Jodi and her panel address a popular career goal among RPCVs — becoming a foreign service officer. Many do not realize there are multiple ways to get into the Foreign Service, including some that don't even require the dreaded and difficult Foreign Service Exam. Featured guests for this podcast include RPCVs who have joined the Foreign Service in different capacities and followed distinct pathways. Each guest discusses their unique experiences, answer audience questions, and provide sage...

This special podcast episode is being recorded in honor of International HIV/AIDS Awareness Month. You'll hear from accomplished RPCVs who have worked in the field of HIV/AIDS over the years, within diverse organizations and sectors, both domestically and internationally.  Featured guests will discuss their experiences in the HIV/AIDS sector, how the field has changed in recent years, and provide feedback for RPCVs interested in pursuing a career in public health.  FEATURED GUESTS: Lauren...

This special podcast episode is being recorded in honor of International HIV/AIDS Awareness Month. You'll hear from accomplished RPCVs who have worked in the field of HIV/AIDS over the years, within diverse organizations and sectors, both domestically and internationally.  Featured guests will discuss their experiences in the HIV/AIDS sector, how the field has changed in recent years, and provide feedback for RPCVs interested in pursuing a career in public health.  FEATURED GUESTS: Lauren...

The holiday season can be an overwhelming time of the year, but it does not mean it's time to stop the job search. Listen to the tips and advice Jodi Hammer,  (RPCV - Ecuador 1994–97), and special guest Dr. Ronda Ansted (RPCV - South Africa)  share about networking during holiday season. Learn how to continue your path on the job search for the New Year. FEATURED GUEST: Dr. Ronda Ansted is an RPCV (South Africa), career consultant and creator of the My Career Design Studio, a unique online...

Jobs with Jodi  hosts a conversation with RPCV Andrew Wilson who speaks on his own experience in driving innovation in several federal agencies — promoting principles of transparency, participation, and collaboration — while working in various digital communication roles, including Web Manager, before transitioning into his current leadership role of Director of the Office of the Third Goal & Returned Volunteer Services at Peace Corps. 

We are reviewing and straightening out some misperceptions about Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), a program that allows for the forgiveness of specific federal student loans in exchange for 10 years of public service in a federal, state or local government, or in select nonprofits. The PSLF program has the potential to save borrowers countless thousands of dollars. But there has been a great deal of confusion about and misinterpretation of Department of Education program guidelines...

This week's Sector Spotlight Podcast will focus on the increasingly in-demand field of Refugee & Resettlement work, spotlighting four RPCV professionals working in the field, sharing about their own careers and spotlighting the many career opportunities available.  Resources on job opportunities and organizations have been listed below in the description. Special Guests: 1) Anneke Valk, RPCV/Georgia 2013-15, is a Regional Refugee Health Office for the U.S. Committee for Refugees and...

Jobs with Jodi focuses on the area of  gender equality and women’s empowerment, with two seasoned RPCV professionals who have worked in that sector both domestically and internationally. Both guests have extensive experience in the field, with organizations ranging from federal sector players such as USAID and State Department, to international and domestic nonprofits committed to women's empowerment and gender equality. Featured panelists offer tips and advice based on their own experience...

This podcast features special guest and RPCV Leaders in Action features a conversation with Helene Dudley. She is a two-time RPCV and founder/Executive Director of TCP Global, an award-winning micro-lending program empowering underserved populations in 14 countries. Come learn about her unique background and inspirational program, TCP Global. In 2000, she collaborated with other Colombia RPCVs to establish The Colombia Project to help people displaced by violence in Colombia to reestablish...

Change is the only constant in life, and yet we are often ill-equipped to deal with change in our personal and professional lives. This episode of Ask the Career Coach episode explores the many faces of change in the career arena, and the concept of moving on, and all of the circumstances involved in making that decision. Our monthly guest, Dr. Ronda Ansted, Career Coach and NPCA Consultant, along with host and Career Support Specialist, Jodi Hammer, discuss and answer questions related to...

This podcast features special guest and RPCV Leader in Action,  Douglass Teschner, talking about his expert advice and knowledge on being a leader. Sharing his wealth of knowledge in mentoring and leading  RPCVs. He shares his rich experience and career trajectory that  has led him to mentoring and leading RPCVs.  Doug has had a wealth of experience in and outside of Peace Corps at leadership levels and is a huge advocate for the importance of being a good leader. Featured guest: Douglass...

As RPCVs prepared to join National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) for the 60th anniversary Peace Corps Connect conference September 23–25, we invite you to listen to this recording of a special commemoration event on the morning of September 22, 2021— 60 years to the hour after after the signing of the Peace Corps Act. September 22, 1961 at 9:45 AM. That was the moment when President John F. Kennedy signed congressional legislation that formally established the Peace Corps. Join NPCA to...

