Summary
In Episode 16 Marissa and I talk about her not so typical route after college. We’re typically presented with two options when we gear up for graduation: continue school or get a full time job, but Marissa wanted to share a third viable option; taking a year of service. Throughout this episode we talk about her year of service, her transition into the adult world, and how you can consider taking a gap year even a few years after you’ve graduated!
Key Takeaways:
- You won’t fall behind if you don’t take the traditional adulting route after college
- Volunteering gives you a perspective in life that you cannot gain from the corporate world
- This type of experience is a safe way to leave your comfort zone
- A year of service will give you identity capital to use in interviews or on podcasts
Is it worth deferring a job offer to do a year of service or gap year?
For a lot of people, yes. Many companies will let you defer an accepted offer for a year, which gives you a safety net while you try something completely different. It’s a chance to pause before the daily grind of a 9-to-5 starts, and it’s rare to hear someone regret taking that time.
What are some year-of-service or gap year programs after college?
Options include religious volunteer programs, Teach for America and its affiliates, and international teaching programs, each with a different focus. Some center on community, some on direct service, some on personal growth through cultural immersion abroad. A general search for “year of service programs” or “volunteer gap year” is a good starting point, since specific programs can change or shut down over time.
What if the gap year job has nothing to do with my degree?
That’s actually common, and it’s not a wasted year. Working outside your field teaches you how to adapt, work with all kinds of people, and see a different industry up close. Even if you confirm the field isn’t for you long term, you walk away with people skills, patience, and self-awareness that carry into whatever job comes next.
Related Episodes
Ep. 67 Do you want to go back to school? with Carlos Piedrahita
Ep. 123 How to Pivot When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned
Ep. 9 You Can Change Your Mind: Career Edition
Ep. 85 Living location free to travel the world with Liz Erhartic
Ep. 7 What to do When You’re ‘F’unemployed