Gap Year Fairs Lawrence Lockhart Email: gapyearfairs.lockhart@virgin.net

What are your concerns? TIMES ARE TOUGH FOR STUDENTS - The recession - Youth unemployment - Graduate unemployment - Tuition fees - Inflation THINGS ARE NOT GOING TO GET BETTER ANY TIME SOON

What to do about it? Option 1: Get a job Option 2: Go straight to university Option 3: Go travelling Option 4: Get work experience Option 5: Go volunteering

OPTION 1: GET A JOB WHY? I hate studying? I want time for myself? I want money to spend? I have skills that can earn me a living? HOW? Go to job centre, employment agencies Look in local papers Talk to schools careers service There are always ‘unsocial’ jobs available PROBLEMS? Not enough well-paid jobs locally? Lose contact with friends? I need training for a career?

OPTION 2: GO STRAIGHT TO UNIVERSITY WHY? Better career prospects Higher lifetime income Lifelong intellectual and cultural enrichment Fun and friends HOW? Apply at school / college through UCAS, or Apply after ‘Results Day’ PROBLEMS? How to choose the right course Might I drop out? Tuition fees, living costs, graduate debt Are there enough jobs for graduates?

Option 3: INDEPENDENT TRAVEL WHY? I need a break! See the world, new experiences Fun and friends HOW? Use student travel specialists: STA Travel Get safety & health advice COSTS? How long is a piece of string? PROBLEMS? Will it improve my career prospects? Drunken British teenagers on the rampage? Will I want to go to university afterwards?

OPTION 4: WORK EXPERIENCE WHY? Improve your CV and employment prospects Put some money in the bank for university Rethink your HE & career plans HOW? Choose: UK or overseas? UK: YINI, Accountancy, PGL, holiday companies, etc UK: Day release degrees Overseas: BUNAC, Oyster, Gap Canada, Work NZ, etc PROBLEMS? If you work overseas, there will be costs Will you miss out on the fun? Will you spend all the money you earn?

OPTION 5: VOLUNTEER WHY? Experience a different world Give something back, make a difference Time and space to rethink your future Improve your CV and employment prospects HOW? Raise the money (a valuable experience) Research reputable, ethical organisations Minimum 2 - 3 months project work Independent travel afterwards PROBLEMS? Costs: £2000 to £5000 Will you want to go to university afterwards? What do your parents think about gap years?

PLAN FOR A VOLUNTEERING GAP YEAR (A gap year lasts 15 months) A project or programme in a working situation Independent travel Raise the money yourself

MINI GAP VOLUNTEERING Most gap organisations offer short projects HOW LONG? 2 weeks to 3 months WHEN? Summer after A levels University vacations OUR ADVICE: Give the project as much time as you can spare

What do past volunteers say? “Every important decision I have made since has been influenced by my gap year experiences” (Minty Gilders, ex Africa & Asia Venture) “If you look at the “buzz” words for any application form or job interview, you can relate them to a gap year experience: teamwork, leadership, initiative, independence, creativity, resourcefulness, motivation.” (Amy Daw / Green, ex Lattitude) “My gap year gave me the time to pick up new skills and qualifications …..and helped to guide my career choices. The biggest impact my gap year had on me was increased confidence and maturity.” (Rupert Laing, ex Africa & Asia Venture) “My decision, age 16, to do a year away is probably the best choice I have made, and I am reaping its benefits to this day.” (Chris Hitch, ex Project Trust) “It has been a great way to experience the culture of a country close up, whilst developing a lot of skills important in my future career and personal life.” (Alex Clarke, ex Raleigh) “The school was absolutely fantastic and the teachers were lovely. They obviously needed our help and really appreciated everything we did.” (Ellen Fitten, Oyster Worldwide) “ I gained knowledge useful for my degree, got sponsored through uni, and I have a year of work experience on my CV.” (Joseph Harris, Year in Industry)

WHAT CAN YOU DO IN A GAP YEAR? The main options Teaching and community work worldwide Expeditions and conservation work worldwide Caring for the disadvantaged (UK or overseas) Paid UK placements in engineering, finance and management Working with children: au pair, summer camps, activity centres Skills development: IT, office, business, languages Sports and outdoor pursuits: play, be coached, coach children Work & travel programmes: N America, OZ & NZ, China, Russia, etc Work experience: medical, law, journalism, tourism (UK or overseas) …… and many more

Some other possibilities Archaeology Art History courses in Italy Cookery courses Drama at Stratford-on-Avon Ski & watersports instructor courses and many, many more

WHY TAKE A GAP YEAR? A break from study and examinations Independence & confidence and a sense of achievement A chance to rethink your future You will get more out of university Learn new skills Improve your employment prospects Getting things into perspective Fun and new friends

FINANCING YOUR GAP YEAR: SOME OPTIONS WHICH CAN PAY FOR THEMSELVES Industrial / commercial placements Social / caring work Working with children ‘Work and Travel’ programmes THE HIGH COST OPTIONS Teaching / community work overseas Expeditions / conservation work Outdoor pursuits and sport Skills courses OUR ADVICE: If you DON’T join a project you may spend just as much money doing other things, or doing nothing!

HOW TO RAISE THE MONEY Fundraising DON’T ASK YOUR PARENTS TO PAY! Paid work for part of the year Work as you travel Fundraising Letters to businesses and charities Bursaries DON’T ASK YOUR PARENTS TO PAY!

How to choose your gap year organisation Decide what you want to do. Look at several organisations that match your interests. (Sources: our database; Year Out Group; gapadvice.com; websites) Get contact details of past participants. Talk to them. (Was there a selection process? Were they met on arrival? Was there in-country support? What work did they do? What accommodation was provided? Did they feel safe? Was it value for money?) E-mail us if you wish to. (Lawrence Lockhart, gapyearfairs.lockhart@virgin.net)

FINALLY Get out of your comfort zone and GO FOR IT!