To gap year, or not to gap year; that is the question.

[magpienato]

I've posted on here before about my aspirations on becoming a Civil Engineer. I know the courses I need to do at Unis and I'm putting in the effort in year 12 at the moment to get a decent ATAR (aiming around 70 to 80s) which should give me a chance at entering the majority of Civil Engineering postgraduate courses.

And while I'm keen on my career path, I do like the idea of having a gap year just to take a break. I'm also interested in doing the ADF gap year program either next year or the year after so that should take me 2 years out of school before I go back to Uni. I am confident that I can will myself to get back to studying after this time period.

So the question is, should I take a gap year just because I can? Or is there a benefit in 'getting ahead' in my career earlier rather than later?

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

I've posted on here before about my aspirations on becoming a Civil Engineer. I know the courses I need to do at Unis and I'm putting in the effort in year 12 at the moment to get a decent ATAR (aiming around 70 to 80s) which should give me a chance at entering the majority of Civil Engineering postgraduate courses.

And while I'm keen on my career path, I do like the idea of having a gap year just to take a break. I'm also interested in doing the ADF gap year program either next year or the year after so that should take me 2 years out of school before I go back to Uni. I am confident that I can will myself to get back to studying after this time period.

So the question is, should I take a gap year just because I can? Or is there a benefit in 'getting ahead' in my career earlier rather than later?

There's minimal benefit to finishing your course earlier so if you have plans for a gap year then definitely do it. It's a good opportunity to do things like backpacking or living/working abroad which your circumstances will never be more convenient for.

Gap years are only a bad idea when your plan is being a live-at-home bum working 20 hours a week at Coles and maybe going on a three week Contiki tour mid-year, as that's just wasting a year IMO.

 

[Gigantic]

Above post is right on the money. Do it.

 

[magpienato]

There's minimal benefit to finishing your course earlier so if you have plans for a gap year then definitely do it. It's a good opportunity to do things like backpacking or living/working abroad which your circumstances will never be more convenient for.

Gap years are only a bad idea when your plan is being a live-at-home bum working 20 hours a week at Coles and maybe going on a three week Contiki tour mid-year, as that's just wasting a year IMO.

Thanks for the advice, has made me even more keen to take one now. But yeah as you stated, my biggest fear is just wasting it. I have a plan to go to all the Collingwood Away games throughout the year with my brother and maybe go to Central Australia for a few weeks but apart from that I'd probably be working a lot (part-time Hungry Jack's lol) just to build some capital. I still have more time to think on this before next year but thanks.

 

[Bomberboyokay]

I'm also interested in doing the ADF gap year program either next year or the year after so that should take me 2 years out of school before I go back to Uni.

That's not a gap year. That's working for the ADF and getting to leave earlier than most.

 

[magpienato]

Yeah strange why they call it a Gap Year, perhaps to suck some people in but I would be keen as to work for the ADF, would suit me better than uni thats for sure.

That's not a gap year. That's working for the ADF and getting to leave earlier than most.

On SM-G960U1 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[umpire snotblock]

Start early. You will get bored if you don't do anything. A gap year is good but you can't afford to sit on your bum and do nothing.
Get into something you love to do. Then go further in it.

 

[Elroo]

I've posted on here before about my aspirations on becoming a Civil Engineer. I know the courses I need to do at Unis and I'm putting in the effort in year 12 at the moment to get a decent ATAR (aiming around 70 to 80s) which should give me a chance at entering the majority of Civil Engineering postgraduate courses.

And while I'm keen on my career path, I do like the idea of having a gap year just to take a break. I'm also interested in doing the ADF gap year program either next year or the year after so that should take me 2 years out of school before I go back to Uni. I am confident that I can will myself to get back to studying after this time period.

So the question is, should I take a gap year just because I can? Or is there a benefit in 'getting ahead' in my career earlier rather than later?

The ADF is pushing their GAP Year program fairly hard. I know that if you looked at joining the ADFGY-Program and mentioned you were doing an Engineering degree, you would be considered a priority category as they'd try and dovetail you into a post ADFGY Commission. Hell you could join as a Gap Year Officer in the Navy under their new program, do your year, get the experience and then leave if you wanted.

 

[RAPPA]

Above post is right on the money. Do it.

Agreed - be a live-at-home bum during the gap year, working 20 hours a week at Coles and go on a three week Contiki tour mid-year.

 

[wc_eagles_since86]

The above has it right.
Nothing to be gained by finishing early. To add, when I went to uni as a maturish student (started at 23) it was shocking to see how the little high school kids were not really ready at all for university. It was like a daycare centre.
Go spend some time on adventure, figure yourself out a bit, enjoy women or men in other countries. See something and make mistakes. All that coming-of-age stuff, which is actually true.

