Cover What are the benefits of taking a gap year? (Photo: iStock)
What are the benefits of taking a gap year? (Photo: iStock)
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Your career path doesn’t always have to be a straight line. If you’re considering taking a year off, here are a few things you should consider when planning a gap year.
As your time at high school or college comes to an end, the transition to college, university, or the workforce can bring about a mixed bag of emotions. The mentality of working hard and taking fewer breaks has been deep-rooted in our Asian culture, and there is the perception of being viewed negatively if you decide to take an adventurous time-out after years of education. However, it has become increasingly clear in recent years that there are no “right” or “wrong” career moves.
Friends and family may not fully understand the benefits of a gap year, but every choice comes with an opportunity. By delaying your entry to university, you can take a well-deserved break and dabble in other interests, which in turn can help you feel refreshed and energised when you return to pursue your dreams.
Read more: Five students on navigating their first year in university
Gap years don’t hurt your résumé, but what you do matters. Here are some things you can do to ensure you have a productive gap year.
Above Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock
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Expand Your Cultural View
With the increase in tuition and living costs, it’s no surprise that many students are considering taking a year out before university to work and save money. Focusing on one thing at a time is a more productive option compared to trying to balance doing two things equally well. Consider living and working a year abroad during this time. Immersing yourself in a different culture can help develop your cultural intelligence and gain an understanding of various cultural perspectives.
Enhance Career-Building Potential
Contrary to popular belief that you may feel left behind compared to your peers, taking a gap year offers the possibility for you to get ahead instead. From fellowship programmes, internships, and volunteering activities, you could be ticking multiple things off your checklist in a year. Moreover, employers tend to favour well-rounded candidates who can demonstrate value-added skills.
See also: Why these Taylor's University students believe sustainability is the future of fashion
Above Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock
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It Pays to Show Ambition
Your gap year is also a great time to put your creative ideas to work and gain real-life experience that a university doesn’t offer. Use that time to upgrade your skills, build your network, or even better, start a business. Putting your gap year to good use can really set you apart, giving you skills that you can carry through to a job, such as perseverance and putting yourself out of your comfort zone.
A Form of Self-Care
Besides professional experience, a gap year is an opportunity to help you realign your mind. Gearing up for university applications can be so fast-paced and competitive, especially if you’re looking to apply to a top-tier university. From acing your SAT scores to writing an impactful personal statement, you might lose track of what you’re gunning for. Taking the time to reflect will give you the headspace to decide which educational or career path is best suited for you before you continue investing your time moving forward.
Above Photo: Pang Yuhao/Unsplash
Photo: Pang Yuhao/Unsplash
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Sense of Purpose
Having a gap year is your chance to invest in yourself and contribute to anything that is close to your heart. The experience outside of the classroom will help you learn more about yourself and the issues you care about. Expand your awareness about issues that are global in nature, such as poverty, diseases, and immigration through on-the-ground experience with human rights organisations and the communities they serve. Global Citizen Year offers meaningful apprenticeships alongside experienced human rights leaders, where you can learn first-hand about the pressing challenges and promising solutions in the human rights field today.
See the World Up Close
A gap year allows you to travel the world in a period of your life where you are free of any responsibilities or financial commitments. Got a bucket list of places to visit? This is the perfect time to spend months backpacking around a different continent and getting acquainted with an entirely new culture. Talk about jumping in at the deep end! New surroundings, new people, and new experiences inspire your next steps, paving the way to the future you want.
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