Tag Archives: gap year

college planning, gap year, parenting

What Parents Need to Know About a Gap Year

gap year

I want to take a gap year before I go to college” are some of the most feared words by parents. What do we fear? We fear they won’t want to go back to school after being off for a year. We fear they will lie around the house, watch TV and play video games. We fear they aren’t thinking clearly and have no idea what they are saying. And for those competitive parents, it’s not what they planned.

Don’t fear the gap year. Not every student is ready for college after high school. Some simply aren’t mature enough, and others simply don’t know where they want to go or what they want to study. And if this is the case, would you want to spend thousands of dollars on college if it meant they dropped out their first semester? Of course you wouldn’t want to do that.

Continue reading What Parents Need to Know About a Gap Year →
careers, gap year, graduation

Exploring the Options After Graduation

 

graduation

As exciting as college is for high school graduates, it’s terrifying for parents – especially when your child is the one who wants to dash across the country to another school.

For some, college is a chance to spread their wings as far and as wide as they can go. The chance to live in another state and meet entirely new people is exciting and can be life-changing, especially if you’re already from a small town. But, what if your teen isn’t sure what they want to do post-high school graduation? What if they have no idea the options available to them? What if going away to college is too daunting, too much to handle? This is the job for parents. You need to all sit down together and talk about the options ahead of them after high school and how those options can affect their choices in later life. College is an important stepping stone into an ideal career and if you harness their creativity and passion when they’re young, they’ll thank you for it later. So, what options are on the table for your teenager?

College.

Okay, so obviously the first option out of high school is going to be college. Whether that’s studying in college thousands of miles away, or doing an online MBA program at home instead, college is the first and most preferable option. Finding work without a degree can be difficult and if your teenager has specific ideas of what they want from their future, it makes sense to walk them through college application time. They don’t have to go to the opposite end of the country when there are local community colleges and the option to study online at home.

Work.

Working right out of high school is an option that some take over going directly into college with their friends. This option may be a temporary one, but they could also secure a position at the bottom of a company doing an internship with the promise of progression through the ranks. It’s not a bad option to think about, especially if your teen needs a break from studying to earn money toward tuition.

Travel.

A gap year between high school and college that is filled with places to see and things to do is a popular option among students. Some kids work their way through high school, saving every penny they make so that they can have an adventure around the world and gain some cultural experiences before they settle into their studies.

Whichever way your high-school graduate chooses to go, as a parent you must support their exploration of all the options and while you can help and guide, the decision cannot be yours. College is a time for growth, and not just for the kids.

college guidance, college planning, entreprenuership, gap year

Not Going to College? Now What?

1 Comment

 

This post was originally written for ClassandCareers.com and was posted as “Taking the non-traditional route after high school graduation”.

college

Most high school seniors are geared up for graduation next month and that comes with a good case of senioritis. The typical path for a large percentage of graduates sends them off to college in the fall to live in dorms, stay up all night studying, and pledge sororities and fraternities. But what happens when those high school seniors choose a non-traditional route that doesn’t include the typical collegiate experience?

Take a gap year

After 12 years of school, and more for some, many high school students are considering a gap year after graduation. That doesn’t mean you veg out on the couch in front of the television, or spend a year playing Xbox games in your parents’ basement. It’s a chance to expand your horizons and get some life experience under your belt before heading off to college. Gap years are becoming more popular among high school graduates and gaining credibility among established educators. Princeton University has a “bridge year” program in place for admitted students to do service work abroad before enrolling. High schools around the country are hosting gap-year fairs to familiarize students with the options available if they choose to take advantage of a gap year.

Consider entrepreneurship

TechCrunch recently interviewed, Peter Thiel, the founder of Paypal about what he calls the “higher education bubble”. His recommendation: take a different path. He has started a program for 20 students under 20 and is paying them $100,000 over a two year period to start their own businesses.  Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos encourages those who are considering spending thousands of dollars on an education to skip the degree and use the money to finance a business. While it’s quite common for college graduates to take an entrepreneurial path, the thought of high school graduates going down that road scares the pants off of most parents.

The downside to this path: not everyone can be the next Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg. It takes drive, ambition and determination to start and run a business. You need an idea, a concept, a product and the business sense to make it all flow together once you get started. Think long and hard before you choose this path and in the meantime, get some education to help you when you do.