One more tidbit from my experience: you're Australian, there's plenty of time for success - you have the benefit of time on your side. Enjoy a year or 4 off.
For the record: I took a gap year to work full time, saved every penny, and then hitch hiked Europe for almost 3 years.

 

[PatrickBateman]

Agreed - be a live-at-home bum during the gap year, working 20 hours a week at Coles and go on a three week Contiki tour mid-year.

Agree! I actually did this exactly, but did 2 years of Uni first, wish I hadn't. Went back and completed afterwards.

In my later 30s now, it seems ridiculous not to take a gap year in the scheme of a career. I think there's pressure from friends, etc. Parents may fear you'll never return? If you're driven, who gives a s**t.

 

[DidakDelight]

Get your degree work for a year then travel when your around 23 to 24.

The opposite sex will find you a lot more appealing at that age than 18-19

 

[Richard Pryor]

To be honest even 'wasting' a gap year can be a good motivator to prioritize study properly.

 

[magpienato]

Well almost a year since the last post, I guess I better conclude this story. Ended up taking a gap year this year, s**t happened, covid 19 happened and here we are now. Who knows how long until International flights so might just go on a road trip to NT or something like that to itch my urge to travel for now. I still go out day-tripping and what not so I wouldn't say I've wasted my year. It's been fun at times, been boring, but overall enjoyable not to worry about s**t.

Anyway, lesson learnt; always expect the unexpected in life.

 

[Corpuscles]

Well almost a year since the last post, I guess I better conclude this story. Ended up taking a gap year this year, sh*t happened, covid 19 happened and here we are now. Who knows how long until International flights so might just go on a road trip to NT or something like that to itch my urge to travel for now. I still go out day-tripping and what not so I wouldn't say I've wasted my year. It's been fun at times, been boring, but overall enjoyable not to worry about sh*t.

Anyway, lesson learnt; always expect the unexpected in life.

How did you finish up at school? Did you gain entry to Civil Engineering?

Reckon if you still keen on that then approach every firm you can and ask for a menial part time casual job to gain an idea of what the work is like, whether you will enjoy it, and mix with people who have completed a very difficult degree (hour of hard math work) and get some tips.

Filing, clean up anything. It will serve you well when and if you graduate and apply for jobs.

Get off the couch.

 

[Jimpson]

Well almost a year since the last post, I guess I better conclude this story. Ended up taking a gap year this year, sh*t happened, covid 19 happened and here we are now. Who knows how long until International flights so might just go on a road trip to NT or something like that to itch my urge to travel for now. I still go out day-tripping and what not so I wouldn't say I've wasted my year. It's been fun at times, been boring, but overall enjoyable not to worry about sh*t.

Anyway, lesson learnt; always expect the unexpected in life.

Just a thought but I'd suggest looking up work exchange places around Australia. Because we have no overseas tourists people are really looking for help on their farm so you'll have a chance to see the outback while experiencing a different way of life and not have to worry about money. I'm 33 and a city slicker and honestly tempted to take some time off and just experience how the rest of Australia lives for a new outlook on life.

 

[magpienato]

How did you finish up at school? Did you gain entry to Civil Engineering?

Reckon if you still keen on that then approach every firm you can and ask for a menial part time casual job to gain an idea of what the work is like, whether you will enjoy it, and mix with people who have completed a very difficult degree (hour of hard math work) and get some tips.

Filing, clean up anything. It will serve you well when and if you graduate and apply for jobs.

Get off the couch.

Oh yeah I probably should have mentioned it in my post but I did get into my Civil Engineering course so I was quite thrilled with that. After my exams I thought I did enough to get the entry requirements (I think it was 20 study score in Methods, and 20 in Physics) which I did and I think my ATAR was just high enough so that all went well.

I am currently employed part-time at my local Hungry Jacks, get about 4-5 shifts a week so it's pretty good for now. Funnily enough one of my managers is doing Civil Engineering at Monash and he's been telling me all about it so I've just been a sponge around him essentially.

I also have a friend of mine who works at a local Town Planning firm so I will have to get onto him at some point. Would you think it's worth asking local councils too? Even if it's loosely related.

 

[Corpuscles]

Oh yeah I probably should have mentioned it in my post but I did get into my Civil Engineering course so I was quite thrilled with that. After my exams I thought I did enough to get the entry requirements (I think it was 20 study score in Methods, and 20 in Physics) which I did and I think my ATAR was just high enough so that all went well.

