There really isn't a better time to seriously consider a gap year. The employment market for graduates is increasingly challenging. Thousands of graduates applying for a fewer and fewer jobs mean you really need to make your CV stand out. If you think getting work in your first year after graduating is going to be difficult why not add a gap year to your CV?
This could add all important experience to your CV and give you the opportunity the to demonstrate your decision-makiing and priotrisation skills without having gained work experience. They're key skills employers are looking for on top of everything you've learnt in the class room.
The trick is to make your gap year trip meaningful and to show you as an asset to any graduate employer.
When you're planning, think about what you want to achieve first:
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Do you just want to travel and see somewhere new?
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Do you want to use your time to work on a project or help others?
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Do you want something to add to your CV and learn some new skills?
There are a huge range of gap year travel ideas to make the most of your time. You can support local people & the environment as well as developing yourself.
Here are some of the top gap year ideas:
Gap year expeditions
For the real adventurers amongst you – who want to travel for longer and as far as the eye can see, make a positive impact on a destination and spend some time volunteering – this gap year expeditions page will be invaluable. Find our hand picked, responsible gap year expeditions from specialist gap year tour operators for an expedition you’ll never forget!
Gap year community projects
Make your gap year something really worthwhile and make a real difference to local communities. All the gap year holidays on this page let you become actively involved in community projects and contribute to supporting local communities so you can be sure of giving even more back
Gap year marine conservation
This is your chance of a lifetime to work with experts, improve your diving skills and gain worthwhile marine conservation research experience. Our choice of marine conservation expeditions are all from carefully screened and specialist operators for the most invaluable gap year
Gap year volunteering
Looking to have a mix of volunteering and adventure on your gap year? Whether you want to join a volunteer project for two weeks or two months we have plenty of volunteering projects for you to choose from. Make a difference on your gap year, choose from our page of leading gap year specialist and responsible operators.
Wildlife conservation
Get up close and personal with wildlife on your gap year and go wild with one of these wildlife conservation projects. A worldwide choice of wildlife conservation holidays from leading specialist tour companies that enable you to make a valuable contribution to wildlife conservation on your gap year.
Volunteer..... Why volunteer?
Last year, Lattitude volunteers contributed over one million hours towards projects across the globe, ranging from teaching to conservation work. If you still need convincing that volunteering with Lattitude is a good idea, here are a few reasons:
Make a difference
Wherever they go, our volunteers have an enormous positive impact. Rather than increasing your carbon footprint by hopping round the world, you’d be making a significant difference to the country you’re in.
CV building
After you finish your education, chances are you’ll want to find a job. The market can be highly competitive and having a Lattitude placement on your CV could make all the difference.
Personal growth
Many of our returning volunteers comment on how much they learned about themselves on their gap years. On average, people work for around 40 years of their lives. Taking time out to volunteer abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to do something truly different. It can also provide the space you might need to think about what you really want to do with your life.
Adventure
Going on a Lattitude placement is a real challenge. Taking yourself off to help in a foreign country may sound daunting, but all we hear from returning volunteers is that they can’t wait to go back!
New friends
Going on a Lattitude volunteering placement means you’re guaranteed to meet like-minded people. Many volunteers come back from their placements with memories, stories and friends for life.
Language skills
The best way to improve your foreign language skills is to spend time in the country itself, away from your home influences. Volunteering abroad is an ideal way to improve any language skills you may have, or even learn new ones!
Foreign culture
When simply travelling between countries, you rarely have time to properly learn about different ways of life. By spending several months living and helping abroad, you can really experience and immerse yourself in the culture of your chosen country.