Community Economic Development

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Harness 21st-century tools to help communities lift themselves. Volunteers work with development banks, nongovernmental organizations, and municipalities to strengthen infrastructure and encourage economic opportunities in communities. They frequently teach in classroom settings and work with entrepreneurs and business owners to develop and market their products. Some Volunteers also teach basic computer skills and help communities take advantage of technologies such as e-commerce, distance learning, and more.

Visit What Volunteers Do | Community Economic Development on the Peace Corps site, for more information.

If you choose Community Economic Development, take 3 courses (9 credit hours) from one of the following areas:

  • Accounting
  • Agribusiness
  • Banking
  • Business Administration
  • Communications
  • Computer Science
  • Criminal Justice
  • Entrepreneurism
  • Finance
  • Graphic Design
  • International Business
  • Journalism
  • Marketing
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Political Science
  • Public Administration
  • Public Policy
  • Sociology
  • Other (as approved)

And build 50 hours of related field experience through an activity such as:

  • Complete an approved internship in the areas of community development, education, outreach, and communication
  • Complete an approved community development program as required by your degree program
  • Complete a community or economic development-focused study abroad experience
  • Serve as a peer mentor through the Enhanced Learning Center
  • Serve as a volunteer at any community health provider specializing in free community services
  • Serve as a volunteer for a planning, organizing, conducting a large community event based in community development
  • Starting and running your own business or other entrepreneurial activity
  • Training others in computer literacy, maintenance, and repair
  • Volunteer at a local community farm or food relief agency
  • Volunteer for a Public School System Community School and outreach program
  • Volunteer at the Full Circle Food Pantry
  • Volunteer for the Ozark Literary Council
  • Website design or online marketing
  • Working with businesses, organizations, or cooperatives in accounting, finance, microfinance, management, project management, budgeting, or marketing
  • Other related activity coordinated by the Volunteer Action Center and approved in advance by the PC Prep coordinator/advisor

The applicant must provide verifiable evidence of this activity. This may include a Service Transcript from the Volunteer Action Center or from the agency where the volunteer action occurred.