PEACE CORPS IN THE 21 ST CENTURY: A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

64The other major recruitment tools used are the “volunteer profiles” written aboutPeace Corps volunteers of color. These are short volunteer statements that address mostof the concerns analyzed above. For example, the issue of making money after college isa concern for many potential volunteers and families. A quotation by Peter Arellanes, aMexican-American volunteer sums up the issue stating, “A lot of people won't considerjoining the Peace Corps because they don't want to sacrifice two years of income, but Inever had to take an entry-level job when I got back. Professionally, it can do nothing buthelp you.” 124Likewise, volunteer experiences, such as the one of Behzad Roohi, anIranian-American, focus on the similarities between immigrants and people in theunderdeveloped world, “I have been able to apply my life experiences as an immigrant tomy work. My own family members had to go through challenges similar to people inrural areas here. I use these stories – the issues we faced and overcame – about myfamily and me as an example.” 125Finally, Azikiwe Chandler, an African-Americanvolunteering in Nicaragua states, “The high school director is thrilled to have me workinghere. She appreciates Peace Corps Volunteers of any kind who come and help, but sherealizes how beneficial it is for black children to have black role models. I've made adifference in their lives, and I'm really proud of that.” 126Volunteer accounts such as thisone, focus on experiences that are particular to ethnicity and multiculturalism. Thesequotations beautifully describe the exact message that the organization wants tocommunicate. The strategy of using actual volunteers to make the argument for thePeace Corps further strengthens recruitment efforts.