How a Gap Year Can Make You Better at Business

Gap Year Business Skills

More students than ever are taking gap years. The fluctuating safety of US college campuses, and the dissatisfaction with online classes has prompted many to forget college, at least for a year, and take the time to travel. There are pros and cons of a gap year, but they are mostly pros.

Although enjoying yourself in Europe might be your first choice, if you plan to major in business, you might want to narrow your travel choice to something more beneficial for your future. This will not be very impressive on your resume.

You could intern in a business, either in the US or elsewhere in the world. Many college students do not apply for, or get, internships until they are seniors in college. This year is different from any other year and businesses may be looking to fill employment gaps with lower paid internships.

It will probably still be more money that you've made in high school and if you live frugally, you'll be fine. In fact, living frugally is one of the important things for you to learn as well as what you'll learn about business.

If a full blown internship isn't possible, volunteer at a business you admire. No doubt, there is some sort of research project going on that they would be glad to have help with. Research shows that that gap year experiences of any kind greatly increase job prospects.

A Gap Year at Home

Working with a small business or bank in your home town, could also work out. No one says that you need to spend your gap year away from home. A volunteer position could well turn into a permanent position in the future.

Whether you leave home for the year or not, this is an excellent time to perfect the personal attributes that any employer looks for such as productivity, honesty, initiative and accountability.

A Gap Year Away

Although spending your gap year near home can be more economical, you will definitely be able to add certain skills like self-reliance and independence to your resume if you go off on your own.

You could work at an established business in Europe to hone your skills, and even become fluent in another language. Or you could travel to a developing country and actually help a first time entrepreneur start a small business.

Imagine the sense of accomplishment you'll have helping someone with little education or money take a business from idea to reality. Also think how great that will look on your resume.

The Cons to a Gap Year

The cons to a gap year are all pretty much invalid. People who follow the usual path (going right to college from high school) may be doing things "right" in the opinion of those who don't think outside the box.

The truth is, though, many college freshmen are not really ready for college. Many even drop out because they can't take the pressure.

Spending what would have been your first year in college having new experiences and learning self-reliance is hardly a waste in the long run. It will enhance your college experience instead of putting you behind your classmates, as many claim will happen. You will start and finish ahead of them because all through college what you learned in the gap year will help you with everything else you learn in college.

The right type of gap year experience can even count as credit in some college programs. Upon graduation, you will already know how to work in the business world and those you've done volunteer work for will now be part of your network. Most recent graduates don't even have a network.

If you are being met with a lot of resistance about taking a gap year, gather some hard evidence to present your opposers with. The reality is, there is really no downside to a gap year.