Opportunities to Take Advantage of During Your Gap Year
The Gap Year is usually associated with wealthy students who can afford to travel or take an unpaid internship before college. In reality, a lot of people take a break after high school. Reasons for a gap year vary. Sometimes, people feel they aren't ready for college. Other times, a future student needs time to start saving so they can pay for their education.
If college is not in the plans right away, then you can pursue opportunities to grow skills that will help you in your future career.
These programs are perfect for a gap year. You can gain valuable skills and start earning money right out of high school:
Juma
How You Grow:
Gain access to employment opportunities and training to strengthen workplace skills and money management.
Perfect If You:
-Are between the ages of 16-24
Juma gives special consideration to applicants who have experienced:
-homelessness or temporary housing
-navigating the foster care system
-a juvenile or criminal justice history
Benefits:
-Job skills training
-Job placement at a partner company
-Career coaching
-Financial education
-Mentorship
-Alumnni network
Public Allies
How You Grow:
Work full-time as an apprentice at a local nonprofit. Areas people work in include youth development, education, public health, economic development, and the environment.
Perfect Fit If You:
-Are interested in community work
-Have at least a GED or High School Diploma
-Rebuilding with a criminal record (only two types of criminal record will disqualify you from the program)
Benefits:
-Monthly stipend
-Healthcare benefits
-Childcare subsidy
-Upon program completion, receive up to $5,575 education credit for paying off student loans or paying for future education.
-Alumni network
Year Up
How You Grow:
Secure an internship at top national companies. Year Up partners include Microsoft, Bank of America, and JP Morgan Chase. For 6 months, you learn the technical and soft skills that you will use during your internship. For the remaining 6 months, you intern at a partner company. Year Up graduates go on to make an average of $19/hr ($38,000/yr).
Perfect Fit If You:
-Are 18-24 years old
-Are interested in IT, Financial Operations, Sales & Customer Service, Business Operations, or Software Development.
-Are a high school graduate or college student (you can be enrolled in college but cannot have completed a Bachelor's Degree program)
-Living on a low to moderate income
-Available 5 days a week (Mon-Fri) for a full year.
Benefits:
-Monthly stipend
-Earn up to 36 college credits
-Mentor program
-Alumni program and support
Service Year
Service Year Search Engine
This site is perfect if you are looking for opportunities for deeper community involvement. Service Year pulls together listings from a number of organizations across the country. You can search by location or area of interest. Service categories include:
-Youth Work
-Education
-Arts and Culture
-Homelessness & Housing
-Public Safety, and Many more
The opportunities on this website pay stipends and salaries. They offer varying benefits for your work, like childcare vouchers, housing, and money for paying off student loans. The programs posted on the site will indicate whether they complete a criminal background check.
