Nowadays, the term "gap year" can be used to describe a new and exciting phenomenon: Students today are taking anywhere from a few weeks to a few years off after college to work in short-term jobs, internships, or community service programs.
And there are many reasons why that might be... Maybe some worked hard in college, and now want the opportunity to explore and figure out what they truly want. Other people are looking to work for a year before grad school or med school or law school. And for some people, this time serves to gain work experience or give back to the community and/or the world... And maybe even make a few new friends along the way:
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| "Us Jumbos gotta stick together!" |
Here is a very defined definition given on Spotlight on Careers (username: spotlightpass and password: liberalarts2017): A gap year experience is a purposeful full-time volunteer or paid opportunity to explore or gain life and/or work experience in a field before going into a full-time job, graduate, or professional program. A gap experience is not an excuse to do nothing, instead, this time should be spent intentionally exploring and preparing for what comes after.
Some gap experience programs that you might have already heard of include Teach for America, the Peace Corps, and teaching English abroad. This phenomenon has been going on for years, but recently the trend has sky-rocketed into oblivion as a new and cool thing to do.
These days, a gap experience can literally be anything you want it to be-- It can be a way to save money, a way to volunteer your time, an excuse to travel, move to another place, or stay home. You can have it in a box; you can have it with a fox! You can use it to chase your passions and master a trade you already know and love... Or learn something new and potentially discover new passions!
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| It's always good to try something new... |
We think so!
Gap Year Experiences give graduates an opportunity to learn more about themselves, their careers, and the world so that they can continue on their career paths to success. Whether or not a graduate had an opportunity to go abroad during their undergrad years, having a gap experience could be a great opportunity to travel to a new country and even learn a different language. And many times, your gap experience will make it clear as to whether or not you should pursue additional education, and if so, what type of additional education you should pursue!
The trick to having a successful gap experience is to have one deliberately. "Whatever you do, do it intentionally," says Spotlight on Careers. However you choose to spend your gap experience, be conscious of what you plan on giving and taking from it.
So where do you start? How can you find an organization that offers short-term work opportunities like fellowships, internships, and volunteer opportunities?
More resources are available to you on the Tufts Career Center website under Fellowships and Gap Year.
But we hope you can make it!
Best regards,
Until next time,
Nirvanna
