“Experience is
a hard teacher-she gives the exam first, then the lesson.
–Frank Stewart
Stay at Home
Don’t rule out staying in your hometown. For one, this is a great way to save money if you want to do something else later on. Maybe you are taking a year off to save up for college. If you can live with your parents, this likely means free rent. Cities all over the US offer volunteer experiences in fields you may be interested in. For example, if you are thinking about becoming a teacher, consider spending a couple hours a week helping out in a classroom. The rest of the time you can work to save money.
Realize that it is okay to stay in your hometown. There are many other reasons you may want to stay near home, like a sick family member, or not quite being ready to go somewhere new. If you are simply burnt out on school, it may be nice to spend a couple months at home saving money and planning what to do next.
Plenty of exciting, educational opportunities exist where you live. Here are some ideas of how to make your time interesting:
- Go exploring! Eat at restaurants you've always driven past, or visit every city park.
- Like kids? Put up flyers around town offering your services as a baby-sitter; if you have experience, this can be a great way to make additional money.
- Look up all the free events you never had time to go to before. There are probably free talks, spiritual gatherings, seminars, or who knows what. Try to go to something you have no interest in to see what it is like.
- Do you have a local community college? Many of them offer non-credit classes in dance, art, or other areas. Try taking one.
- Contact a local public sevice organization about ways to volunteer.
- Explore a rural part of town or go fruit picking at the nearest orchard.
- Gut your closet and have a yard sale with all your old stuff.
- Hang out with your old childhood friends in grown up ways.
- Trace your family lineage and start planning an exciting trip to visit distant relatives in distant lands.
I know work is probably what you are planning to do when you're done with school, but do not rule it out as a possibility while stepping out. It is also probably necessary if you are planning to finance your time off.
Work can mean a number of different things. It may mean accepting a minimum wage job in your hometown, or it may mean looking around the country for seasonal jobs (like working at an office supply store during back-to-school rush, then heading to Colorado to work at a ski resort during the winter season, and on to an outdoor science school to teach 6th graders environmental education in the spring, and then off to Alaska in the summer to work at a cannery).
There are millions of jobs available; it may just take a while to sort through them and find one you like. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Before beginning your search, make sure you have a resume. There are people at your college or high school who can help you out in finessing it. Also, there are plenty of books available on this subject.
If you
plan
to stay in your hometown, look around town for job
postings. Often people post job
opportunities in grocery
stores, libraries, or other public places. These are great
sources for jobs. Also, check out your local paper.
- See if your university has a career center. These centers can help you write resumes, practice mock interviews, and examine their listing of jobs available.
- Look online for cool jobs. Sites such as jobmonkey.com or monster.com act as clearinghouses for thousands of jobs.
- Head over to the programs page to find info on jobs. While many of the listings are for volunteer positions, some are paid employment.
- If you are planning to work abroad, figure out how you will get a work permit before going. The easiest way to do this is usually to have a business abroad "sponsor" you so you can get a visa through them. Some organizations exist to help you obtain a visa. One example is The Britain Universities North America Club, which offers short term visas (up to six months) to university students and recent grads. These visas cost $225-$595, depending on where you are going (programs available in Ireland, U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand).
- Use any connections you have. You may have more connections than you think. Talk to your parents' friends, your friends' parents, people at your church, your teachers, anyone who may know of a job available to you. You never know who will give you that one lead you need. For example, when I was sixteen I went to my aunt's wedding. I ended up talking to a man who worked for the governor of Maryland; he said I should come out East, live with my aunt in D.C., and do an internship with his office. Although I ended up turning down that offer, he inspired me to move out east for a summer. I ended up working at an inner-city summer school program.
- Don't give up! Work can be hard to find, but keep applying. Also, be proactive. Call back potential employers, and follow through on any interviews or other contacts you have. Do not wait for them to get a hold of you. If all else fails (or just for some variety), find your local temp agency and work with them.
