On Tuesday, October 17th, 80 students, faculty, and staff members attended a question-and-answer style presentation from Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn. Topics included the application process, the benefits of serving in the Peace Corps, what kind of jobs are available, and much more.
The Peace Corps, created in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, is a United States volunteer organization that aims to assist developing countries by providing skilled workers in fields such as education, health, entrepreneurship, and community development.
Carol Spahn brings more than 25 years of public and private sector experience and has worked in countries around the world on issues ranging from small business development and infectious disease prevention to women’s empowerment. She most recently served as the Peace Corps’ chief executive officer and, prior to that, as acting director.
Also participating were current Peace Corps volunteer Christopher Fairchild, and a returned Peace Corps volunteer, Courtney Ray Goodson. Fairchild is a proud Texas State alum, graduating with a degree in economics and a minor in business administration in December 2022. He is currently serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Colombia. As a volunteer, he is teaching at the SENA (or technical trade school) and coaching baseball and other sports. Soon he will begin teaching his own classes at the local college as well. Courtney Ray Goodson holds a BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. A returned Peace Corps Volunteer (she served as a Business Volunteer in Fiji from 2009-2011), Goodson now a part of the Texas State University Small Business Development Center, a Small Business Administration (SBA) sponsored organization that fosters small business growth.
After the Q&A, there were snacks and refreshments that attendees enjoyed while having informal conversation with the panelists and other Peace Corps volunteers and recruiters that were in attendance.
