Peace Corps Recruiter, Peace Corps

Dan MacLaughlin
Major(s): History
Minor(s): Communications
Additional Degrees: TEFL Certificate (Hamline)
Current Job Title: Peace Corps Recruiter
Organization: Peace Corps

Brief description of your job:
I recruit, educate and evaluate candidates for Peace Corps service.

Other job titles you have held:
Advertising Policy Specialist, Publishing Systems Operator, Adult ESL Teacher, Peace Corps Volunteer – English Teacher, Biking Program Manager.

How have you found these positions?
I worked at the Daily while attending the U of MN. After I graduated I went to the Star Tribune and looked at their job posting board in their entryway, and applied for a position in their Advertising Policy department. As a Policy Specialist, I worked closely with the Publishing Systems department and after a few years, I was invited to apply for a position in that department. A few years later I took a TEFL course and started teaching adult ESL while I went through the Peace Corps application process. When I returned from Peace Corps service, I wanted to find a position with a non-profit working with youth. I looked at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits' web site and found an opening for a program manager with Bolder Options. A short while later, I heard through the Peace Corps grapevine that Peace Corps had an opening for a recruiter position. I applied and was hired.

What skills from your degree do you use in your current work?
A broad understanding of the world, its peoples and cultures provides a framework for working effectively across cultures and with diverse populations. Communication skills: public speaking, writing, critical thinking, active listening.

What advice do you have for current students?
Get involved in your community. Volunteering gives you an opportunity to get some practical experience and to develop leadership, communication, teamwork and time management skills. It's also a great way to network with people involved in your field of interest. And whatever you give, you get twice as much back from the community.