Top 5 Ideas for a Post-Graduation Gap Year

Have the recent graduate careers fairs left you feeling uninspired? Are you dreading letting go of the student lifestyle come graduation? With competition in the graduate job market fiercer than ever, more students are choosing to take a post-graduation gap year, having the time of their lives in the process. If you’re not sure what your ‘dream job’ is, or you simply want to explore the world before settling down to the 9 ‘til 5 routine, here is the lowdown on planning the ultimate year out.
 

1. Think gap year, think travelling

When someone mentions the prospect of a gap year, jetting off to exotic locations is the first thing that springs to mind. If you need a bit of inspiration, try checking out STA Travel. Their ‘Round the World’ tickets are perfect if you’re feeling adventurous. The Kwikfire Kiwi route is the cheapest; for £745 it will take you from London to Dubai, Auckland, Los Angeles, New York and then back to London. If you fancy travelling but you’re not keen on doing it for a few months, then one of STA Travel’s action-packed adventure tours could be the perfect option. Their ‘Absolute Peru’ tour, for example, lasts 21 days. Highlights include trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, searching for wildlife in the Amazon, spotting condors at Colca Canyon and experiencing local life at a homestay on Lake Titicaca. There will be plenty of like-minded travelers along the way, so pick your location and get booking!

 

2. Work abroad

Combining travelling with working on your gap year is a great way to earn cash while enhancing your CV. One of the best ways to see the world is to teach English and, luckily for recent graduates, qualified and enthusiastic English Language teachers are in demand. If this sounds like an appealing option, you’ll need to get a TEFL qualification, either by taking an online course – I-to-Ioffer online TEFL courses starting from £99 – or by attending an intensive weekend course at one of TEFL’s learning centres across the UK. Prices start at around £345; see www.tefl.co.ukfor more information. Another great option is to spend part of the year working at an American summer camp as a camp leader, activity instructor or support team member. Most companies, for example BUNACor Camp America, will foot the cost of your airfare and accommodation, as well as paying workers between $600 and $1200, which is perfect pocket money for travelling around the US afterwards! For the winter months, why not head to the slopes to work a ski season? Well-respected companies such as Skiworldand Snowlineoffer a variety of roles ranging from ski representative to chalet hosts, promising an unforgettable winter of free skiing.

 

3. Take on a volunteering project  

Why not use your year out to give something back to a worthwhile cause? If you are planning to stay in the UK, there are numerous volunteering opportunities on your doorstep, ranging from local community projects to one-off fundraising events. Organisations such as Leeds Actionoffer a variety of projects that aim to tackle environmental problems and to help children and the elderly. For those moving home after graduation, there are similar options all around the country. Alternatively, explore the world with a global volunteering project. You could be doing anything from building a school to helping to protect endangered species. Top gap year provider Raleigh Internationalpromises that volunteers on their expeditions will increase their mental resilience, confidence and self-awareness.  If you want lifelong memories and a new perspective of the world, volunteering could be the ideal option for your year out.

 
4. Give your CV the star treatment

We are forever being told that to have a chance in the job market we have to ‘stand out from the crowd’. One of the most effective ways you can do this is by gaining valuable work experience during your gap year. It may not sound like the most exciting option compared to travelling the world, however, it will ensure that you are more in control of your future career. It is essential that your application is up to scratch, so tailor your CV and covering letter to each place you apply to. Log on to the University’s Careers Centrewebsite and download their helpful ‘CV Roadmap’.  Remember to not be modest about your skills; emphasise how amazing you are!

 
5. Take some time out

It might sound clichéd, but this is your chance to really think about what you want to do in life, and where you would like to be. This doesn’t mean lounging about in your pyjamas waiting for life to begin. Instead, ask yourself what your dream job would be. Be brave, ambitious and creative: set your sights on something and then work out how you can get there. Once you have done that, be practical and think about the skills you need to touch up on, or where you need to gain more experience, and then go for it. Most importantly, while you are enhancing your future prospects you will be having the time of your life.
 

Graduation, far from being an ending, marks the beginning of some of the best years of your life. If a post-graduation gap year sounds like it’s for you, it’s time to start planning!