recent retiree Susan Schneider. She was just 11 years old when President Kennedy founded the Peace Corps and now, at 65, she’s achieving her childhood dream of becoming a volunteer. Susan will teach English in Tanzania and has spent more than a year preparing for service by learning Swahili and teaching English to refugees in her hometown.
Or there’s Alice Carter who last year, at the age of 86, embarked on a Peace Corps deployment to Morocco and is still serving there. Alice and Susan are just two of approximately 500 US Peace Corps volunteers over the age of 50 currently serving around the world. We’ll be covering Alice, Susan and other 50-plus Peace Corps volunteers in greater detail in a future issue of AARP Bulletin but I wanted to mention them in this column as examples of people 50-plus (sometimes way plus) taking bold steps to Disrupt Aging.
Whether teaching English in the Philippines, creating libraries in Uganda, or any of the other vital projects in which Peace Corps volunteers are engaged in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe, The Caribbean, North Africa, the Middle East and the Pacific Islands older Peace Corps volunteers like Alice, Susan and many hundreds of others have established a very significant presence in communities around the globe.
Your own encore career might be something closer to home but wherever you choose to embark on it – whether down the street or on the other side of the world – the idea is that staying active is the key to living a life of possibility, connection, and growth. Disrupt Aging!
More information on Peace Corps volunteer opportunities can be found here.
Jo Ann Jenkins is CEO of AARP. Ms. Jenkins's debut book, Disrupt Aging, is published by NYC-based Public Affairs
Enterprise Security and Privacy Management - SecurityFeeds LLC
8 年We're a PCV family (son and daughter-in-law). Nothing but praise for this program (enduring since the early 60s).
RETIRED - Working local elections and doing volunteer work. Marketing/Public Affairs/Government Relations Expert
8 年i had some neighbors who went into Peace Corp after retiring. Husband spoke a couple of languages. I thought it was really cool.
Public Health Program Manager
8 年I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in my mid-twenties, but was lucky enough to follow behind a couple in their 60's. Seeing the impact that they were able to have in my town, with so much more professional knowledge and life experience, had me thinking about serving a second term - after retirement - before I finished the first one. Especially as countries develop and grow their own professional work force, mid- and encore-career volunteers are going to be the key to continuing to provide valuable technical assistance.
Professional Trainer
8 年I hope the upcoming article will inspire others to seek service. I was 65 when I concluded my regular PC service. I returned home, worked PT for a non-profit (on whose board I once served!) for five years, then went into Response for a year. Once I get my new hip, I likely will seek another Response opportunity at age 74, Thank you for making PC more visible to seniors.
Customer Care Professional At Delta Airlines/Social Impact & Climate Change Enthusiast/Community Planner/Globetrotter
8 年I wish every AmeriCorps Alum was guaranteed a spot in the PeaceCorps after applying. I am doing AmeriCorps a 2nd time now after 5 years and loving it. Would be at least good to be given a chance for a PeaceCorps spot after having applied 3 Times in 2014 and 2015 and still turned down after 1st AmeriCorps term completed in 2011 with other NGO work done in India before that. More importantly, what are some other alternatives to PeaceCorps for people of all ages especially younger people with their biggest heart in service, culture and international living and where it is not extremely competitive? I do not understand how come a program with such service based work for humanity is so competitive? Also, I do not understand how grades ever have to be a factor when being considered for anything in general as has always been heard and experienced by others that practical, hands-on experience is key and top metric besides the classroom, school-work or theory as different world? Thanks for the time and any feedback would be appreciated to keep in mind and spread.