Peace Corps holds first recruitment meeting in St. George history

Image: Peace Corps

Written by Don Gilman

A world of adventure awaits the seeker. There are destinations abroad with a vast diversity of peoples and cultures waiting to be discovered. For over fifty years, the Peace Corps has been recruiting and sending thousands of America’s brightest and most dedicated citizens to all corners of the globe to experience adventure and hard work while immersed in a completely foreign culture. However, even given this long history, the Peace Corps will be hosting its first St. George recruitment meeting on Wednesday, June 24, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Starbucks on Redcliffs Drive.

Steve Price, who will be leading the coffee chat with fellow recruiter Jason Steele, knows firsthand about the experiences the Peace Corps can bring. As a former volunteer, he spent his 51st birthday in the jungles of Suriname. Now he is a field-based recruiter and the sole employee for the Peace Corps in Utah.

“We’re trying to find college educated citizens interested in volunteering,” Price said. “We’re looking for individuals who are qualified and have a passion for service.”

The Peace Corps was founded in 1961, shortly after soon-to-be President Kennedy challenged students at Michigan State University to seek out the furthest corners of the earth in which to live and work. Since then, the Peace Corps has had nearly 220,000 people serve in the half-century of its existence, and 140 countries have benefited from hosting the Peace Corps.

The stated goal of the Peace Corps is sending “the best and brightest Americans abroad on behalf of the United States to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world.” Service is open to anyone over the age of 18 who has a four-year degree; however, a degree plus experience in a relevant field of work is what most recruiters look for. Because members are typically serving in developing countries, these relevant fields could be anything from carpentry and plumbing to medicine and farming. Price said that knowing a second language is also very important. Few make the cut, but those that do are sent into the wider world for a 27-month adventure.

Price said that recruitment and applications are soaring at present. During the last year, the Peace Corps received more applications nationwide than for any other single year in the last 28 years. Price said he believes part of this is due to the changes in policy and the streamlining of the application process.

“As of July 2014, the applicant [during the application process] gets to choose the country and type of work they get to do,” Price said. “A couple can apply and they do not have to be married or even heterosexual. Diversity has become very important to the Peace Corps.”

Part of the draw for the Peace Corps in St. George is the presence of Dixie State University and its pool of educated soon-to-be graduates.

“We want to get out in front of quality applicants,” Price said. “Most juniors and seniors at Dixie are considered quality applicants. We’re looking for 80-100 people on lead sheets for the entire trip.”

Another unique aspect of the Peace Corps is that there is no upper limit on age. The oldest Peace Corps volunteer is 84 and is serving in China. Currently 7 percent of all volunteers are over the age of 50, and the Corps is actively recruiting older candidates for their experience and knowledge. Price said that part of the reason for his trip to St. George for the recruitment meeting on Wednesday is to target some senior organizations for the next meeting.

“We are going to plan a 50-plus event,” Price said.

In addition to the experience and cultural enrichment, Price said one further benefit of the Peace Corps is cost. From the moment the volunteer leaves the country until they return, nothing is paid for out of pocket.

“Everything is paid for,” Price said. “That’s something no other volunteer organization can do.”

Price is the first full-time recruiter for the State of Utah. He has lived all over the world, but recently relocated to Salt Lake City. He has a special affinity for Utah, and feels a strong connection with the southern part of the state. He said he plans on making regular visits to the area.

“Our main objective is to create relationships,” Price said.

For more information about the recruitment event or the Peace Corps in general, contact Steve Price at (801) 529-7885.

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