Travel
Traveling is a great way to gain perspective not only on other cultures, but also on your own. Kyle Dickman, 23, spent part of his sophomore year of college traveling through New Zealand. He says traveling impacted him in the following way:
| Traveling gives
me insights into myself. It forces me into situations that I
would
normally not put myself into and gives me no other crutches than the
kindness of strangers and my own ability to deal with difficult
situations. Travel plays a role in my responsibility as an American and as a citizen of the world. It teaches me that my understanding of society does not hold true in other places, and enlightens me to perspectives justly critical of my own. Travel provides me with insights into others' cultures and consequentially insights into my own. It forces upon me the realities of poverty and makes me consider my own financial position as privileged. Travel makes me aware that happiness is what we decide it is, not what we buy or own. |
Travel may be all of what you do with your time off, or it can just be a part of it. Maybe you spend three months working in your hometown, than a month backpacking through Mexico, before starting an internship on the coasts of Oaxaca working with endangered sea turtles. Traveling is a great way to get to know a country and to get to know yourself.
If you plan to travel, be sure to check out some travel books (I recommend the Lonely Planet Series) before heading out. Most bookstores have an entire section devoted to travel.
In the meantime, here are a few traveling tips I have picked up along the way:
- It is far better to get to know one place than to try and rack up as many cities/countries as possible. It is easy to have the tendency when you travel to try and see as much as possible. Consider settling down in one town for awhile. This will give you the opportunity to really get and know the culture and probably make traveling a little less overwhelming.
- Read up on where you're going. It's a good idea to know a little bit about the history and the culture of where you are going, as well as the current events. This is partially to reduce your own level of ignorance and partially for safety reasons. Reconsider your travel route if, for example, the region you are headed to suddenly goes into political unrest. It is also common courtesy to the locals to know something about where they live.
- Plan a budget! See the how page for more info on financing and budgeting.
- Less is more! Always. This is in relation to how much stuff you plan to bring. The Lonely Planet Guidebooks recommend packing light, then eliminating half of what you planned to travel with and bringing twice as much money. That is probably a good mantra. (Will you really want to be carrying two sets of shoes on your back around Europe?)
Flexibility
is key.
Be open to new experiences, things not going as expected, and
so
much more. Also, the beauty of travel is that you can change
your
plans. Be open to that.
- Consider living somewhere, instead of just traveling. This goes back to the first tip. If you live somewhere, you can really immerse yourself in the culture. You also have a place to put your stuff, and can always take short trips from your new home.
- Try to learn (at least some of) the language. I am not saying you have to master the language of every place you want to travel. However, it would not hurt to learn "please", "thank you", and "I'm sorry, I do not speak ______" in the language of the country you intend to go to. And remember, a smile is universal!
- Bring with you a desire to learn about new cultures. Realize that culture shock will happen. If you can, try to see cultural differences as differences (which they are) instead of something negative.
- Be prepared for reverse culture shock! Many people realize that they will experience culture shock traveling somewhere new. However, often times reverse culture shock (the culture shock you experience returning to the U.S.) can be worse. Prepare yourself for needing time to readjust.
- Use the resources you have available. If you know someone who has been to where you want to go, talk to them about it. Use any connection you have. If your aunt tells you that her best friend's cousin lives in Germany and you can stay with him may seem like a too-distant offer, don't rule it out. Nothing beats "knowing" people in the places you travel and having a real home to stay in.
Volunteer: verb. To do charitable or helpful work without receiving pay for it.
There are a number of different reasons to spend your time volunteering; here are just a few:
- Volunteering is a way to give back. The fact that you are considering stepping out of school means you have the luxury of education (which worldwide 121 million children do not have). Use your time away from school to help others.
- Time may be the easiest thing for you to give. Being young, you may not have a lot of money to give to charitable organizations. But time is something you probably do have. Volunteering is a great option if you do not have a lot of bills or other commitments. This may be the most perfect time in your life to volunteer.
- Volunteering is a chance to do something you are really passionate about. Is there a cause, idea, or belief you feel really strongly towards? Maybe you believe all kids should have access to music, so you decide to teach inner-city kids guitar. Use your energy, passion, and youth for a good cause.
Volunteering
is a way to gain work experience.
