I've been a local beat reporter for a weekly newspaper for about two years now, and while I've loved the experience it's given me, I've been thinking more and more about doing a two-year term in the
Peace Corps.
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I'm concerned, though, that after two years of not writing, I won't be able to return to a journalism job, as all my clips will be old, and I'll have been out of the game for quite a while.
On the other hand, such a move might give me international experience, as well as fluency in another language, which could well be an asset. Which of these two possibilities do you think has more weight? Thank you for your time.
C
I have known a number of journalists who have been through the Peace Corps, and they have been able to re-enter journalism, though there can be some difficulty.
There is a larger question, though.
How important is it to you to dedicate two years of your life to this worthy service? If it is very important, if the time is ripe and if you think you will have big regrets if you do not do this, go for it. But if the Peace Corps is not really important to you, you might be better off sticking with the career.
So, while career considerations are important, the larger question has everything to do with how important joining the Peace Corps is to you.
To read past Ask the Recruiter columns dealing with this issue, see the links below:
Peace Corps, or Newspaper Job?Peace Corps to Journalism?
Coming Friday: This mid-career reporter in Washington, D.C., is almost always worried about the future of the business.
