"Why Use a Gap-Year Counselor?"

Submitted by Paul on Tue, 07/08/2008 - 11:19

The following story was contributed to Planet Gap Year by Holly Bull, a Gap Year Consultant and President of The Center for Interim Programs in Princeton, New Jersey. Interim is a service that enables one to pursue structured alternatives to formal education or work by matching interests with over 5,000 internships, volunteer positions, apprenticeships, cultural study programs, etc. worldwide. This "time on" can provide new direction, sharpen hazy career goals, rejuvenate those on the verge of burnout, and offer a much-needed break to students between high school and college, or in college.

"Why Use a Gap-Year Counselor?” by Holly Bull

As a gap-year counselor, I was delighted to be asked to write this article. There are those who may assume that taking a gap year is now a fairly simple task with the aid of the internet and various books and articles referencing this option for students. The reality is that it is not so easy to do on one’s own.

Recent media hasn’t helped clarify the challenges of creating a gap year. This year, the "New York Times" and "USA Today" featured gap-year students on or talking about their gap year without making it clear that most of them worked with a gap-year counselor to plan their interesting array of experiences. Not only did I find this misleading for readers, it was especially vexing for me given that they were all students with whom I had worked!
I am, admittedly, biased in favor of using a gap-year counselor to help design one’s gap year. The Center for Interim Programs, of which I am president, was founded in 1980 and is the oldest independent gap-year counseling organization in the U.S. We have personally worked with over 7,000 families, many of whom came to us after finding it difficult to create and organize a gap year on their own.

To be fair, I don’t assert that everyone should seek out a gap-year counselor. If an enterprising student is willing to take on all research and legwork, his or her sense of accomplishment and ownership can be huge and complete. On the other hand, there are some serious pitfalls to be avoided, e.g. poor choice of program, too much down time at home, lack of sufficient structure, safety issues, etc. Utilizing expert help during this precious year in one’s life saves time, money and worry.

The following are six major benefits of working with a gap-year counselor:

1) A structured forum in which students can identify and prioritize interests.

When I meet with students, I don’t have preconceived notions or judgments about them or their interests. And, in the best sense, I don’t care what they choose to do during their gap year. I care about high-caliber, safe placements and making sensible recommendations for them but ultimately the year is a student’s unique creation. A good gap-year counselor listens to students without an “ought” or “should” in mind and with pure intent to determine interests and speak in the realm of possibility. After that, comes the laying out of options relating to those interests, followed by tips on how to weave them all together.

2) Experienced brainstorming regarding the range of available options and reassurance that options presented are tried and true.

Although the internet and proliferation of programs make it easier to find options nowadays, the downside is that one can feel overwhelmed by the glut of information. And there is no certainty as to whether a program is stellar or a dud or some variation in between. Surfing the net can also take an inordinate amount of time, especially when combined with the time required for due diligence on each option.

Whereas, in one hour-long session, an experienced gap-year counselor can help a student identify his or her interests and come up with more tried-and-true program options than that student could fit into a year!

3) Support for parents and students.

Even as adults we can regress when in the presence of our parents. Gap-year counselors provide a two-fold benefit as intermediaries. First, they take the onus off parents having to orchestrate their teenager’s gap year at a time when students are making a serious bid for independence. Second, they allow students to feel more autonomy and support as these young adults take a hand in creating their life for a year. A gap-year counselor can also reassure both parents and students that the gap year is recognized as a valid and valuable option in the U.S. The fact that many other students have successfully navigated their gap years with wonderful results can be of great comfort.

4) Safety concerns addressed for each placement.

For parents in particular, this is a prime concern: “Will my child be safe on this program or in this location?” Gap-year counselors vet programs through on-site visits, meetings with the people who direct programs, and provide feedback from alumni who have recently attended the program a student is considering. Also, most gap-year counselors do not receive money from programs when they make a student referral; they are, therefore, more impartial judges of quality.

5) Ongoing support and information throughout the gap year.

As students go through their gap year, new insights and possibilities arise and they often change their minds about what they want to do next. This is normal. A gap-year counselor periodically checks in on students and sends new options upon request. If a problem shows up on a program or a change of heart occurs in the student, there is great value in being able to turn to one’s counselor for intervention/mediation support, or a swift back-up placement.

6) Cost considerations.

For families concerned about the cost of a gap year on top of the cost of college, it can make a huge difference to learn of solid options that provide students with room and board (housing and food) in exchange for their labor. Travel and miscellaneous expenses are all that are then left to cover. These room-and-board options are far less likely to be found through internet searches or show up at gap-year fairs. Gap-year counselors usually have a wide array of them to offer and can save students considerable money during their year.

Clearly there are fees to be paid to gap-year counselors, but a good question to ask is “How much is my time and peace-of-mind worth?” Families need to seriously consider the value of knowing about low-cost options, tried-and-true placements, on-going support, and saving time and worry during the year. Also, depending on one’s budget, some gap-year counselors, Interim included, offer scholarships for their consulting fee.

Below is a list of qualified gap-year counselors in the United States. Many of us conduct a free initial consulting session without obligation. It is well worth exploring the possibilities with counselors who know this unique field inside and out!

Holly Bull & Joanna Lazarek

Center for Interim Programs

NJ#609/683-4300

MA#617/547-0980

David Denman

[email protected]

CA#415/332-1831

Bob Gilpin

Where Are You Headed

MA#617-698-8977

Marsha Ray

SEEC-Student Extended Experiences Counseling