A gap year is your chance to take a lot of time out to figure out what you really want to do. It’s not the kind of luxury many people think is reserved for those with pots of money: only a very few out of the 230,000 18-24 year-olds taking a gap year could be classified as ‘rich’.
Your gap year gives you all sorts of options. You could travel the world, do volunteer work, or even get a paid job. Gap years (and career breaks) are amazing experiences – you’ll get the chance to see some fantastic locations, make lifelong friends and come back home with memories to treasure for a lifetime.
Gap years don’t have to be 365 days of being worthy. Yes, you could use that time to sharpen up your employability with some work (or life) experience, but you might just want to spend a year travelling, having the kind of holiday most adults would kill for … and letting off a little steam after so long in the classroom.
If you’re planning on going walkabout during your gap year, there are many companies who can put a travel package together for you. Obviously there’s going to be differences in price from package to package, but there’s always the option of taking a little time out and doing a spot of work to fill those coffers again. So do a bit of careful shopping around before you commit yourself to any travel package.
So many organisations all over the world are screaming out for a helping hand with their projects these days, so if you’re thinking of doing some travelling and doing some good at the same time, there’s always volunteer work. Even though you’re volunteering your time and your skills, you’re still expected to pay for your travelling expenses, though. But don’t let that put you off: there are many sources of funding out there, from national companies to local business organisations.
But then again, you don’t have to travel anywhere during your gap year. You could just pick yourself up a local job, just for the work experience – and the chance to build yourself up a little financial nest-egg for later on. All in all, a gap year is your chance to distance yourself from things for a while, get your head clear and come back again with lots more energy, refreshed and with a much better idea of where you’re heading in life.
Another benefit of a gap year is the fact that universities and employers are beginning to understand the value of taking time out on a gap year. Employers understand that gap years offer young people a chance to strengthen their “soft skills,” such as: decision making, communication, teamwork, decision making and many others and the kind of experiences you will have will really enhance your CV and help you to stand out from the crowd.
To get more about gap years – and everything you’ll need to know on choosing the right career choice and getting the best training for that career, like an apprenticeship. Visit notgoingtouni.co.uk, the country’s leading site for everyone who want to kickstart their careers without having to kick their heels at university for years.