Choose a military path

Many high school graduates choose the military as a post-graduation path. Although the prospect of heading into combat might not be appealing for some, others find this choice wise and honorable. The military provides training in many different career paths, along with the funding for a college education. Many servicemen are even attending college while they serve.

For those graduates who are confident in their path and are headed off to college in the fall, congratulations! But for those who still aren’t sure or are considering a non-traditional path, these options will be your ticket to the future.

gap year

Working While Taking a Gap Year

 

working gap yearFor many students, a gap year is nothing but a time for adventure and self-discovery. Gap years often seem frivolous to others, but they provide students with some relaxation and the opportunity to pursue some dreams before going to university, or between graduation and starting their career.

Gap years are more than just a long holiday. They are character building and give an individual a broader view of life and the world around them. Many employers are also impressed with students who have followed their ambition to travel extensively and to live for a time in foreign environments; it shows courage and resourcefulness, two important skills in business.

However, while students with wealthy parents do not have to concern themselves with financing their year out, others need to raise some funds to finance their travels. There is now a growing trend of people going on gap years who would not normally be able to afford it; they are working their way around the world.

Work options

There are many work opportunities overseas, but you really need to plan well ahead; few countries will allow tourists to simply walk into a job, and the jobs on offer are often low paid.

One popular choice is to teach English. There are few countries where children are not learning some English, and if you obtain a qualification from TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) you will be in high demand.

Many young women chose to work as an au pair. Being an au pair is a great way to thoroughly immerse yourself in a city. You are provided with secure accommodation and food as well as receiving some pocket money. Often you will have evenings and weekends to yourself. There are several good websites that match au pairs with host families.

Bar work is also very popular; if you have some bar experience you should be able to find work, especially in tourist resorts. Bar work does not always pay well but you have the advantage of being able to explore a city during the day and working at night.

Go contracting

Contract work is very competitive, but if you have some work experience already it is a good option.

Another option for contracting is to seek a role within an American company that has overseas offices. If you can agree a six month contract this will provide you with an excellent income and a base for weekend exploring. It may also lead to a career with the company when you have completed your studies.

Managing your finances

Managing your finances while travelling can be very difficult, but one option available to contractors is to employ the contractor services at Atlantic Umbrella who will take care of your income and taxation while you are working.

Work for yourself

Some careers are possible if you work “from home.” Copywriting is always in high demand and you can do this anywhere so long as you have access to a computer and the internet. Copywriters can gain a lot of experience overseas that they can then use in their work.

You can still enjoy a gap year even if money is a little tight. If you plan well and find some work you will be able to have a great year without breaking the bank.s

gap year, mom approved tips

Mom-Approved Tips: Don’t Fear the Gap Year

2 Comments

 

gap year“I want to take a year before I go to college” are some of the most feared words by parents. What do we fear? We fear they won’t want to go back to school after being off for a year. We fear they will lie around the house, watch TV and play video games. We fear they aren’t thinking clearly and have no idea what they are saying. And for those competitive parents, it’s not what they planned.

Don’t fear the gap year. Not every student is ready for college after high school. Some simply aren’t mature enough, and others simply don’t know where they want to go or what they want to study. And if this is the case, would you want to spend thousands of dollars on college if it meant they dropped out their first semester? Of course you wouldn’t want to do that.

Have a serious conversation.

If your student is considering a gap year, you need to have a serious conversation—without judgment. Let them talk and listen. Try to find out why they want to do this. Is it about fear of college, are they afraid of failing or not being accepted, or are they simply unsure about what they want to do. Once you know that reason, it will be easier to parent regarding their decision.

Be straightforward and honest.

If you ascertain that their reasons are motivated by fear of failing, be encouraging. Point out their strengths and offer to help if they are struggling. Tutoring might help or consider hiring a professional college counselor to help them make some decisions. If they truly don’t feel college is for them, be supportive and discuss what the next year will be like.

Make a plan

Gap years are successful and beneficial if your student has a plan. During this year, they should work toward determining what they want to do once the year is up. This can be accomplished in many different ways. They could work and save money for college. They could investigate internships or apprenticeships in areas they are interested in. They could travel and work abroad. It’s all about making a plan, setting the ground rules, and making sure they understand what is expected of them.

Gap years are becoming more and more acceptable, especially with colleges. Once your student has been accepted, it’s not uncommon for them to defer admission for a year and use that time to get focused. And remember that not all students are ready for college. Push and they will suffer the consequences. Keep an open mind, discuss the possibilities, and breathe deeply. It could be the best year in your student’s life.