Intention To Conduct a Survey of and Focus Groups With Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

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	Discussion Guide: Focus Groups With Returned Peace Corps Volunteers In The Private Sector
Introduction	Facilitator introduction. I am a discussion group leader.  I travel around and lead discussions about a variety of topics. I am not with the Peace Corps but I have been contracted by the Peace Corps to help them better understand the effect of Peace Corps Service on your careers. As returned Volunteers YOU are the experts.   I tape record and video the sessions so that others can learn from your comments. These recordings are strictly for my use to write the report and for internal use by the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps is at the start of a concerted effort to collect information from RPCVs, and the data you provide today will add to the Agency’s knowledge of the long-term impact of Peace Corps service. Also, since I do record the sessions, I have a few rules. You can't all talk at the same time, you can't whisper and you can't be a table tapper. Besides that, I have very few rules and I am anxious to hear what you have to say. Let's start with introductions.... Have each respondent introduce themselves Country of Peace Corps service, years of service, sector Current job and organization
SELF ADMINISTERED See attached sheet	Where you have space on your info sheet for Question One, please answer this question: What was the primary reason that you joined the Peace Corps? And please explain on the few lines that you have there.
Initial Exposure	At what point in your life did you start thinking about joining Peace Corps? What, or who, was the trigger for your interest?
Career Choice	Did your Peace Corps experience influence your educational  path, which then influenced your career path? How, if at all, does your Peace Corps service relate to your current position? Did you use any of the career services offered by the Peace Corps? What effect did they have on your career path? Did you use the non-competitive eligibility you received based on your Peace Corps service during your job search? Was it useful? If not used, why not? Do you think your current career choice was influenced by your Peace Corps service? Did your Peace Corps experience have any influence on where you located? Did your career choice influence you to join the Peace Corps? Did anyone ever suggest to you that you should consider the Peace Corps to enhance your credentials or qualifications for your career? How have you used the skills or experiences you gained as a Volunteer in your career? How has being a Volunteer influenced your career?
SELF ADMINISTERED See attached sheet	Where you have space on your info sheet for Question Two, please comment on if you view your current work or overall career as having been “service work.”
Career Development	Do you think you would have chosen this type of work anyway, prior to your Peace Corps experience? Were you interested in service work before you joined the Peace Corps? Did the Peace Corps “change” you with respect to what type of career you wanted? Did your Peace Corps service change your perception of your professional skills and strengths?
	Did the Peace Corps make you more marketable for the job(s) you sought? Do employers, potential employers or co workers generally know that you are an RPCV? What effect do you think that information has on your marketability and/or career mobility? Was increased marketability a motivation to join the Peace Corps? Ask only if not covered above
	Has your Peace Corps experience influenced the professional organizations or activities that you are involved in? Are you involved in any RPCV networks that focus on professional development?
	Overall, how has your Peace Corps experience influenced your career path or development? Helped? Hindered? Influenced which career path you took? How has your Peace Corps experience affected your job performance or how well you are able to do your job?

Respondent Information Sheet

If you served more than one tour, please respond to these questions based on your first tour.

 What year was your first year of service for the Peace Corps?

YEAR: ___________

 In what region(s) were you assigned?

• Africa

• Europe, the Mediterranean and Asia (EMA)

• Inter-America and the Pacific (IAP)

QUESTIONS ONE AND TWO WILL BE READ TO YOU

DURING THE DISCUSSION.

 Question One:

 Question Two:

PC- 912 (07/2009)