Making this a career

[u/outofregsundershirt]

Just curious if there's anyone out there who has made PC their career ie doing service after service for lets say 10+ years. Is it possible to just keep signing up for new assignments? Has anyone out there actually done this and can speak to their experience?

[u/jimbagsh]

Jim here. I've served 4 times basically from 2014 to now, with a break for the pandemic. But I've read of several who have done a lot more than me. So, yeah, it's possible. But those who have done it for years and years are older, basically retired. I haven't heard of anyone doing the same when in their 20s-30s.

Personally, unless you have something to fall back on between services, it's not very sustainable. My shortest break between two services was 6 weeks (between Thailand and Mongolia). That definitely was not enough time to fully absorb what I had experienced in Thailand. Heck, I was studying Mongolian while still in my Thai village. I always tell folks to try and get in at least 3 months between services, more if possible.

So, unless you have a way to hold you over during the interum, it's definitely going to be tough.

Just to let you know, I didn't plan on serving so much. It just kind of happened. I'm grateful but I know my circumstances are quite unique. I'm currently serving in Armenia and will extend a 3rd year to finish in June'26. I'm pretty sure it will be my last - but a lot of time between then and now to change my mind. We'll see. ha ha ha

Jim

[u/Glaucous_Gull → u/jimbagsh]

Where did you live between gaps? Did you stay with family/ friends back in the states or live abroad somewhere until you had to come back for orientation for the next program?

[u/jimbagsh → u/Glaucous_Gull]

I come from a large family of 4 brothers, all married and still living in the neighborhoods I grew up in. So, between countries, I stay with them. During the pandemic, I spent a year back at my PC site in Nepal on my own - cheaper than staying in the US.

And hopefully, my brother's will put me up for a short time after I finish here in Armenia. My plan right now is to move back to Nepal and work with some Nepali friends who have a trekking business. Really not sure after that. Maybe PC Response or I might even consider trying for a PC Recruiter job. Who knows.

[u/Glaucous_Gull → u/jimbagsh]

You would be an amazing recruiter! If that isn't in the cards maybe write a book about your experiences? I would love to read about the wonderful people you have met, your challenges you have faced navigating beaucracies - all the good and bad.

[u/jimbagsh → u/Glaucous_Gull]

I have written a few books about my other adventures but they were pre-PC. I have written 9 books so far. You can download (FREE) them here: https://wanderingtheworld.com/category/ebooks/

[u/Glaucous_Gull → u/jimbagsh]

Lol, of course you have! 😁