Meredith Mahy Gall is a University of Iowa Peace Corps Recruiter and is sharing what she loves about recruiting at UIowa.

What inspired you to take the career path you did?

I am passionate about helping young people to grow personally and professionally. Studying abroad in high school and college helped me not only learn so much about the world, but also about myself. I enjoy helping others to have these life-changing, cross-cultural experiences. I am also fascinated by career paths and find it rewarding to work with college students as they develop and then achieve their career and post-graduation goals.

What is your favorite part about recruiting at the University of Iowa?

I really enjoy meeting many amazing UI students and helping them on their path to becoming Peace Corps volunteers. It is great to see students’ faces light up when they realize that Peace Corps is a perfect fit for their personal and career goals and then getting their emails telling me they have received their invitation to serve.

What are the top three things you look for in job candidates?

Adaptability, resourcefulness, and ability to work/communicate with people from all different types of backgrounds.

What is the best thing a student can do to prepare him or herself for their future career?

I recommend gaining some practical experience by interning , volunteering and/or job-shadowing related to your future career field. Practical experience will not only show a commitment to the field and make you more competitive in the job search, but it may also help you solidify or modify your career interests.