Sadly, the class of 2011 has left us for bigger and better things. Some are all suited up in the real world, while others have opted for less traditional pathways. Every year, graduation gets us thinking about what we’re going to do when we grow up and leave Mother So Dear. Though it may sound terrifying to leave the bubble of meal swipes and free laundry, Her Impact has a solution: the gap year! Here are some alternative solutions to grad school or browsing the job market (and several of the programs still pay you!).
This non-profit organization works to combat inequality in classrooms across the nation. The organization was founded in 1990 based off the senior thesis of Princeton graduate, Wendy Kopp. Teach for America is now in its 20th year and has employed over 14,000 teachers in underprivileged schools. The program has over 41 regions from coast to coast and offers you the chance to travel while also focusing on your area of expertise. You are only committed for two years and receive both a stipend and the educational district salary/benefits. If you love working with kids and want to explore a new city, this is the program for you!
The Fulbright Program was founded by U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright in 1946. Fulbright awards over 8,000 merit-based grants for international research and teaching in over 155 countries. Funds come from the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to foster mutual understanding between the US and other countries. Applicants can either apply with a proposed research project or apply to be an English-Teaching Assistant (ETA) for a one-year commitment. If you loved studying abroad and want to continue international education, this is the scholarship you should go for! Wake Forest has a great reputation among the Fulbright committees with over 12 recipients in 2010 serving in countries from Germany to Georgia to Morocco.
This is an American volunteer program and government agency founded in 1961 to promote world peace and friendship. It was developed after World War II by both Senator Humphrey and President Kennedy to help aid developing countries. Its three main goals are: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand American culture and helping Americans to understand the cultures of other countries. It is a two-year commitment where volunteers work with governments, schools, non-profit organizations, non-government organizations and entrepreneurs in different countries. The U.S. has sent over 200,000 participants to over 139 countries. Applicants should apply a year in advance (around July before senior year).
This U.S. government program can be seen as the brother of Peace Corps. AmeriCorps differs from the Peace Corps in that it only offers service opportunities within the country. It was founded in 1993 by President Bill Clinton and currently employs over 500,000 volunteers. The program has three divisions: AmeriCorps State and National, VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), and NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps). What’s great about AmeriCorps is the wide array of service opportunities it offers to volunteers! It assists nonprofit, faith-based, and other community organizations and public agencies with grant money and its volunteers. It helps partner with organizations across the nation including the well-known YMCA, Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Habitat for Humanity. This is a perfect way for college students to help build up a program through service while staying in the country.
So those are our top 4 alternatives for a gap year! Gap years help give you a little more time to discover yourself before taking that final step into the real world. There are many jobs emphasizing service within the US and in other developing countries, and a lot of employers are impressed by post-grad service work. The best part: we can guarantee you these jobs will not involve you sitting in a cubicle!