There are many compelling reasons to take time after high school or after a college/university degree program is done, to take a breath and find adventure. You’ve heard it called the “Gap Year.”
Here are a few reasons:
Graduates can:
-create their own life and choices for a year;
-develop greater maturity, confidence, independence, and life skills;
-become more compelling college and job candidates;
-gain space from their academic process, and as a result may feel a greater appreciation for further education;
-take a breath from work or studies to gain a clearer perspective about what they want in life;
-develop interpersonal skills while meeting and working with people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures;
-become more self-reliant;
-learn to manage a budget with savvy and prudence;
-gain experience outside the work environment that can lend a fresh outlook;
-add new tools to their skill set, such as communication skills, a broader social perspective, a degree of independent thinking;
-experience long hours and hard work for low pay (in many situations), and appreciate how important and impactful a university degree can have on livelihood;
-develop a valuable competency, such as learning a language;
-create expertise in a specialized area of their profession;
-and, discover a new business opportunity.
Everyone has a unique educational journey and life. Many students don’t feel “ready” emotionally to begin post-secondary education straight out of high school. And many college and university graduates aren’t ready to make a mark in the workforce immediately following convocation.
A Gap Year may be the perfect option for the near future.
Get started with online research about Gap Year options: here and here and here. Take your time – there are tons of opportunities. The internet has endless suggestions!
Internships, volunteer work, paid employment will all contribute to a resume for graduates — and grads can combine any of the three over a year or so. Then after all the work is done, go backpack your favourite destinations!
This is a blank canvas!
Have fun with the possibilities!