find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses
Posted Aug. 4, 2014
Postgrad Careers: Is a gap year good or bad?
It can be quite daunting taking on a postgraduate course. It requires dedication, the ability to work for long hours on a single topic, and a whole heap of self-motivation. It can be particularly so if you went straight into a post grad degree from your bachelors. So it's not surprising that many postgraduate students consider taking a gap year – twelve months away from their studies to explore other activities. There are both pros and cons to taking a postgraduate gap year.
Options One of the major draws for postgraduate students considering a gap year is the potential to do something new, something that may or may not be related to their area of study. For some it may present an opportunity to do some volunteering, either at home or overseas. Travel is another attractive option, which could also be combined with getting some practical experience at teaching, by signing up to teach English abroad. What you can do with your year off really depends only on your imagination (and, of course, your funds!) Experience As outlined above, a postgraduate gap year is a good opportunity to gain some new experiences. The world is your oyster and if you choose to travel you will have the experience not only of seeing new parts of the world, but also of organising your trip and being self-reliant, important ‘soft’ skills that can be beneficial in your studies and future career. A gap year does not have to omit study either. You could choose to study abroad, perhaps learning a language in a country where it is the native tongue, or volunteering on a research project that links to your postgraduate degree CV Many of the activities you might undertake on a gap year will be valuable additions to your CV.
Volunteering or undertaking some professional development training demonstrates a willingness to improve yourself, share your experience and to take a risk. These are all attractive qualities to future recruiters.
Money Postgraduate students are not exactly renowned for being flush with cash. And taking a gap year will involve some financial outlay. How much you need of course depends on what you choose to do, but even if you volunteer close to your home, you will still need to support yourself and you won’t have access to student funding. Some volunteer projects may contribute to your expenses, but generally how much you save towards your gap year will be the key factor in determining what you can achieve during it.
Out of the loop It can be quite a big decision to take yourself out of the academic environment even for a planned vacation , and doing so for up to twelve months can be a cause of concern. You might feel that it would be detrimental to your studies to be away from the research for so long, particularly if you are studying a subject that is developing and evolving rapidly. There may also be a felling that you might miss opportunities if you are not ‘on the ground’ to see them. You might also feel that you are missing opportunities to network with people, perhaps at major conferences or visiting professors, who may be useful to make contact with.
Delay And, while it seems obvious, the other thing worth saying about taking a postgraduate gap year is that it will delay the point that you graduate. This will mean you are entering the job market a year after your academic peers.You will also have to re-immerse yourself in your research after not having done any for twelve months, which can take some adjustment.
There are undoubted benefits to take a gap year as a postgraduate, but there are potential downsides as well. If you are considering taking one, spend some time weighting up the pros and cons, thinking about what you would like to achieve during you twelve months out, and determine if you can afford it. Then, if you decide its right for you, have a great time!
Options One of the major draws for postgraduate students considering a gap year is the potential to do something new, something that may or may not be related to their area of study. For some it may present an opportunity to do some volunteering, either at home or overseas. Travel is another attractive option, which could also be combined with getting some practical experience at teaching, by signing up to teach English abroad. What you can do with your year off really depends only on your imagination (and, of course, your funds!) Experience As outlined above, a postgraduate gap year is a good opportunity to gain some new experiences. The world is your oyster and if you choose to travel you will have the experience not only of seeing new parts of the world, but also of organising your trip and being self-reliant, important ‘soft’ skills that can be beneficial in your studies and future career. A gap year does not have to omit study either. You could choose to study abroad, perhaps learning a language in a country where it is the native tongue, or volunteering on a research project that links to your postgraduate degree CV Many of the activities you might undertake on a gap year will be valuable additions to your CV.
Volunteering or undertaking some professional development training demonstrates a willingness to improve yourself, share your experience and to take a risk. These are all attractive qualities to future recruiters.
Money Postgraduate students are not exactly renowned for being flush with cash. And taking a gap year will involve some financial outlay. How much you need of course depends on what you choose to do, but even if you volunteer close to your home, you will still need to support yourself and you won’t have access to student funding. Some volunteer projects may contribute to your expenses, but generally how much you save towards your gap year will be the key factor in determining what you can achieve during it.
Out of the loop It can be quite a big decision to take yourself out of the academic environment even for a planned vacation , and doing so for up to twelve months can be a cause of concern. You might feel that it would be detrimental to your studies to be away from the research for so long, particularly if you are studying a subject that is developing and evolving rapidly. There may also be a felling that you might miss opportunities if you are not ‘on the ground’ to see them. You might also feel that you are missing opportunities to network with people, perhaps at major conferences or visiting professors, who may be useful to make contact with.
Delay And, while it seems obvious, the other thing worth saying about taking a postgraduate gap year is that it will delay the point that you graduate. This will mean you are entering the job market a year after your academic peers.You will also have to re-immerse yourself in your research after not having done any for twelve months, which can take some adjustment.
There are undoubted benefits to take a gap year as a postgraduate, but there are potential downsides as well. If you are considering taking one, spend some time weighting up the pros and cons, thinking about what you would like to achieve during you twelve months out, and determine if you can afford it. Then, if you decide its right for you, have a great time!
Related articles
Taking A Gap Year
Postgrad Careers: look local or move away?
Getting back into the postgrad game after a gap year
Job hunting tips
Turn your degree into a career
Categories
- Accommodation
- Budgeting
- Coronavirus (Covid-19)
- Courses
- Distance Learning / Online Study
- Fees
- Funding
- General
- Infographic
- International Students
- Jobs and Careers
- Mature Students
- MBA Programs
- Other
- Personal Statement
- PGCE
- PHD
- Student Life
- Student Welfare
- Study Abroad
- Study Advice
- Study In Australia
- Study In Europe
- Study In Ireland
- Study in UK
- Study In USA
- Theses and Dissertations
- Top 10 Lists
- Universities
