MY PO INTERVIEW!

I promised I would update after my interview so here goes...

I just got off the phone with my placement officer in the environmental desk. The conversation lasted about 40 minutes, mainly longer than proposed because I tend to ramble when I am nervous. I also tell stories, which is probably annoying. ANYWAYS, I was asked a few of the same questions that I was in my initial interview. For example, "How will you cope without access to communication with home?, What are your expectations regarding distance from other volunteers?, What would keep you from finishing your service commitment?, What is your regional preference and why? Are you flexible to change jobs? What are your safety concerns? How is your family coping? What are you doing to prepare?" This last one made me feel pretty bad about working 55 hour weeks and not getting environmental experience. My answers to these questions were compared to my original interview responses, which was actually pretty enlightening. I think I have grown mentally over this process and really am more concrete on my desire to serve. I also have a much better understanding on what to expect, mainly from reading so many books and PCJournals over the last 5 months.

I was not feeling confident and felt nervous to the point of feeling sick while I was waiting for the call. I did ok though and think I spoke with confidence. I could not read the expressions of my PO, she was very hard to figure out. She did go into detail for me regarding safety, specifically evacuations, which was helpful information. I was relieved to hear how organized PC is on this point.

SO THE VERDICT IS... My PO does not think I strictly qualify for my nominated sector, environmental education, but that I clearly have extensive health and community/youth development skills. I also have SPANISH skills which I didn't even mention because I thought it was a useless and annoying attempt to get placed in C/S America. I have read how competitive this region is, and I figure many people have similar skills to my own. It was such a relief to hear that they were trying to get me into my top region! I want to speak fluently so badly and I really have the most international experience these days with my Mexican chefs at my work. I adore them and try to only speak Spanish to them whenever possible. They sometimes laugh at me but it's ok. I understand most of what they say although the vulgar words were not taught in my school, so sometimes I am lost. Sorry, random tangent again.

So my PO said she didn't think I qualified for strictly environmental sector ... I got pretty worried. I thought oh no she is going to pass me off to some other department into a stack of countless others and I will have to start this all over! I was wrong. She said her colleague is out sick, but that he does placement for the community and youth development programs, including one such program with an environmental education focus. Supposedly this placement is more generalist, but it will have very similar duties to environmental educators. This program is leaving late April for Central/South America. According to wiki, this country is PANAMA! If this other PO thinks I fit, and I got confirmation that there are spots available, I will be invited in the next week! My PO said she does think I am competitive for this program and will be emailing me tomorrow or Wednesday. She also gave me her personal line to call if I don't hear by Wednesday. WHAT!? Personal phone number from placement... I am impressed!

So that is Plan A. I would be so happy I could cry. However, there is a Plan B. This option is if this other placement specialist does not think I am a good match for his April departure (Panama) program. In this case my PO is willing to consider me for a community and youth development placement with a counseling component working with at-risk youth. I am a bit less enthusiastic about this placement, but not totally opposed. I recently applied for an internship with Outward Bound doing at-risk youth work and was denied due to my lack of experience. I agreed that I probably was not ready to the intensity that program required. However, it would be interesting to use my counseling and psychology background in Peace Corps. I just think that working with youth takes a very very special type of person. I love teaching, but when it comes to difficult youth, I prefer them to be the exception in my class, not the majority. All children need love and guidance, but I don't pretend to be able to relate instantly with children who are suffering in a developing country. Their challenges far outweigh anything I have experience and feel very blessed. I just want to be in a position to help. We will see what happens.

God/fate/nature/Allah/ or whoever you pray to has a plan for all of us. I just hope that the big man or woman upstairs only gives me a burden I am capable of handling. I want to do good in the world and learn as much as possible in this life. I am very hopeful and happy in this moment contemplating all of this and I have a renewed sense of patience.

Thank you to all who follow! Good luck to all of you!

Best Always,
Natalie