Returned Peace Corps Volunteers can be found in almost all of the Department of Agriculture’s 18 agencies. Some RPCVs are just beginning their careers while others have been with the USDA for decades and are considering ways to serve in their retirement. All of these employees share a sense of pride in their Peace Corps service and now their service to the American people in the areas of agriculture, nutrition, rural development and the environment.
Each year, after completing 27 months of service abroad tackling the most pressing challenges of our generation, hundreds of Peace Corps volunteers return home to the U.S. inspired to translate the valuable skills that they have gained into meaningful careers. For many, a career in public service offers this opportunity and so they pursue positions with one of the federal government agencies.
To foster this connection, a small group of USDA employees established the RPCVs & Friends at USDA Employee Resource Group (formerly called affinity group) in June 2016 with three main objectives:
- To champion a lifelong commitment to national service ideals,
- Facilitate communication and foster a sense of community amongst and between RPCVs and other employees through social events and opportunities, and
- To provide an information-sharing tool for employees worldwide who are interested in the work of RPCVs and their colleagues at USDA.
These objectives were designed to specifically support and further the three goals of the Peace Corps Mission: To promote world peace and friendship by (1) helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained Volunteers, (2) promoting a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served and (3) promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
For more information, membership or participation, send an email to [email protected].