Planning a Gap Year

After spending 4 regimented years in college, it is often difficult to define your post graduation plans. The debate between continuing school or beginning a career may present a set of options that don’t seem quite right.  A middle ground solution is to delay the decision entirely, and take a gap year.  A gap year can vary widely depending on your interest but often includes taking time off to be involved in volunteer work, travel, a short term job, or a training opportunity.  Not only can these experiences round out your resume, but they can prove a fulfilling personal experience too.

The resources for gap-year planning are many!  Start with some of the ones listed below:

General Resources:
http://www.escapeartist.com/
http://www.gapguru.com/
http://gapwork.com/
http://gapyear.com/
http://gap-year.com/
http://www.idealist.org/
http://servenet.org/
http://www.planetgapyear.com/faqs

Domestic Opportunities:
http://www.americorps.gov/
http://www.publicallies.org/
http://www.teachforamerica.org/
http://www.cityyear.org/

International Opportunities:
http://www.volunteerinternational.org/
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/
http://www.volunteerabroad.com/
http://www.peacecorps.gov/
http://www.unv.org/
http://www.projects-abroad.org/
http://www.globalservicecorps.org/
http://www.unitedplanet.org/2006

International Jobs:
http://www.bunac.org/
http://www.ciee.org/
http://www.aiesec.org/
http://www.gapyearjobs.co.uk/
http://www.teachabroad.com/

Volunteer:
http://www.volunteerinternational.org/
http://www.volunteerabroad.com/
http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/
http://www.peacework.org/
http://www.projects-abroad.org/
http://www.globalservicecorps.org/
http://www.peacecorps.gov/

Unique/Adventure Jobs:
http://www.lookingforadventure.com/
http://www.realgap.co.uk/
http://www.nanniesplus.com/
http://www.eckerd.org/
http://www.backdoorjobs.com/
http://www.coolworks.com/
http://www.oapn.net/
http://www.funjobs.com/