How a gap year can give you a big boost
EXPLORING far- flung regions of the world can be an extremely tempting proposition after months of hard slog studying for A-levels or a degree.
Some sixth-formers decide to use the break in studies to earn money to help fund their university degree course, while graduates often yearn for one big adventure before they knuckle down to the world of work.
others use the time off to assess what they want to do or to help build up their CVs. In an increasingly competitive job market, good gap-year choices are crucial.
employers are more likely to be impressed by those who volunteer or do something constructive rather than sunbathe on beaches for a year. Recent research from the accommodation site Booking.com showed that travelling improves a CV — if it is the ‘right type’ of gap year.
Two in five of 205 UK employers surveyed by the business thought a good gap year set their most talented employees apart.
molly Cook, 19, from norfolk, had been planning to take a gap year from the age of 13. So having secured a place to read geography at Robinson College, Cambridge University, next month, she decided to volunteer with Raleigh International in Costa Rica and nicaragua.
This enabled her to develop her Spanish skills, indulge her passion for geography and have a lasting impact on the environment. molly was in Costa Rica and nicaragua from last october to December, where she worked on a clean water project and helped to create a new trail in a national park in Costa Rica.
molly says: ‘I went into Raleigh to make a difference to other people’s lives, but it made a big difference in my own life as well. When I got back, I was so positive about the whole experience. I’m more confident.
‘on trek you were all pushed to the extreme and had to be honest about what your opinions were on something. I learned to share my thoughts with someone without offending them. I think that will really help me at university. Since being back in the UK, I’ve been volunteering on an SOS bus on Saturday nights to help people who are drunk.
‘I help to rehydrate people or patch them up if they’ve fallen over. I wanted to maintain the skills that I learned on Raleigh and do something positive back in the UK.’