Online college degree resource

Do you have an associate degree, a skill or work experience, and an interest in the Peace Corps? Heads up: You're being recruited.

The Peace Corps and the American Association of Community Colleges have joined forces , to attract qualified community-college graduates whose skills are requested by developing countries. These sought-after skills are applied in Peace Corps assignments such as demonstrating sustainable agriculture and helping to set up dean-water systems. About 7,500 volunteers currently serve in 71 countries.

Since its inception in 1961, the Peace Corps has recognized the value of skills and work experience when recruiting volunteers. Experience--either paid or unpaid--can be paired with postsecondary training to qualify some applicants. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and be U.S. citizens.

The Peace Corps service commitment is 2 years, plus a few months of training. Completion of service provides educational, financial, personal, and professional benefits-including preparation for some of the fastest growing occupations in the United States: BLS projects that between 2002 and 2012, many occupations that usually require an associate degree will grow significantly faster than the average for art occupations.

To learn more about the recruitment program for graduates who have an associate degree, contact the Peace Corps regional office nearest you (check the Federal Government pages of the telephone book); call toll free, 1 (800) 424-8580; write Peace Corps Headquarters, 1111 20th Street NW., Washington, DC 20526; or visit online, www.peacecorps.gov/ index.cfm?shell=learn.whovol.collegestu.associate.