How to Make Your Gap Year Your Best Career Move Yet

You’ve heard about Gap Years many times before – even Malia Obama has decided to take one. Even though Gap Years are becoming increasingly popular, have you ever considered that they might be the best thing to do for your career?

We truly believe that students who take the leap with us and join our Gap Year & Semester Programs get a life-changing experience, and get ahead of others when it comes to finding the next best opportunity for them.

Making your Gap Year a worthwhile investment is crucial, so we’ve compiled for you  5 ways you can turn your Gap Year into your next best career move:  

Learn a Foreign Language & Go Abroad

Sure, you can take a Gap Year in your hometown, but if you travel and make the effort to learn a foreign language, even just a little,  you show employers that you have gained cultural exposure, language skills and a unique knowledge of other countries and ways of life.

Since the business world is increasingly in need of employees who are able to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures, participating in a global education program is a great career move.

“I think that I not only learned about the culture here but I also learned more about myself. It opened my eyes up to a greater perspective of the world,” said Maria Capozza who participated in one of our Summer Expeditions in 2015.

Earn Professional Certifications

Earning certifications is tangible proof that you have enough perseverance and skills to fit into predefined frameworks and abide by requirements. Certifications can be added to your resume, and no matter what job, college or internship you are applying to, they show that you are a motivated individual ready to go through examination and work hard to reach your goals.

Here is the list of certifications we offer through our Outdoor Leader Semester:

– Wilderness First Responder (Outward Bound Costa Rica)
– CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer (American Red Cross)
– Whitewater Rescue Technician (Rescue 3 International)
– Technical Rope Rescue: Operations Level (Rescue 3 International)
– Whitewater Raft Guide License Class I-II or III (International Rafting Federation)
– Scuba Diver or Advanced Scuba Diver Certification (National Association of Underwater Instructors)
– Waterfront Lifeguarding (American Red Cross)

Get Field Experience

There are numerous benefits of participating in international education adventures, but one of the most important reasons to do so is to acquire new job skills. Taking a Gap Year allows you to gain skills most wanted by employers such as problem-solving, teamwork, leadership skills and the ability to communicate well with others.

Students in our programs put to practice what they learn in the field by putting their teamwork to the test rafting down thrilling rapids or bettering their communication skills thanks to interacting with course mates from around the world, experienced instructors and local communities.

Make Sure Your Application Stands Out

Whether you are applying to college or for your dream job, taking a Gap Year is a great way to prove you are pro-active about your life choices, self-reliable and independent.

As you get out of your comfort zone, you get the chance to master the skill of positive thinking in all situations, build self confidence while experimenting with new activities and become more accustomed to the process of learning.  A process that ends with the integration of something new to something normal. All of these qualities will be reflected on your resume proving your  Gap Year was a productive experience.

Taking a Gap Year is a testament to your ability to commit and therefore to be a reliable professional.

Expand Your Professional & Social Networks

Making new friends can seem like a secondary goal of your Gap Year, but is actually essential. Opening up and meeting new people will not only make you better at networking, but you never know where an opportunity might present itself. The larger your network, the more likely you are to find a vocation that is right for you.

Moreover, students who joined our Outdoor Leader Semester automatically get a chance to be chosen as summer interns with our organization in Costa Rica. If spending the summer in Costa Rica with a paid internship sounds good to you, make sure to put our advice in practice!

Find out more about gap year experiences here