Many places will not hire you without previous work
experience. Maybe your dream job is to work as a
medical
translator. However, it will probably be hard to get hired
with
no previous experience. Volunteering is a way to gain
that
experience so that you can then get the "real job" you want later on.
- Many non-profits rely on volunteer help. Organizations such as the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and other social service agencies count on volunteers in order to accomplish all the amazing things they do.
- Volunteering is not always easy. This may not seem like a reason to volunteer, but it means that you will gain from your experience. You may have to organize fundraisers, teach a class, work in a high stress environment, or go days without a hot shower while building houses. But the bottom line is that these experience and the responsibility that comes along with them will probably make you stronger, more independent, and more self-confident as you learn and master new skills.
- Volunteering is good for the soul. I personally think one of the greatest satisfactions in life is feeling like you are helping others or doing something to make this world a better place. Try it out, I think you might agree.
Other
than financial compensation, a volunteer position can offer most of the
advantages of a paid position. There are also beneficial
aspects
specific to volunteering. Volunteer positions are often
available in
fields and agencies that are not profit-oriented. They may
expose a
student to social problems and provide an opportunity to contribute to
their solutions. But even if the positions do not deal
directly with
social problems, the volunteer experience tends to make students more
socially responsible citizens, and fosters an appreciation of
participating in their society. While the duties performed
and job
done could be as valuable on a resume as paid experience, volunteering
tends to demonstrate an impressive motivation and commitment to the
field to a potential employer.
-Donald Casella and Catherine Brougham, Work Works: Student Jobs Open Front Doors to Careers
For information on
different volunteer organizations, check out the programs page. Some
volunteer organizations require that you pay a fee (to cover
administration costs, overhead costs, or to go directly to whoever it
is you are helping), others are free, and some may pay for your room
and board. It is important that you figure out how much it
will
cost you to volunteer, and how you will make that money beforehand. -Donald Casella and Catherine Brougham, Work Works: Student Jobs Open Front Doors to Careers
Internships
Internships are "typically one-time work or service experiences related to a student's major or career goal. The internship plan generally involves a student working in a professional setting under the supervision and monitoring of practicing professionals. Internships can be paid or unpaid and the student may or may not receive academic credit for performing the internship." (jobweb.com)
Internships are a
great
option if there is a career you are interested in but unsure about. Internships
are similar to volunteering, but in general internships offer more structure and
feedback. They are designed to give students work experience
in
their fields of interest. Internships can help you find full-time employment post graduation. A survey done in 2001 by National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 56.9% of interns were offered work after graduation. At Northeastern University in Boston, where 90% of the students participate in co-op education (similar to an internship, see the section below for more information), 77% of students participating receive offers for full-time jobs.
How do I find an internship?
If you are currently in college, check with your university about the internships they offer. Many universities have internship programs where you also have the chance to gain credit while participating. Also, look online! Sites such as Rising Star Internships (www.rsinternships.com) list a number of different internships available by subject. Or, contact a specific organization or business you are interested in working for and see if they either have internships available or would be willing to provide one for you.
Schools that incorporate "stepping out" into their curriculum
I have decided to also include a list of colleges and universities that emphasize experiential education, internships, service-learning or cooperative work experience as part of their experience. I believe these schools or programs understand that learning should involve hands-on education. Note: These schools are also included in the programs page, under schools.
Cooperative Schools
Cooperative education is when students alternate
between full-time
classroom study and full-time work experiences. The National
Commission for Co-op Education (www.co-op.edu)
has a booklet, available to download off their website, explaining some
of the benefits of co-op education. Below are some
universities
with co-op experiences:Antioch College: A small four-year college in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Students alternate between terms on campus and work experiences worldwide. "Antioch College is a community dedicated to the search for truth, the development of individual potential, and the pursuit of social justice. In order to fulfill our objectives, freedom must be matched by responsibility." (Antioch's Honor Code) Co-ops emphasize a wide-range of work experience, and do not have to be limited to a student's major.
While many co-op schools are focused on work experience for a student's career, at Antioch "work is a liberal art that is necessary and valuable for all students, and primary as a general education offering (as opposed to an extension to one's major or career plan). Work is a way to learn in the world" -Thomas R. Haugsby, Director of Antioch Co-op Program.