Being fired or let go is not the end of the world, and is common among many people. Understanding what to do next is the focus of this months podcast. This months "Ask the Career Coach" addresses the topic of being fired or let go from your job, and guidance towards a positive outlook on this detrimental occurrence.  Ronda and Jodi offer guidance into changing this detrimental occurrence into a positive new start. They share tips and advice next steps for your career and making this...

Are you undecided about whether or not to register for the Peace Corps Connect 2021 virtual 60th Anniversary Conference happening from September 23-25? This brief 10 minute podcast interview with two of the conference planners will give you the inspiration you need to join (yet another, we know!) virtual event during the evening hours.  In this recording, Evelyn Ganzglass and Raisa Alstodt talk about some of the key sessions and provide an overview of the conference, with an insight into the...

In this special episode with guest host, Dan Baker, we talk to three individuals about their experiences with virtual volunteerism alternatives during the suspension of Peace Corps assignments overseas. How can you "fill your bucket" when you are interacting virtually with your volunteer work? What are some the unique opportunities for RPCVs to get involved? We also get a special glimpse into the growing pilot program Peace Corps headquarters is administering, and gain insights into its...

Jobs with Jodi will focus on  spotlighting RPCV representatives from the Workplace Affiliate Groups (WAGs) within two Federal Agencies, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).  Featuring three special guests will share about their own career experiences, and how their WAG is organized to assist RPCVs. Special Guests: Sandra Wright-Fofanah, Global Health Specialist, Office of Director, CDC. An active member of the CDC ...

Interested in living and working internationally? One way to do so is to consider teaching abroad. This podcast episode focuses on the myriad of ways to teach internationally.  Whether through private international American schools or unique programs like the State Department's English Language Fellows program, there's a variety of options available which you'll learn more about from RPCVs who have done just that. Special guests include Jennifer Gonzales, RPCV/evacuee from Namibia, and...

Jobs with Jodi talks with two special guests about National Peace Corps Associations Community Fund-- — a grant award program which supports the continued service and global social impact of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers through grant awards and social impact capacity building opportunities. Specical Guests: Bethany Leech, International Programs Coordinator with NPCA, she shares insight on the Community Fund she manages. Meisha Robinson, RPCV, who was assisted by the Fund for her project...

Join us for our monthly Career Coach Q&A featuring a conversation between Career Services Specialist Jodi Hammer and fellow career consultant, Dr. Ronda Ansted.  This month we focused on the concept of change in the career world. Finding your path and moving toward a more rewarding and fulfilling career. 

Many people dream of living and working abroad. As a family, however, it can be a bit more complicated as relocating abroad generally requires an accompanying spouse to leave behind their own job or role in order to join their partner & relocate their family overseas.   In this podcast, we chat with a few RPCVs who have found success in different ways as trailing spouses after their partners accepted an overseas opportunity.  Our guests review advantages, fears, and how impactful working...

Dan Baker guest hosts this conversation with three incredible former leaders of Peace Corps' overseas operations. We discuss recruitment and career paths that lead to the three typical "direct hire" (expat) positions found at Peace Corps overseas posts: Country Director, Director of Management and Operations, and Director of Programming and Training.   Guests include: Yvonne Hubbard, Former Country Director and Current Peace Corps Senior Advisor for Overseas Staff RecruitmentCarla Ellis,...

Join us for our monthly Career Coach Q&A featuring a conversation between Career Services Specialist Jodi Hammer and fellow career consultant, Dr. Ronda Ansted. This month we focused on career decision making and how you know mentally, emotionally, and physically that you are in the right career-- or if it's time to change careers.   You don't have to settle for one career in your life time. Create a career path that can go from topic to topic if you can't decided which path to pick....

In this special podcast, New York State Senator Samra Brouk shares how her Peace Corps service has largely contributed in her successful political career. Senator Brouk shares her grounding in the skills, exposure, and mind-set that she gained from serving has led her to be uniquely successful in the realm of politics. Our other guest, is Emily Cherniack, founder and executive director of New Politics. An NGO which is dedicated to help, encourage, and prepare service-minded individuals to run...

In this podcast, we interview two RPCV leaders--Mary Owen-Thomas (RPCV The Philippines) and Venchele Saint Dic (RPCV Senegal)--on their collective experience serving on various Board of Directors, and the impact these commitments have had on their personal and professional development. Our special guests share about their distinct career trajectories and journeys to stepping into board positions, why they did it, and what they've learned from the experience.  They express the rewards and...

This special podcast is dedicated to the field of peacebuilding, featuring special guest, RPCV & Peace Activist Chic Dambach, [former] President and CEO of the Alliance for Peacebuilding, talking about his own journey to peacebuilding and offering tips for those who wish to follow in his footsteps. Chic Dambach, an anti-war activist and nominee for the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize, played a key role in bringing peace to Ethiopia and Eritrea, and will share from his wealth of experience on how...