Is One Year All It Takes? by Mark

Is One Year All It Takes? by Mark - August 2019 Scholarship Essay

Making the most of a gap year can be a difficult task as many students may struggle to find a goal to achieve. However, at this point in their lives, they should already have a career goal in mind. When I think about a gap year, I see time for discovery, planning, and enjoyment. My first goal would be to find a volunteering job related to my planned major. This could not only be a way to experience what my future will be like, but it would also be a good test to see whether or not I’m up to the task.

It would be even better if I was able to get a paying job related to my desired field instead. That way I would not need to work and volunteer. However, finding a paying job for a career that I have no experience or education in is unlikely, so it would be best to focus on volunteering and finding a separate job elsewhere.

I would also need to find a balance with work and volunteering to include time for pleasure. Having fun over that year may be tough and even stressful if my responsibilities are demanding. I believe the career options I’ve chosen are enjoyable, so even if much of my time is spent working/volunteering, I can still find pleasure in it – in a way combining work with play.

In the end, what is most important is persevering and trying to make the most out of those 12 months. I would desire to find clarity and develop a solid plan for the future. Who knows, one year could be all it takes.