Chapter 5: Under Qualified For Mexico?

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I never thought that there would be a IT position in the PC that I may be under qualified for. Most of the IT projects I have heard about involve basic computer maintenance and education, and the most complicated ones are setting up databases and writing some simple software. No problem. I can do that in my sleep. But get a load of this excerpt from a PC newsletter describing the current volunteers serving in Mexico.

"The median age of our PCVs in Mexico is 45, with an average work experience of 15 to 20 years. Most have either MAs or PhDs. " - RPCV Newsletter 2006

I am 26, with barely ten years of experience (if you count college). And definitely no Masters or PhD (even though Prof. Ray does have a nice ring to it).

So basically what it comes down to is a numbers game. While I may not be middle aged with two decades of work experience behind me, honestly, how many people can I be competing with for these positions? A person with a B.S. in Engineering and extensive software development experience definitely is not the typical PC applicant.

On the flipside, going to Mexico would almost feel like a cheating. I will probably have a nice apartment with electricity, running water, air-conditioning and even DSL internet. I will also not be sent out, and make close friendships with a group of people my age.

Well, I guess I've decided to roll with it. They warn you when you apply to the PC, that it will probably not be like you expect. So if I get sent to Mexico, fine, if I don't make this program and get sent somewhere else, also fine. I'll leave this one up to the roll of the dice. Isn't that what doing something as "crazy" as the Peace Corps is all about? :)

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