How to Use a Gap Year to Make Some Extra Cash

Posted by MoneySavvy on Jun 8th, 2010 | no comments home title

Traditionally, most students in the United States have entered college in the year following their high school graduation. But in many other countries, students are more likely to take a year off, known as a “gap year.” In recent years, this practice has also become more common in the U.S.

American students often take a gap year to do volunteer work abroad. This is certainly a worthwhile activity, because it allows the student to see other parts of the world and learn about different cultures while helping others. But for those who need money for college, it’s not always the most practical thing to do.

An increasing number of upcoming college students are using their gap year to work and earn money. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they have to keep the job they had during high school. There are lots of ways that they can make money and gain valuable life and/or job experience. Here are some ways to accomplish that.

Look for a paid internship. Most internship programs are geared toward current college students, but some will accept recent high school graduates. Your high school counselor or the college you plan to attend may be able to help you find such a program. The pay probably won’t be outstanding, but if you save as much as possible, you should have a nice sum to start college with.

Find a job in the hospitality industry. Cruise lines, hotels and other travel-related industries usually have positions that high school graduates can fill, and they provide an opportunity for travel within your home country or abroad. Pay varies depending on the specific job, but some pay quite well.

Apply for jobs at tourist attractions, either in your area or somewhere else. Some attractions are seasonal while others are open year-round, so you can choose one that allows you to work when you want to. If you’d like to have the summer off, for example, you could apply for a job at a ski resort.

If you’re looking to earn money specifically for your education, consider joining AmeriCorps. This federal volunteer program allows young men and women to earn college grants in exchange for services such as tutoring, homebuilding and cleaning up disaster areas. Serving in AmeriCorps also looks good on college and job applications.

Taking a year off from school doesn’t mean you’re lazy. There’s nothing wrong with taking a break before moving on to higher education. And if you use that year wisely, you could earn enough money to help pay your college expenses. You could also avoid having to work during your first year of school if you have sufficient grants or scholarships to cover your tuition. And as well as the monetary benefits, you could gain job experience and knowledge that will help you throughout college and beyond.