Work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies

In some countries, young people are encouraged to work or travel for a year between finishing high school and starting university studies.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this.

Model Solution

Many young people are told that before enrolling in college, they should spend a year working or travelling. Although gaining experience and saving money are the main benefits, postponing careers and decreasing the desire to study are the associated drawbacks with this trend.

The primary benefits of a gap year are expanding one’s knowledge of the world and earning money. For students who have just graduated from secondary school, working or travelling for a year will expose them to life beyond the educational system. Additionally, third-level education is very costly, and many students choose to work for a year and save money before beginning their studies. A typical student needs to spend thousands of dollars for their graduate degree. Many drop studies due to a lack of money. Hence, taking a year off help them strengthen their financial condition.

Despite these benefits, students miss out on a year that might have been utilised to improve their careers, and they often develop a taste for working or travelling and are resentful of returning to a life of study. Due to the competitive nature of employment markets, an additional year of experience may make a significant difference when looking for jobs, putting individuals who took a gap year at a disadvantage. Additionally, others choose to forego education entirely and choose a profession that is either under their skills or does not provide the same possibilities as their future career could have.

In conclusion, taking a vacation from academics may be beneficial if it enables individuals to save money or gain knowledge about the world. They should, however, take care that this does not result in a delay in the start of their professions and a loss of faith in education.