38 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • JANUARY 2020
FAMILY & EDUCATION
IS TAKING A GAP YEAR A GOOD IDEA?
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“Many times though, some students
cannot bounce back from gap years,”
he continues. “Those who weren’t
productive or didn’t do anything that
year to build will face it in the future.”
William Taylor, a career development
manager at MintResume.com,
says that that year can allow students
to earn cash via jobs and internships
that can help fund college.
But for all the positives, there are
downsides.
“There could be a gap in your CV,
especially if you didn’t do anything
worth mentioning,” says Taylor. “Also,
many students who start earning
money consider it unnecessary to
continue their studies. For some
people time off breaks their tempo.”
Know too, that gap years will hurt a
job candidate, “if they just ‘take time
off to travel’ (eye roll),” says Jackie
Ducci, founder of recruiting firm
Ducci & Associates in Manhattan.
“You must articulate your purpose
in a way that logically supports your
career track or growth. Anything
less, and employers will assume that
you are scattered, or just plain lazy.”
The best-case scenario is that you
show that you achieved your goal
during your gap year.
For sure there are some risks, but the
truth is, the onus is on you to maximize
your break. So if you decide to
go for a gap year, here’s how to make
the most of it.
Ben Watson is virtual CFO of Dollar-
Sprout. He took a gap year and then
some.
“I got a much better idea of what I
wanted my career to become by taking
some time after high school,” he
says. “I would have never found my
career path (or my wife) if I had gone
straight into college.”
He worked and taught English
overseas. He says he received more
scholarships and financial aid from
taking time off than if he hadn’t.
He worked and also taught English
overseas. He says he received more
scholarships and financial aid by
taking time off than if he hadn’t.
“Once I returned to the states, I
received nontraditional student
scholarships and awards because I
was focused and knew what I wanted
to do,” he says.
As for what you should take into
consideration, he asks, “Do you know
what college can do for you? If you’re
simply following the herd without
any real direction of major or career
after college, take a break and learn
what’s out there.”
Furthermore, if you can’t afford college
without taking on heavy debt,
think twice if you don’t have a clear
idea of what you’ll do after college.
“It’s kind of like taking out a mortgage
and hoping you’ll find a house you
like in four years,” he adds.
He says that while education is a great
thing, “Life skills and real-world connections
are worth more than an “A”
in English literature. If you decide
to attend college, pick a school and
major that will advance your goals,
not just to earn a degree.”
But be savvy, however. He adds, “If
you have scholarships that you otherwise
wouldn’t get, don’t waste the
opportunities in front of you.”
“A gap year can be the best or worst thing for
someone,” says Syed Rizvi.
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