Thinking of taking
a year out?
Lawrence Lockhart
Email: gapyearfairs.lockhart@virgin.net
What are your concerns
about the future?
- The recession
- Youth unemployment
- Graduate unemployment
- Tuition fees
- The cost of living
YOUR OPTIONS
Which of these options do you think would be most
appropriate for you when you leave school / college?
Get a job and start your career
Go straight to university
Go travelling
Get career experience
Go volunteering
Turn to your worksheet
OPTION 1: GET A JOB AND
START YOUR CAREER
Give one reason why you think this might
be a GOOD idea FOR YOU.
Give one reason why you think this might
NOT be a good idea for you.
OPTION 1: GET A JOB AND
START YOUR CAREER
WHY?
I hate studying? I want time for myself?
I want money to spend?
I have skills that can earn me a living?
HOW?
Go to job centre, employment agencies
Access social media and websites
Look in local papers
Talk to schools careers service
Apply for an apprenticeship
PROBLEMS?
Are there enough well-paid jobs locally?
Do I need training for a career?
Do all apprenticeships provide good quality training?
Turn back to the worksheet
OPTION 2: GO STRAIGHT TO UNIVERSITY
Give one reason for thinking this might be a
GOOD idea for you.
Give one reason for thinking that this might
NOT be a good idea for you.
OPTION 2: GO STRAIGHT TO UNIVERSITY
WHY?
Better career prospects
Higher lifetime income
Lifelong intellectual and cultural enrichment
Fun and friends
HOW?
Apply at school / college through UCAS
or after ‘Results Day’
PROBLEMS? Do I know enough to choose the right course for me?
What about tuition fees, living costs, graduate debt?
Are there enough jobs for graduates?
Turn back to the worksheet
OPTION 3: GO TRAVELLING
Give one reason for thinking this
might be a GOOD idea for you.
Give one reason for thinking this
might NOT be a good idea for you.
Option 3: INDEPENDENT TRAVEL
WHY?
I need a break!
See the world, new experiences and skills
Fun and friends
HOW?
Use student travel specialists: STA Travel
Get safety & health advice
PROBLEMS? Will it improve my career prospects?
Will I want to go to university afterwards?
Turn back to your worksheet
OPTION 4: GET CAREER EXPERIENCE
Give one reason for thinking this might be a
GOOD idea for you.
Give one reason for thinking this might
NOT be a good idea for you.
OPTION 4: CAREER EXPERIENCE
WHY?
Improve your CV and employment prospects
Rethink your HE & career plans
It may be a requirement for your training or degree course
HOW?
Choose between UK or overseas careers experience
UK: YINI, Accountancy, PGL, holiday companies, care sector
UK: Day release degrees with part-time study
Overseas: BUNAC, Oyster, Gap Canada, Work NZ, etc
PROBLEMS? If you work overseas, there will be costs
Go back to your worksheet
OPTION 5: VOLUNTEER
Give one reason for thinking this might
be a GOOD idea for you.
Give one reason for thinking this might
NOT be a good idea for you.
OPTION 5: VOLUNTEER OVERSEAS
WHY?
Experience a different world
Give something back, make a difference
Time and space to rethink your future
Improve your CV and employment prospects
There are opportunities for travel afterwards
HOW?
Raise the money (a valuable experience)
Research reputable, ethical organisations
Minimum 2 - 3 months project work
Independent travel afterwards
PROBLEMS? Costs: £2000 to £5000
Will you want to go to university afterwards?
PLAN FOR AN OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE
(A ‘Year Out’ lasts 15 months)
Raise the money yourself
It’s a valuable experience.
A project in a working situation
2 to 3 months minimum if you want to make a real contribution.
Go travelling
Travel and accommodation in the region where you have been working
won’t cost much.
MINI GAP EXPERIENCES
Most gap organisations offer short projects
HOW LONG? 2 weeks to 3 months
WHEN?
Summer after A levels / Level 3 courses
During university summer vacations
Give the project as long as you can spare.
MAXI GAP EXPERIENCES
Organisations requiring 11 months commitment
Project Trust
The Year in Industry
Don’t be put off by the length of these programmes.
They are very highly regarded by universities and employers.
WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU DECIDE NOT
TO GO STRAIGHT TO UNIVERSITY?
The main options
Teaching and community work worldwide
Expeditions and conservation work worldwide
Caring for the disadvantaged (UK or overseas)
Paid UK placements in engineering, finance and management
Working with children: au pair, summer camps, activity centres
Skills development: IT, office, business, languages
Sports and outdoor pursuits: play, be coached, coach children
Work & travel programmes: N America, OZ & NZ, China, Russia, etc
Career experience: medical, law, journalism, tourism (UK or overseas)
Some other possibilities

