What happens if you take a gap year, or two, or three, or however many you decide you need? Will reapplying to school get more difficult? What things should you know before taking a gap year? And will you ultimately end up in a better place having taken one than without? In this episode we explore if gap years simply a way for rich kids to travel the world without worry or perhaps they serve a crucial purpose in the lives of low-income youth and their path towards a meaningful career. We talk with students about their gap year experiences and with a previous undergraduate advisor at stanford university to help us better understand gap years, how to decide if they’re right for you, and how to approach your parents about your decision to take one.

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About Our Partners:

GrownKid is made possible by the Schultz Family Foundation, dedicated to helping young people unlock their full potential and successfully navigate to fulfilling careers.

GrownKid is made in partnership with Joy Coalition where purpose driven content meets powerful storytelling. From 13 reasons Why to unprisoned, Joy Coalition projects are made to bridge generations and drive groundbreaking conversations.

Interested in a career in mental health? Check out the Youth Mental Health Corps – a new program created by the Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest and AmeriCorps - where anyone with a high school degree can gain experience, skills, and a credential during a year of paid service in the mental health field. Learn more at youthmentalhealthcorps.org

Featured Guests:

Julie Lythcott-Haims: @jlythcotthaims, Former undergraduate advising officer at Stanford University, author of How to Raise an Adult — advocate for compassionate parenting and self-discovery.

Paige Censale: @paigeee.c, took three gap years to explore different career paths and gain extensive hands-on experience, to help discover her passion. After accumulating valuable practical knowledge, she was accepted into Brown University to further pursue her professional goals.

Resources:

The Opportunity Network - supports underrepresented students through college access programs, career development workshops, professional networking events, and mentorship opportunities. Its goal is to provide students with the tools they need for career success and growth.

The Gap Year Association - promotes the benefits of structured gap year experiences by offering program directories, guidance for planning, accreditation for gap year programs, and research on their advantages.