Are you taking a Gap year?

Do you have to hit the pause button on your career or studies, due to your health or COVID-19 or financial issues or do you just have to figure things out? Are you thinking of taking a gap year but it seems like a downfall in your career? With the growing uncertainty these days, such breaks and interruptions can happen to anyone at any time. 

The most pressing concern in students’ minds, who are considering taking a gap year, is safety, health, and finances. Due to the surge of the current COVID-19 pandemic, students across the globe are considering the option of taking a gap year, at least until the atmosphere reaches some semblance of normality. A gap year or more can be helpful sometimes to either reaffirm your decision of going ahead in a certain field or navigating to a new direction. 

Gap years can thus be useful for the students to figure out their interests and passion, acquire professional experience, get some clarity in terms of their academics and career prospects and make an informed decision after quality time spent in self-introspection. If planned and executed wisely, a gap year could be a resourceful and enriching time, helping students in exploring their passions and career options. If you are planning to take a gap year, but want to ensure that you can build a holistic profile so that it is not a hindrance at the time of your application or interview, then you could consider these tips: 

• Learn a new language

In this increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, being proficient in a new language is not only a vital skill today, but it can set your profile apart from other monolingual peers. Learning a new foreign language is always a good decision for someone applying for a Master’s program of an MBA, as this will be an added advantage while networking. 

• Make a social change

Volunteering in an NGO is another way you can utilize your gap year. Social involvement programs always call for brownie points on a college application. Thus, in these times of needs volunteering will not only help you but also those in need. You can consider volunteering in the field you’re interested in or you’re passionate about and make a social change. 

• Manifest your field practically

Work experience plays an important role not just on your resume but for you to understand how your field of interest works in the professional and practical space. A master’s program is curated in a specialized manner with intense research, knowledge, and an in-depth curriculum in the field. Thus, experiencing a couple of internships or jobs is an option that can do great benefits to you if you can manage to squeeze in the hands-on experience in your profile. 

• Experience events, projects, and competitions

Participating in events and competitions is a great way to build up your profile in the extracurricular space. Through your extracurricular achievements, you can showcase your unique potential, talent, skill, and personality. 

• Take up a course 

A gap year is a break from formal education and not from learning, you could also take some courses that might not be related to their specific career path, but are things that excite you. You could also take up courses to polish and learn new skills that are in demand in your field. If you are looking for a change in your stream of education, then taking up courses to build your foundation in your desired stream would be helpful. 

• Look for a mentor or consultant 

The other important consideration is the quality and resourcefulness of the higher education experience along with mapping your goals out. When you don’t have constant deadlines or a routine in your life after so many years of routine life, you may procrastinate, and thus, having a mentor to help you evaluate, strategize, and formulate the right steps for your career goals can be quite helpful. 

From exploring new languages, interning in diverse organizations, going to the root of society, and working with NGOs, there is a wide range of things that you can dive into. If anything, you can do that one thing that you have been putting off for years due to your rigorous and tight schedules, like learning how to cook or ski! Thus, this exploration only ensures that you have a holistic and rewarding path ahead after getting the chance to delve into diverse areas, finally making an informed decision.

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