I rushed home from work today to check my mailbox. I was expecting a package of material to finish up my application (reference letters, security clearance, and fingerprint cards). Yay! It was in by mailbox…a little nervous when I had it in hand because it was unsealed. Luckily after going through the checklist, I had everything that was listed.

I spent the next couple of hours reading the material, especially some of the information sheets about some of the assignments. I then read through the corresponding addendum questionnaires. At first I was in awe and overwhelmed with the amount of paperwork, but after I “dug” in and got to it, I found that it was a lot less painful than first impressions.

Tomorrow I will be going to talk to my current employer. I’m nervous about his reaction due to the fact that I am not 100% sure how he will respond. It’s got to happen sooner or later and since I would like to use him as a reference, I figure tomorrow is as good a time as any!

Today I was getting ready and my phone rang. I saw that it was a 612 area code (Minneapolis) and thought to myself, “Oh my gosh, it’s my PC recruiter!” Low and behold, it was AB (the recruiter) on the other end of the phone. She introduced herself as the recruiter who will be handling my application. She was very polite and easy to talk to. AB explained what was going to happen now that my application has been received and reviewed. She told me that I would have to rewrite the Cross-Cultural essay and be more specific. AB explained what exactly she wanted so it shouldn’t be a problem. She also explained the contents of the packet she was sending out today. There will be reference letter forms, some questions that will be asked in the interview (which is next Thursday, May 6 at 1 p.m.!!!), and some information on programs that match the experience I have had. AB also asked me to send a copy of my transcripts to her office which I had already taken care of yesterday.

I was so excited that I called my mom right away. She has been very supportive of my decision to join the Peace Corps. I’m not too sure of what my dad thinks and I have yet to really sit down and talk about it with my two sisters. I hope everyone is as supportive as my mom…thanks mom!

In applying for the Peace Corps, I had hoped to find something “to do” for a couple of years instead of the humdrum of the daily monotony that I am currently committed to. As I sit at my computer (hours at a time), learning more about the Peace Corps, and the experiences of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV), I am convinced that working in the juvenile corrections facility has readied me for a new and exciting experience with PC.

I admit I am a little nervous as I start this process, but it has been 7 days since I submitted my application. In looking back, I am unsure if I have filled out the application as professionally or as well as I could have. I just hope that during the interviews and the whole acceptance process shows the PC recruiter that I am committed and serious about volunteering.