by Niki Acton '16

While serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic, Laura Thompson '13 worked on projects that included building a well, educating youth about health and sexuality, and empowering young girls.

Thompson shared her experience with current students at Work That Matters: Engaging the World after Knox, a conference that brought alumni and other professionals to campus to share the many ways students are able to pursue meaningful work after graduating.

The conference is an annual event that includes panel discussions and presentations from alumni and others. In addition to Thompson, representatives from City Year, ISACorps, and the U.S. Department of State gave presentations about opportunities available at their respective organizations.

Thompson, who majored in Spanish and minored in Gender and Women's Studies and Anthropology/Sociology while at Knox, taked about her experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer and the transition back to the U.S. after her service.

"I think you leave Knox thinking that you know a lot about what's right and wrong, and so far I've been learning that I know less and less" said Thompson. "Now I'm interested in working with culture shock, such as students studying abroad or refugees coming the U.S."

Many students at the event were interested in pursuing Peace Corps after graduating from Knox, including Vicki Martin '17.

"I've considered the Peace Corps," said Martin, who is a double major in Spanish and international relations. "I wanted to hear from an alum who's been through the program."

Martin's interest in the Peace Corps stems, in part, from her participation in the Buenos Aires program in the fall of 2014 and the fall of 2015.

"It was really interesting to learn about the Peace Corps from the Argentine perspective," said Martin. "My Spanish improved astronomically and I got to meet lot of amazing new people."

The Peace Corps Preparatory Program at Knox College was the first in the nation to be officially endorsed by the Peace Corps. The program includes coursework and experiential learning that helps students fulfill requirements in all six sectors: education, health, environment, agriculture, youth in development, and community economic development.

The Peace Corps recently ranked Knox #14 on their list of the nation's top volunteer-producing colleges, and the high percentage of Knox alumni serving in the Peace Corps was among the criteria used by Washington Monthly when it recognized Knox as one of the nation's top 25 liberal arts colleges.