Peace Corps Community Economic Development Program Guide

Harness 21st-century tools to help communities lift themselves. Volunteers work with development banks, nongovernmental organizations, and municipalities to strengthen infrastructure and encourage economic opportunities in communities. They frequently teach in classroom settings and work with entrepreneurs and business owners to develop and market their products. Some Volunteers also teach basic computer skills and help communities take advantage of technologies such as e-commerce, distance learning, and more.

If you choose Community Economic Development, take three courses from one of the following areas:

• Business or Public Administration
• Nonprofit Management
• Accounting, Banking or Finance
• Computer Science and related majors
• Graphic Design
• Communications Studies
• Entrepreneurship
• International Business

Recommended courses:

• GOV 391 International Relations (3)
• ECO 201 Introduction to Microeconomics (3) or ECO 205 Introduction to Economics (3)
• SOC 313 Work and Globalization (3)
• DST 204 Deaf Culture
• DST 311 Dynamics of Oppression (3)
• SOC 225 Sociology of Deafness and Deaf People (3)

And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:

• Working with businesses, organizations, or cooperatives in accounting, finance, microfinance, management, project management, budgeting, or marketing
• Starting and running your own business or other entrepreneurial activity
• Training others in computer literacy, maintenance, and repair
• Website design or online marketing
• Founding or leading a community- or school-based organization

Peace Corps Tip

Nearly two-thirds of Peace Corps Volunteers serve in Education or Health. Coursework and meaningful experience in one of these areas-especially teaching English as a second/foreign language-produce some of the strongest candidates.