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Taking a Year Off
You are about to graduate from college, and you realize your plans end there; you haven’t yet decided what to do with yourself after graduation. Don’t worry, you are not alone. Many students find themselves questioning what to do after college. Should they continue school? Should they start work? Many students don’t know what they want to do, but do know that they need time away from school to continue developing as a person and decide their future. If this sounds like you, you are contemplating what many people call a "gap year." A gap year, or time off, is taking about a year after graduation to be involved in a short term job, volunteer or training opportunity. These experiences are meant to round out your resume and build you as a human being; they are not meant to be long term or permanent.
This page is structured to help you decide what to do with your time off. Click on one of the sections below for more information and resources.
- Opportunities in the U.S.- Paid
- Opportunities in the U.S.- Unpaid
- Training Opportunities in the U.S.
- Opportunities Abroad
- Other Online Resources
Opportunities in the U.S.- Paid
A paid gap year job generally requires the most planning, as they are usually the most competitive. In this section you will find descriptions of opportunities that offer a modest salary, usually in addition to living expenses. Some of the opportunities involve monetary compensation in the form of grants or scholarships that must be applied for in addition to the program itself. If you are interested in one of these opportunities based on its summary, go to the specific program webpage for additional information.
Opportunities in the U.S.- Unpaid
Most gap year jobs provide monetary compensation in the form of basic housing and living expenses. Some of these positions also include a modest exit stipend, or a small sum of money payable upon completion of the program. These opportunities generally vary in level of competition: some are very competitive and need to be applied for early, while others require less planning. If you are interested in one of these opportunities based on its summary, go to the specific program webpage for additional information.
Training Programs in the U.S.
These are programs specifically catered to acquiring job skills after the completion of your undergraduate degree. This section is organized in terms of three major themes of training programs: Arts, Political, and Publishing. More often than not, these programs cost money and/or have little to no financial compensation or benefits.
Opportunities Abroad
Many of these opportunities require the most planning, some including international visas, work permits, passports, etc. Consider carefully the requirements and commitments to living and working abroad before applying to any of these programs. For additional help and information on international policies, procedures, and guidelines, contact the Office of International Studies at (410) 337- 6455.