Thinking about taking a gap year? You might be pondering the available job opportunities and how you can transform it into a remarkable year…
While taking a break from formal education, many individuals think about what to do in a gap year and many choose to take on experiences that enrich their lives and enhance their resumes.
If you’re feeling a little unsure about how to kickstart your gap year, rest assured.
In this guide, we’re going to delve into jobs that will make your gap year an interesting and fun one but also that will look good on your resume!
First, let’s address what a gap year job actually is.
A gap year is a time after high school or college when young people wonder which path to take further.
So, instead of rushing into making major decisions, you can simply take advantage of a gap year job.
There are many benefits to taking a gap year, such as:
Gap year at home or gap year abroad… that is the question!
If you decide to move abroad for the year, your first step will be to make sure that you’re eligible to work in your chosen destination.
Whether you’ll require a visa for your chosen gap year destination will depend on your nationality and whether or not you are eligible to work in that specific country.
A common visa that will allow you to work is the working holiday visa. This type of visa allows young people from certain nations to work and travel in a country for a specified period.
Some common destinations for working holidays include:
Let’s take a look at some of the most common gap year jobs.
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Love the snow? Why not spend your gap year working on the slopes?
To obtain a job like this for your gap year, you will first need to obtain EA Ski and Snowboard Training. You can do so in the following countries: the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and Switzerland.
The great thing about the EA Ski and Snowboard Training program is that it will not only help you become qualified but you are also guaranteed a job offer. You can also look for ski and snowboard instructor jobs in these countries once your training is complete.
The day-to-day work of an instructor typically involves guiding and teaching individuals or groups how to ski or snowboard effectively and safely. This might include:
The daily work can vary based on factors like the location of the ski resort, the type of clients, and your level of experience.
Pay depends on several factors, including:
Working as a ski or snowboard instructor during your gap year can be a valuable addition to your resume. You’ll be able to demonstrate transferable skills such as effective communication, teaching, and interpersonal skills. You will also be able to develop your leadership skills as you will be instructing others, ensuring their safety, and managing a group.
Planning to start work in places like Canada or New Zealand? You will most likely need a visa. A great option is a working holiday visa as it allows you to live and work in the country for a period of time.
At Visa First, you can apply for either a Canadian Working Holiday Visa or a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa, depending on what country you have chosen to travel to.
Why not work as an English tutor on your year off?
This is a suitable job if you already hold a bachelor’s degree and are fluent in English.
Note that to teach English abroad, you will need a TEFL certificate.
Prior experience is not necessarily required but it’s certainly a plus!
This gap year job is a great way to meet new people and have amazing experiences while giving back to the communities you’ll work in.
You would most likely choose to work in a country where English is not the native language.
Here are some countries you can consider with your TEFL certificate:
Teaching English will look great on your resume as it demonstrates communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
If you’re outdoorsy and would like to learn new skills, then a camp counselor might be the right role for you during your gap year.
As a camp counselor, you typically work with young people at camp and organize activities for campers.
Qualifications required to work as a camp counselor abroad can vary depending on the country, camp, and the specific role you’re applying for.
Although formal qualifications may not be necessary, in many cases, having experience working with children or in a related field (like education, coaching, or outdoor activities) can be valuable.
Other skills that can make you a more attractive candidate include skills in areas like arts and crafts, sports, music, or outdoor activities.
Note that some camps may require you to have CPR and first aid certification, as safety is a top priority when working with children.
Here are some countries where you can work as a camp counselor:
While working as a camp counselor, you will have the opportunity to develop a number of skills including:
You may need to apply for a working holiday visa.
Note that there are two different types of visas you could apply for:
The differences lie in the country you are from, education requirements, and more!
Read more:
Australian Working Holiday Visa vs. Work & Holiday Visa – What’s the difference?
As a nanny, you take care of children while their parents are away.
Your responsibilities can vary widely. You might be responsible for childcare, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and possibly helping with schoolwork or activities.
It’s important that you clearly define your responsibilities and schedule with the host family to avoid misunderstandings later.
Formal qualifications aren’t always required. However, having previous experience with children, such as babysitting, volunteering, or relevant certifications, can be beneficial.
If you work as a nanny during your gap year, you will be able to add the following to your resume:
Note that depending on the country you want to go to, language skills might be essential for effective communication with both the children and the host family.
