Gap years have become more and more common these days (probably due to COVID-19). Let’s dig a little deeper into how a few Miami students have spent their own gap years.
Gap years can be defined as a year long absence from school where the individual taking the gap year is enhancing their educational or professional career in different ways.
When I was in high school, gap years were often questioned by teachers when students brought up the topic. “Why would you take a year off and potentially put yourself behind in your education?” It was definitely a hot topic when COVID-19 began in late 2019/early 2020. For me, it was my senior year when the thought of a gap year crossed my mind. I was sitting in my English class and it was announced that we would be having a few weeks off school. Weeks turned into months and eventually I found out I wasn’t going back to school to finish off my senior year. Just like that, I graduated. I didn’t feel prepared for the next step, so I asked myself “do I take a gap year?”
While I ended up deciding not to take a gap year, many others did. And it has become more common since then. People tend to have tons of questions regarding the decision to take a gap year. So let’s meet three Miami students who took a gap year and what they did with it.
Caleb
Sophomore Caleb Collins took a gap year between his first and second years at Miami because of COVID-19. He spent the year attending an EMT academy and getting certified. His experience helped him narrow down his career path. He decided to switch his original major from chemical engineering to biomedical engineering after seeing the outdated medical devices that EMTs were using.
He wants to make a difference in being able to help update the devices for first responders so they are better able to do their job.
Mia
COVID-19 was also the catalyst behind the decision of first-year Mia Hankenson to take a gap year after her senior year of high school. During her year between high school and college, she attended basic and technical military training for the Air National Guard. She also earned her yoga certification. She learned a lot from her time in the Air National Guard, but she considers the yoga certification as a possible secondary career path, and a way to make a living if her career path changes.
Zach
First-year Zach McCoy took a gap year after his senior year of high school to work full time at a veterinarian clinic while starting his own side business of grooming animals to save money for school. One of the most important lessons he learned during his gap year was that you don’t have to stick to what your initial career path is. He learned through his experiences in the veterinary field that it wasn’t the fit for him. He has since switched to a major in the Sports Leadership and Management field.
Are gap years here to stay?
There was definitely a rise in students taking advantage of gap years during the COVID-19 pandemic. It made sense for both students who didn’t feel comfortable with the risks associated with the virus and for students who wanted to wait for restrictions to be lifted for a more “normal” college experience. Are gap years here to stay? Only time will tell!
