College can be an extremely stressful time, especially since you’re expected to figure out what career you want for the rest of your life in only four short years. But what happens when graduation is right around the corner and you’re still as clueless as you were your freshman year?
Going directly into the workforce or graduate school sometimes can seem like the only options for recent college graduates. But, in reality, there is an equally valuable third option — a gap year.
According to the Princeton Review, “A gap year is a year spent taking time off between life stages.” Gap years can occur during any stage of life, but they are becoming increasingly popular with both recent high school and college graduates, and for good reason. Gap years can give recent college graduates new experiences, inspire future career goals and can make them more hirable.
There are many options for what students can do during their gap year, including volunteering, interning or traveling. And according to a survey conducted by Milkround, “88 percent of graduates reported that their gap year had significantly added to their employability.”
Programs such as Go Overseas give recent college grads numerous options to find job, volunteer and travel opportunities around the world. These options can include joining the Peace Corps, traveling with BUNAC or serving with United Planet which can result in learning work and life skills, gaining a sense of purpose, and also improving one’s resume.
Volunteering during a gap year can also give you an edge when applying for jobs in the future. According to a survey by LinkedIn, one in five hiring managers in the U.S. said they have hired a candidate because of their volunteer work. LinkedIn also states that “Volunteering can increase a person’s social connections and professional contacts (social capital) and skills and experiences (human capital), both of which are extremely important in our careers.”
Interning is also a good way to spend your gap year if you are still questioning what career path to take or in preparation for graduate school. Such is the case for Allie Whitacre, a fourth-year studying animal science, whose postgraduation plans include continuing to work at an animal hospital until she applies for veterinary school.
“I’m currently just planning on taking a year to continue working at my current job and gain experience,” Whitacre said. “I want to take a gap year because I want to be absolutely ready before I take on vet school rather than go before I’m ready.”
Finally, another good reason to take a gap year is for your own mental health. It is completely possible to not be mentally ready to enter a 40 hour a week schedule immediately after graduation, and that’s OK. Mental health problems are increasing among college students, according to NBC News, and it’s no wonder with all the stress and anxiety of the unknown quickly approaching future. Your body and mind may just need to take a well-deserved break.
It may seem like everyone around you has plans for after graduation, but taking a gap year is just as valid an option. Regardless of your motivation to take a gap year, as long as you are making the most of your time, you are spending it correctly. Whether it be an internship, part-time job, volunteer work or simply a vacation, deciding to take a gap year may be the appropriate decision for your life path.