Drexel University: A large university located in Philadelphia with required co-op experiences (students alternate between work and school for their last three years) for the following majors: Design Arts, Engineering, Information Science and Technology, and Computer Science.
Johnson and Wales University: With over 13,000 students, JWU has six campuses around the U.S. They offer a 4-day school week and have an extensive career development program focusing on work experience.
Northeastern University: A large private university located in Boston. During their sophomore year, 90% of students go out for a six-month paid co-op experience in their field of interest. Students can repeat this experience, and many graduate with upwards of a year and a half of work. 70% receive job opportunities from their co-op employers.
Schools with Service-Learning Programs:
Service-learning
"is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful
community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the
learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen
communities." (servicelearning.org)
For an extensive list of schools with service-learning
programs, check out the following link from Evergreen College:http://www.evergreen.loyola.edu/~rcrews/sl/academic.html
Also check out the National Service Learning Clearinghouse (a government run program under the same branch as Americorps) for more information on service learning programs, schools, research, resources, etc.
According to Dr. Andrew Furco, with the University of California, Berkeley -Service-Learning Research and Development Center:
"Findings from our studies of service-learning suggest that the
engagement of students in service activities that are integrated into
the academic curriculum can increase student learning, increase
students' motivation toward school, build students' awareness of the
society around them, provide opportunities for students to explore
career options, build students' self-concept and self-esteem, and
foster collaboration and unity among students of different races,
ethnicities, and beliefs."
Distance Education Schools
Another option for students looking for alternative education opportunities is distance-education schools. "Distance education is a method of teaching in which the students are not required to be physically present at a specific location during the term. Most often, regular mail is used to send written material, videos, audiotapes, and CD-ROMs to the student and to turn in the exercises; nowadays e-mail, the Web, and video conferencing over broadband network connections are used as well" (Wikipedia). Taking some distance-education courses is also a way you can get credit while not in school; it does not have to be the only way you get your degree.
Click here for an abbreviated listing of schools and the degrees they offer.
High Schools with Online Courses
The following is a short listing of high schools that offer classes and/or high school diplomas through correspondence or distance education. All the costs listed are for 2006. If you are wishing to complete only a few of your required courses this way, check with a counselor at your high school to see if they will accept the credit.
Note: In my experience, the academic expectations of these courses can vary greatly. In high school I took two correspondence courses through BYU; one I completed in a week, the other one required a lot of time, projects, and interviewing people.
American Virtual High School: The U.S.' largest private high school, the American Virtual School offers a four year academic degree (between $1200-$1500 a year), as well as individual courses ($250 per course, and used by over 4,500 schools). Courses may be taken online, or all materials can be sent to you via mail.
Brigham Young University Independent Study: BYU offers over 700 distance-education courses ranging from 7th grade to the university level. You cannot get your diploma from them, but courses taken may transfer to your high school. Semester courses cost $105.
North Dakota Division of Individual Study: This Division, through the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, offers over 180 online courses to elementary, middle, and high school students. High school diplomas are available. Semester courses cost $97 for non-residents, and do not include textbook costs. 42 of these courses are needed to graduate.
Other
Here are two other schools with experientially based programs, or other unique factors. For more unique schools, check out Colleges that Change Lives, a listing of schools that "have two essential elements: a familial sense of communal enterprise that gets students heavily involved in cooperative rather than competitive learning, and a faculty of scholars devoted to helping young people develop their powers, mentors who often become their valued friends." -Loren Pope
Evergreen State
College:
A
small, public university in Washington state. Students receive
comprehensive written reports in lieu of grades, and participate in
"programs" in lieu of individual classes each semester. These
programs are made up of 20-25 students,three to four faculty, and combine
seminars, hands-on learning and off-campus exploration.Prescott College: Located in Tuscan, Arizona, Prescott College offers an Adult Degree program. Students set up their own courses of study, find mentors, and design their course curriculum. This is an experiential based, self-initiated, hands-on program. Click here for description.