A gap year can be an important breather with the chance to gain some exciting life experiences and think about what comes next. For some it is a planned stepping-stone along their career path, for others it is a last minute decision that proves life-changing, as Lily Eastwood explains.
Getting work experience
For some people, a gap year is the perfect opportunity to gain experience in a career area they already feel passionate about.
You can even combine travel with work experience. Occupational therapist Sara went to work in an orphanage in Malaysia before going on to her degree.
Taking a step back
If you are feeling unsure or pressured, a gap year can provide the perfect opportunity to consider your options. “I found that I was being pushed to use my degree to get a good, safe job in the City,” says TV producer Tim. After nine months travelling, he made the decision to pursue a career in television. “I had one of those moments when I was flying back, very unhappy coming home because I was due to take up one of these offers.”
Animal collection manager Rebecca was also uncertain about her career choices. “I don’t know why I wanted to become a lawyer,” she says, recalling her university choice. An unexpected job during her gap year and promotion led her to ask for another gap year. When she asked for a third gap year, the university said no but Rebecca has no regrets about her career path.
Gaining a new perspective
A gap year doesn’t have to be about gaining direct experience or decision-making time. For some, it’s about taking risks and doing something that will change their outlook on life. Peter who is now a senior scientist at the Eden Project, says his gap year was “probably one of the most formative years of my entire life.”
Acupuncturist Phil had a gap year that was less planned but just as beneficial. Missing his grade points for university he went travelling in Thailand. “While I was there, I did a course in Thai massage and really enjoyed it,” he says. When he was home he looked at various alternative theories and found a course starting in three weeks. “Kind of luck almost in a certain respect. But as soon as I started the course I never looked back.”
Fundraising development officer Stephanie didn’t like her university course and opted for a year out. “Realising that I didn’t actually enjoy studying law and seeing that if I didn’t enjoy studying it and learning about it I wasn’t ever going to enjoy practising it,” was important says Stephanie. She doesn’t think her gap year changed her, but tapped into something she’d always loved and led her to her job in the community sector.
Find out more
Start planning your summer also has ideas for ways to spend a gap year.
Get volunteering lists different volunteering schemes.
