Year Out

More and more people are opting to take a year out at some point in their lives. People who take a year out vary greatly in age and career level. Our Year Out page takes a look at some of the reasons why the idea of taking a year out has become so popular.

Why take a year out?

Most people who've taken a year out generally agree it was the best decision they've ever made. Most importantly, taking a year out gives you the chance to step outside of your comfort zone and travel or work abroad. Taking a year out is a great opportunity for you to try something new and exciting. A year out gives you some breathing space and time to assess what you want from life, away from the pressured environment of the education system or workplace.

The really great thing about taking a year out is that employers and universities alike genuinely appreciate candidates who have worked and travelled abroad. Indeed, universities positively encourage taking a year out these days, offering deferrals to candidates who've taken a year out. They know, from experience, that many students straight from college drop out in their first year - when they realise they made a mistake and the course they've chosen isn't suited to them. Students returning from a year out are generally more enthusiastic about returning to study and are more likely to make the right decision about their future.

If you are working, taking a year out doesn't necessarily mean you'll have to quit your job and look for a new employer when you get back. More and more companies these days are acknowledging the ever-increasing popularity of taking a year out by offering unpaid sabbaticals to staff that have been with the company for a specified number of years - with the promise that their position will be kept open for them if they return within an agreed time. If you're a civil servant you even have the option of taking two sabbatical during your career. 

What type of person takes a year out?

The stereotypical person taking a year out if they're still in education is either someone who has just finished their A-levels and wants to take a year out before starting university or, similarly, someone who has just finished university and wants to take a year out before launching in to their working career.

There is no standard stereotype of someone who is already on the career ladder taking a year out. People taking a year out can greatly vary in age and at what stage they are at in their career when they take a year out. For example, it might be someone who has always regretted never having taken a year out while they were a student and finally decided to put this right. It could also, for example, be someone who is re-thinking their career and who decides to take a year out in order to try and make some important decisions. It would be wrong to assume, however, that people who take a year out are unhappy at work. Most people taking a year out simply want to have a good time, and ‘re-charge their batteries' in the process before returning to work.

Travelling alone on your year out might seem a little scary but the reality is that it's usually far easier to meet new people if you're on your own. It can also be a lot less hassle when it comes to making decisions on your year out - you've no one else to answer to but yourself! 

Does a ‘year' out really have to be a year?

Despite its name, a year out can be as long or short as you want. If you're not comfortable taking a year out then, of course, it's fine to go away for a month or two if your prefer. Even within this sort of timescale you'll be amazed just how much you can still do on a ‘year' out. You're almost certain to return from your year out with a refreshing new perspective on life and, in all probability, with some newly acquired skills to boost your CV as well. 
 
Where can I go and what can I do my year out?

Where you go and what you do on a year out depends where you are interested in travelling to and exactly what you personally want from your year out. A year out, within reason, can be whatever you want it to be. You may want to go backpacking, travel around one specific country or perhaps do something really rewarding like working on a charity project.


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