The current economic climate has seen an increase in the amount of students looking to take a gap year before they start their graduate career. However, future graduates have been warned that a gap year should be used for work not just for pleasure.
Gap years can offer graduates a great opportunity to gain exciting experiences and develop skills such as independence and organisation, but with work experience becoming an increasingly important job requirement – as shown in a recent report by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) - they should be used as an opportunity to gain experience in the work place, not just at travel destinations.
Richard Oliver, chief executive of the Year Out Group, has said: “I would hope that the 18-year-olds are beginning to look on gap years more as a career advantage and as something which, after university, will get them a job quickly rather than simply a sangria-fuelled holiday.”
Sarah Evans, Director of Client Services at Discovery Graduates agrees.
“A year abroad travelling, whether it be before, during or after university is a great experience in itself, but to be able to combine it with some work experience will stand you in a great position when looking for graduate jobs. It is important to include these experiences on your CV and talk about them at interview, even if it was fruit picking or bar work it is all relevant.”