There’s a lot of pressure to finish college to “get a good job” but with the national student debt reaching and exceeding 1 trillion dollars (that’s $1,000,000,000,000 with nine 0s), and the job market not promising entry level positions, college aged students are looking to be more competitive and find ways to set them apart from the competition. Instead of taking on 18 units at a time, working a part time job and 2 internships like I did, and experience extreme burn out, take a time out. Utilize a gap year to clear your head, explore the real world, and have the time of your life while being able to put some amazing things on your resume that your peers won’t be able to do.
Start Researching Now
Chances are your fall term is slowly coming to an end, and you’ve more than likely registered for next term’s classes. Take this time to do your research. Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? A gap year isn’t for sleeping all day, partying all not, and wasting your time playing Call of Duty and gaining weight. You want your gap year to not only be memorable, but also educational. Decide where you want to go, find out how much it costs to get there and stay there, and figure out your budget.
Find Work Opportunities
If you’re going abroad, you’ll more than likely still need a job so you can earn income. Consider becoming a freelancer, being able to work from anywhere with an Internet connection. If you like to teach, you can find many ESL teaching positions in different companies. Maybe you’re into exercise and want to be a traveling yoga instructor. Even better, blog about your experience and build up your brand, and your blog can become your business, accepting advertising and creating ebooks and podcasts around what you learn. This is certainly professional experience that will look amazing on your resume.
Don’t Stop Learning
Just because you’re taking a break from school doesn’t mean you get to take a break from learning. There’s so many resources out there that you can take classes for free. Using iTunes U and TED podcasts, you can become a learning machine during your gap year without the pressures of exams, research papers and group projects. Take classes that you’re interested in and have a chance to actually reflect on the material instead of cramming it in your brain. Who knows, you may find a new passion with these classes.
Reading is Fundamental
Piggybacking off learning, you should also take this time to read some amazing books. Everyone is buzzing about the Steve Jobs biography, and there’s tons of New York bestsellers that will give you some amazing insight into being a professional. Consider getting an eReader like the Kindle or Nook so you can take as many books as you want on the go.
Consider a Set Program
You don’t have to endure the pressure of designing your own gap year program. If you need some additional discipline, there’s other programs like the Peace Corps or other volunteer associations that you can join for a set term. These nationally recognized programs will certainly stand out on your resume and will provide you the experience of a lifetime. They will allow you to travel, work, learn, and have a lot of fun. You’ll meet new people and explore things you never would have if you stayed in school with everyone else.
There’s too much pressure to join the rat race and go the traditional route, and not enough security in knowing you will get a job or can make a living. Take an alternate route and give yourself time to really figure out who you are and what you want to do. This is your life, and you have to be happy with it. Give yourself some time to decide for yourself instead of having your parents, your teachers, your friends or society decide for you.
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