Youth Development Sector

Empower the next generation of changemakers. Volunteers work with youth in communities on projects that promote engagement and active citizenship, including gender awareness, employability, health and HIV/AIDS education, environmental awareness, sporting programs, and info technology.

Training and Experience for the Youth Development Sector

Leveraging concrete knowledge and skills is central to on-the-ground international development work. Through this PC Prep program, you will begin to build a professional specialty, which should serve your career well whether or not you become a Peace Corps Volunteer.

For PC Prep, you need to complete at least 3 courses that align with a specific work sector (they can but do not need to come from your academic major or minor). You also must accumulate a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer or work experience in that same sector, preferably in a teaching or outreach capacity.

If you choose Youth in Development, take 3 courses from one of the following areas:

1. Social Work

2. Counseling

3. Community Development

4. Developmental Psychology

5. Human Development

6. Family Studies

Recommended courses include (if there is another course in the catalog that you feel meets this requirement, please discuss it with your PC Prep Coordinator):

• CNSL 1000: Relationship Skills

• WMST 2500: Gender and Society

• SOWK 2000: Intro to Social Work

• FCSC 3220: Multicultural Influences on Children and Families

• PSYC 2300: Developmental Psychology

• CNSL 2200: Introduction to Student Leadership

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

• Teaching or counseling in at-risk youth programs

• Activities that involve planning, organizing, assessing community needs, counseling, and leadership, in areas such as education, youth development, health and HIV/AIDS, the environment, and/or business

• Participate in UW collegiate 4H programs

• Volunteer or intern with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, or ARK disability program

• Have an AmeriCorps setting in a related environment

Read the Peace Corps Prep Student Guide for more information or to answer any questions.