I am currently employed part-time at my local Hungry Jacks, get about 4-5 shifts a week so it's pretty good for now. Funnily enough one of my managers is doing Civil Engineering at Monash and he's been telling me all about it so I've just been a sponge around him essentially.

I also have a friend of mine who works at a local Town Planning firm so I will have to get onto him at some point. Would you think it's worth asking local councils too? Even if it's loosely related.

I'm just an old (to you) man, passing on some encouragement and thoughts (2 cents) impressed by your willingness to seek opinion and advice.
"The world is your oyster" ,when the going gets tough, the smart get going.

The only advantage of a gap year is to get life experience to confirm your career direction and also break any lazy school habbits and approach the different more serious stuff of learning a craft from study with more dedication.

Ask every one every big engineering firm or related like councils. But approach mature leaders as high up as you can get.
Out of your comfort zone of friends or slightly older, get experienced advice. Don't necessarily accept all advice.

I suggest you write (email) a request for a short interview explaining you are keen on the career path and want to learn more from real active professionals about the broad career of Civil Engineering.
Have a list of questions and drop in one that asks what could a young person with little knowledge offer to the department or firm.

Lets face it you aren't going backpacking around the world any time soon, but when and if you need a break from studies, you will learn more about the place culture and gain by being able to travel to London New York Chicago Dubai .... any etc...
and work for a Civil Engineering firm. It will be an impressive resume once you graduate. Lots of kids work at fast food outlets and good on you , it shows you are a goer!

I would be surprised if you don't get a position of some sort in 20 interviews, but if it takes 50, you will have learnt a lot,
and made valuable contacts for later and decided which direction interests you.

Engineers are notoriously poor at managing files . There are so many versions drawings, progress reports , tenders etc a young person born with computer technology could be of very valuable assistance (even as a lacky) and you will see important documents and see different styles.

Questions eg
What area of CE do you specialise in or target?
What is the most satisfying aspect of the work?
What is the least satisfying aspect?
What sort of work could a young person assist in?
What advice can you give to someone starting out on study and career?
etc etc


Good luck, make your own luck and get ahead of the pack. You might find you like a different career?
Cheers

 

[magpienato]

I'm just an old (to you) man, passing on some encouragement and thoughts (2 cents) impressed by your willingness to seek opinion and advice.
"The world is your oyster" ,when the going gets tough, the smart get going.

The only advantage of a gap year is to get life experience to confirm your career direction and also break any lazy school habbits and approach the different more serious stuff of learning a craft from study with more dedication.

Ask every one every big engineering firm or related like councils. But approach mature leaders as high up as you can get.
Out of your comfort zone of friends or slightly older, get experienced advice. Don't necessarily accept all advice.

I suggest you write (email) a request for a short interview explaining you are keen on the career path and want to learn more from real active professionals about the broad career of Civil Engineering.
Have a list of questions and drop in one that asks what could a young person with little knowledge offer to the department or firm.

Lets face it you aren't going backpacking around the world any time soon, but when and if you need a break from studies, you will learn more about the place culture and gain by being able to travel to London New York Chicago Dubai .... any etc...
and work for a Civil Engineering firm. It will be an impressive resume once you graduate. Lots of kids work at fast food outlets and good on you , it shows you are a goer!

I would be surprised if you don't get a position of some sort in 20 interviews, but if it takes 50, you will have learnt a lot,
and made valuable contacts for later and decided which direction interests you.

Engineers are notoriously poor at managing files . There are so many versions drawings, progress reports , tenders etc a young person born with computer technology could be of very valuable assistance (even as a lacky) and you will see important documents and see different styles.

Questions eg
What area of CE do you specialise in or target?
What is the most satisfying aspect of the work?
What is the least satisfying aspect?
What sort of work could a young person assist in?
What advice can you give to someone starting out on study and career?
etc etc


Good luck, make your own luck and get ahead of the pack. You might find you like a different career?
Cheers

Thanks mate, you advice is invaluable.

 

[Stratton_Gun]

Do it but only if you have solid plans on what you'll do in the year. Otherwise you'll probably end up at home playing playstation wasting it

 

[HTPunter]

I think as long as you don't burn bridges (i.e. Your parents) by lounging and slouching around, a lazy gap year is hardly the worst thing like people pretend it is.

Finish school at 18, start study or work at 20, retire at 65ish. Does it really matter if you laze a bit for a year?

Only time it'd be bad is if you had other plans in live (gap year travel) or didn't snap out of it once the year is up.