Archaeological digs
 Art History courses in Italy
 Cookery courses
 Drama at Stratford-on-Avon
 Ski & watersports instructor courses
 and many more
What do past volunteers say?
“Every important decision I have made since has been influenced by my gap year experiences”
(Minty Gilders, ex Africa & Asia Venture)
“If you look at the “buzz” words for any application form or job interview, you can relate
them to a gap year experience: teamwork, leadership, initiative, independence, creativity,
resourcefulness, motivation.” (Amy Daw / Green, ex Lattitude)
“My gap year gave me the time to pick up new skills and qualifications …..and helped
to guide my career choices. The biggest impact my gap year had on me was increased
confidence and maturity.” (Rupert Laing, ex Africa & Asia Venture)
“My decision to do a year away is probably the best choice I have made, and I am reaping the
benefits to this day.” (Chris Hitch, ex Project Trust)
“It has been a great way to experience the culture of a country close up, whilst developing
a lot of skills important in my future career and personal life.” (Alex Clarke, ex Raleigh)
“The school was absolutely fantastic and the teachers were lovely. They obviously needed our help
and really appreciated everything we did.” (Ellen Fitten, Oyster Worldwide)
“ I gained knowledge useful for my degree, got sponsored through uni, and I have a year of work
experience on my CV.” (Joseph Harris, Year in Industry)
SOME PHOTOGRAPHS
from an environmental research project in the
Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania
Home, sweet home
2. Relaxation after work
3. The camp bar
4. Collecting water
5. The camp cookhouse
6. Passing wildlife
7. The camp ‘long drop’
8. Riverside village
1.
WHY TAKE A GAP YEAR?
A break from study and examinations
Independence & confidence and a sense of achievement
A chance to rethink your future
You will get more out of university
Learn new skills
Improve your employment prospects
Getting things into perspective
Fun and new friends
FINANCING YOUR GAP YEAR
PROJECT:
SOME OPTIONS WHICH CAN PAY FOR THEMSELVES
Industrial / commercial placements
Social / caring work
Working with children
‘Work and Travel’ programmes
THE HIGH COST OPTIONS
Teaching / community work overseas
Expeditions / conservation work
Outdoor pursuits and sport
Skills courses
OUR ADVICE: If you DON’T join a project you may spend
just as much money doing things a different way.
HOW MUCH?
For most overseas volunteering projects: £2000 to £5000
(depending on length of project, air fares, in-country cost of living)
Extended work experience overseas: similar to volunteering
For travel after the project: a few hundred £s
(very cheap accommodation and local transport, unless you go globe trotting)
Children’s camps abroad: air ticket and local travel costs
(accommodation, food and pocket money usually provided at camp)
Ski, watersports, other sports courses: expensive!
HOW TO RAISE THE MONEY
Paid work for part of the year
Work as you travel
Fundraising
Letters to businesses and charities
Bursaries
DON’T ASK YOUR PARENTS TO PAY!
Fundraising will be part of your experience, and evidence of your skills.
How to choose your gap year organisation

Decide what you want to do.

Look at several organisations that match your interests.

(Sources: our database; Year Out Group; gapadvice.org; websites)

Get contact details of past participants. Talk to them.

(Was there a selection process? Were they met on arrival? Was there
in-country support? What work did they do? What accommodation
was provided? Did they feel safe? Was it value for money?)

E-mail us if you wish to.

(Lawrence Lockhart, gapyearfairs.lockhart@virgin.net)
HOW WE CAN HELP
Gap Year Fairs is a voluntary organisation which since
1998 has provided free impartial information and advice
for post-16 students on taking a gap year or shorter
periods of overseas volunteering and career experience.
We monitor the gap year market. We recommend and
invite to our Fairs only those organisations which offer a
genuine educational experience through ethical, valuefor-money projects.
Email us at gapyearfairs.lockhart@virgin.net.
FINALLY
Get out of your comfort zone and
GO FOR IT!