Some popular destinations for working as a nanny include:
Read also:
Here’s how to get your New Zealand Working Holiday Visa in 2023!
You can apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa!
This visa will give you the opportunity to travel and work in New Zealand for up to 12 months.
Apply for a New Zealand Working Holiday Visa today!
Similar to being a nanny, you can work as an au pair, where you provide childcare and light household tasks.
However, as an au pair you work for the family and in exchange you get accommodation and some money too.
This is a popular choice for those who want to experience cultural exchange, improve their language skills, and work with a host family.
Au pair working hours can vary, but they typically range from 25 to 45 hours per week.
Popular destinations for au pair opportunities include:
When it comes to having au pair experience, similar to a nanny, this is a great addition to your resume!
You may be eligible for the Canadian Working Holiday Visa, which allows you to stay in Canada for up to 12 or 24 months, depending on your country of citizenship.
Apply for a Canadian Working Holiday Visa today!
Working on a farm is another job to consider for your gap year!
Farm work can be a rewarding and educational experience as you can gain hands-on experience in agriculture, connect with nature, and learn about sustainable farming practices.
You can learn practical skills related to farming, like planting, harvesting, and machinery operation, from which you will develop skills like teamwork, problem-solving, time management and attention to detail.
Farm work is popular in many countries, especially those with strong agricultural traditions. Some common countries to work on a farm during a gap year include:
The compensation for working on a farm during a gap year can vary widely depending on the country you’re in, the type of farm work, the local cost of living, and the specific arrangement you have with the farm.
Regardless, ensure you have a clear understanding of what you’ll receive in exchange for your work.
Apply for your working holiday visa!
Working as a chef can be a fantastic way to immerse yourself in a different culture, learn culinary skills, and gain valuable work experience.
Some countries you can consider are:
If you’re considering this type of work, make sure to research the requirements for working in the culinary industry in each country. For example, the visa regulations, language requirements, qualifications or experience you may need.
The pay per hour as a chef will depend on your position as well as the country.
Want to get to know other people who are travelling? Then try getting a job in a hostel during your gap year.
Working in a hostel can also be a great way to enhance your social skills as you’ll be doing plenty of interacting.
As well as getting to know other travelers, you can also gain great experience that you can add to your resume, like, working under pressure, providing exceptional customer service, and handling diverse situations.
The compensation for working in a hostel during your gap year can vary widely depending on the location of the hostel, the specific role you’re taking on, the country’s labour laws, and the hostel’s policies.
Some forms of compensation for working in a hostel include:
Apply for your working holiday visa!
Vibrant atmosphere, great crowds and performances. Ever consider working as music festival staff?
Festival staff positions can include roles like ticketing, event setup, crowd management, artist hospitality, marketing, and more. So, there are plenty of roles you can choose from.
The thing to note about working as staff for music festivals is that they are seasonal, so your job might only last for the duration of the festival, therefore, it may not be ideal if you’re looking for a year-round job.
Compensation for festival staff will depend on:
To get accurate information about compensation for a specific festival, it’s best to directly contact the festival organizers or check their official job listings.
The great thing about working as festival staff is you can add this experience to your resume and include skills like customer service skills, teamwork, multitasking, time management and more!
Do you enjoy interacting with people, learning about different cultures and have a passion for history, art or nature? Then being a tour guide during your gap year could be a cool job to choose!
Being a tour guide will give you the chance to interact with people from various backgrounds, cultures, and age groups which can be great for your interpersonal skills.
As a tour guide responsibilities revolve around providing informative, engaging, and safe experiences for tourists and visitors.
The specific tasks and duties of a tour guide can vary depending on the type of tour, the location, and the company you work for. Some common tasks include:
At Visa First, we help you secure your visa so that you can prepare for your destination stress-free.
We cover visas for a number of other countries, some of which are Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
You will start by completing an online application form and providing us with the requested documents. We will handle the entire process from there, ensuring you get your visa as soon as possible!
Australia’s diverse landscapes, friendly locals, and incredible opportunities have made it a magnet for travelers, adventurers, and professionals from all corners of the world. But to embark on this remarkable journey, you’ll need to apply for one of the visa options for Australia.
Thailand is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, rich cultural heritage, vibrant cities, and diverse attractions, which draw millions of tourists from around the world every year.
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