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Leavey School of Business Santa Clara University

2019-20

Year of Service Alumni Spotlight: Anthony Hascheff

We asked SCU alum Anthony Hascheff about his Year of Service experience.
Anthony Hascheff is a 2015 Finance alum who spent two years with the Peace Corps. He currently is pursuing a Master's in Public Administration from Columbia University. We had the chance to ask Anthony about his experience.
 
Why did you decide to take time off to work with Peace Corps?
I didn't necessarily take time off to do the Peace Corps. It was essentially a career move. It was what I decided to do post-graduation. But I decided on the Peace Corps largely due to experiences I had at SCU. The immersion programs helped me fall in love with service and then interning with Irene Cermeno and the Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative solidified my interest in community development.
 
What was your role at your placement?
I was to work on three things while in the Peace Corps: entrepreneurship, business development and community engagement. I taught an open course at a local university on how to construct a business plan and helped several aspiring entrepreneurs make their businesses a reality. I also assisted existing businesses on best practices. Finally, I founded a youth leadership organization to create the future leaders of tomorrow. This last work I loved the most.
 
Could you share some of your highlights and low lights working with Peace Corps?
Highlight: completing construction of a full basketball court in my tiny community. I worked with an American NGO over 6 months planning a construction project between my community and group of American high-school volunteers. The group arrived and stayed for a week. We built the court together but moreover they experienced Paraguayan culture through homestays and cultural activities. It's something that neither my community nor the American volunteers will ever forget. Low: the Peace Corps can be a very lonesome job. You have to have strong emotional maturity and find ways to stay productive and active.

Who should consider doing a Year of Service?
EVERYONE should consider doing a year of service. We all think that we have to get ahead in our careers and start working now when it is simply not true. Doing service over a long period of time provides you tremendous perspective and allows you to get to know yourself better. It humbles you. It sharpens your focus on what is truly important and what you want to do in this life. I couldn't recommend it more.


What are you doing now?  Did your experience with Peace Corps help with what you are doing now?
I am currently pursuing a Master's in Public Administration from Columbia University in New York City. The Peace Corps definitely helped me get into a top tier school.
 
Anything else you would like to share?
GET INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE ACTIVITIES AT SCU! Everyone should do it. Doesn't matter your major, your interests, nor your extra-curricular activities. It's cool to pursue worthwhile objectives.
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