Young people will often question the option of taking a gap year. A gap year has many pros and cons that first must be considered and explored before committing to such an important decision. A thoroughly thought out, well investigated and well-developed gap year plan that involves in-depth discussions with parents and others can be a highly beneficial activity.
But often young people after year 12 feel they need a break without actually thinking this through and understanding what it means to take 12 months off from formal study or work. The risk of a 12-month break is that you may end up not leaving the couch playing computer games and left feeling dissatisfied with your life direction. You also are not upskilling yourself and developing your employability skills which can increase your risk of long-term unemployment.
The youth unemployment rate in Australia is extremely high at 13.48% for 2016 for young people aged 15 -24. These figures are projected to increase to 14.08% in 2020. Placing young people in the highest unemployment bracket increases their risk of long-term unemployment, feelings of hopelessness, reduced optimism for future success, low self-esteem, increased family conflict and homelessness.
Well planned and thought out gap years can be a great way to experience many new and exciting opportunities that will help you with selecting a study pathway as well as build on your employability skills. Many Gap Year programs that are available include volunteer programs, working in Australia, working overseas, travelling or overseas exchange. The Australia Defence Force even offers a gap year program. This program allows young people to experience what it would be like in the defence force for 12 months, before signing up for several years into a defence program. Universities also understand young people need opportunities to broaden their experiences and often offer overseas study exchange programs. It is crucial to take the time to exhaustively research all possibilities.
First, remember that year 12 finishes at the end of November and most tertiary courses start around the beginning of March, giving you a three-month break. Use this time to relax, holiday, travel, work etc. Second, if you have a gap year program in mind research it well, attend the information sessions and talk with people about their experiences. Lastly, always have a BACK UP PLAN it is important to always keep your options open. This means taking the time to investigate future study options and consider putting in an application with a university. Many universities and TAFE institutions will allow you to defer your studies until the next semester or even the next year. This is a great back up plan and keeps your options open and your foot in the door. Most importantly, seek advice and support from a qualified Careers Practitioner at Transitional Support.
Past employment and work experience will also give you valuable insight into who you are and what type of future employment you may like to explore. However, a lot of young people will often say to me ‘I don’t want to flip burgers nor do I want to be a check out chick.’ The reality is that, particularly when you are young and trying to build up your transferable employability skills, working within any industry will give you experience, build on your skills and open more employment options.
There are many positive attributes to working within big retail and fast food outlets. McDonalds often will formalise their staff training with a Certificate III in Retail. Again not only are you gaining valuable employability skills such as customer service, money handling, food preparation, food safety, and hygiene, are just a few transferrable skills to add to the resume plus a formal Australian standard certificate qualification.
There are many organisations, both small and large, who offer people vast incentives to study on the job while working within the company. Some employers may even offer a traineeship or apprenticeship, and this is not only a benefit for the business who is taking the risk and time to train and upskill their staff, but also a significant bonus to you as an individual as these skills and qualifications can be transferred into your next position.
Having skills and working within an industry before or while formalising your qualifications is an invaluable opportunity. It allows you to decide if this career is one in which you wish to peruse with formal qualifications as well as making you more attractive to a potential employer. As the company knows you not only have the formal qualifications but more importantly you have the commitment, ability and understanding to work within the industry. Prior experience within an industry will also support your future studies and understanding of the theory learnt during your studies, as you can apply processes acquired directly to your daily tasks at work.
Another important aspect of deciding educational pathways is also considering if you will be employable after you have graduated. Studying topics that are interesting to you and you find enjoyable is beneficial to successfully completing your qualification, but it is also important to investigate ‘job prospects’ meaning that after you have spent so much time and money on furthering your education whether or not you will you be able to find employment in your chosen field of study. An example of this is a Bachelor of Hospitality Management—a perfect degree for an adult who has been in the hospitality industry for some time and is looking to formalise their experience with a qualification. A young person with no hospitality experience, however, may struggle to find employment in the hospitality industry as a manager, especially straight out of university with only experience with the theories. They may find that they have to work their way from the ground up, building on their skills before they reach management level.
It is important to be cautious of institutions offering diplomas and degrees where there are no job prospects or limited opportunities available within the industry. If your passion is for a chosen field that might be difficult to find paid employment, together we can explore how to incorporate your passion, skills and qualifications to help you be successful in your chosen field.
Your employability and career story is as unique to you as your fingerprint. It starts from when you were little to where you are right now. It is your story, and it will grow with you. As you develop and change so will your career interests. An in-depth understanding of yourself and your self-actualisation will help you establish and build the skills required to be your own career advisor through your career journey.
Reflect back on your past, now think about:
Using this information create a timeline of your personal story over the years—identifying several stories you remember and connect with. We will use these stories to help you to identify your transferable skill set. It is always a great exercise to ascertain what you don’t like doing.
Fun fact: On average, a young person will have 15 jobs in their lifetime before they turn 40. This number is expected to increase.
An important part of understanding career development is that education is lifelong. The best way to stay employable and to ensure you have numerous opportunities is by keeping your skills up to date. By keeping your knowledge current and relevant, your skill set will always be in demand. Maintaining currency is achieved by reading journals, widely reading, attending seminars, participating in workshops and upskilling yourself with formal qualifications.
In Australia, we are very fortunate to have many avenues to further our Education and many institutions which provide those opportunities. Much emphasis and pressure is placed on young people to get their best results possible in year 12. This perceived importance of the ‘best results’ can put many young people into a whirlwind of fear for their future, placing enormous pressure on the family. Furthering your education post school is easily attainable. If you do not have the immediate results to get into the University of your dreams, there are alternative pathways that will help you to achieve your dream career.
Before deciding on which pathway to study, it is important to discover who you are and which career direction best suits you, especially since the dropout rate in the first year of university is as high as 50 percent and incorrect pathway options are unsatisfactory and costly.
Another important consideration is that further study is attainable for everyone no matter your age. Transitional Support believes that tertiary education is achievable for anyone who has the motivation to succeed. People are most motivated when they are aware of their self, their needs, have clear goals and understanding of their self-actualisation. Individuals with an understanding of their Emotional Intelligence and an ongoing self-development have proven to outperform those with a high level of Intelligence (IQ). Taking time to reflect and discover your story will help you towards a rewarding career pathway.
Year 12 Get Me Out of Here For the past 12 years every Monday to Friday you have been getting up ready for school, playing sport every weekend, and gaming. Each day you have been working hard for your school results. For the most part, you have enjoyed school or maybe you are ready … Continued
Transitional Support would like to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s First People and Traditional Custodians. We value their cultures, identities, and continuing connection to country, waters, kin and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and are committed to making a positive contribution to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, by providing services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate and inclusive.
Transitional Support is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. Transitional Support welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.
