Traveller in Shibuya, Japan

Will a Gap Year Help My Career?

Wondering whether a gap year can help your career? There's no doubt that going on a gap year is an amazing opportunity for fun and adventure, but it's much more than that. Taking a gap year can give you incredible experience for your CV, add to your skills and set you up for a future career.

Take up a new challenge

Going on a gap year is an exciting challenge. Whatever activities you choose to do, whether you want to do paid work, volunteer, have adventure and party time, learn new skills or take a tour, you will be adding to your skill set, pushing yourself and showing you can rise to a challenge. Going on a gap year can help your career by showing future employers that you are brave, daring, adventurous, resourceful and independent - all highly desirable skills!

Get work experience abroad

Many gap travellers choose to spend some of their time abroad earning money in a paid job. By signing up for a paid work package, travellers can not only top up their travel funds but also gain serious work experience abroad and help their career. Having work experience in another country is one way of making your CV stand out, so once you're out in the UK job market it can really give you an edge. Taking up a paid work challenge abroad proves that you are adaptable, independent and can work under pressure in another country.

Become a volunteer

Volunteering is a fantastic way to gain skills and experience for your CV and help your career. Employers look favourably on applicants who have volunteered, as it shows a willingness to help as well as experience in a specific area. Choose from a wide range of volunteer opportunities such as volunteer teaching, childcare, medical work, wildlife, conservation work, building projects, community volunteering, sports coaching and much more!

Learn new skills

A gap year can be the perfect time to learn new skills that'll help your career. You could learn a language such as Spanish and make your CV sizzle, gain an internationally recognised TEFL qualification, learn to dive, learn to sail, pick up hands-on wildlife conservation skills, & much more! These are all transferable skills which can only improve your employability factor in the future!

Get a career confidence boost

One of the best benefits of going on a gap year is the transformation it will make to your confidence and independence. Once you've been brave enough to travel the world, and even work or volunteer abroad, you'll feel much more ready to take on a new career challenge in the future - and you can't put a price on that!

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