PEACE CORPS IN THE 21 ST CENTURY: A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

57great advantage. The Wall Street Journal reports that the organization is selling itself notfor the volunteering benefits, but for what the volunteer will have when he or shecompletes service. They state that the Peace Corps, “is tailoring its message toemphasize benefits like foreign-language and skills training, a payment of about $6,000at the end of a stint, international experience. . . . Recruiters also talk up long-termbenefits like a leg up in landing a government job.” 109This recruitment strategy is nolonger based on civic duty or a philanthropic urge. Americans respond to the postservicebenefit package, which sounds more like a sales pitch for military service than fora volunteer position.Not only does the Peace Corps use post-service benefits for recruitment, it alsosells the in-service advantages of volunteering. They offer “full medical coverage andthe seven weeks of vacation that volunteers can use for travel abroad. Volunteers alsoreceive a no-fee passport and a monthly stipend of a few hundred dollars to pay for food,housing and local transportation.” 110Traditionally, volunteers have a college education and little work experience. Asthe market for college graduates becomes more competitive, the Peace Corps appeals tothe uncertainties of life after college. As noted above, many more college students areopting to “take time off” between college and the job force: still others have earneddegrees that do not translate directly into a skill like farming, IT, or business. Therefore,the organization has begun to appeal to that ambiguity. The following is taken from thePeace Corps web site addressing the college graduate:Many applicants are concerned that their specific major or field of study does notmatch up directly to any Peace Corps program. Don't worry! Many Peace Corps