Gap Year & Workforce
Many students choose not to continue their education after high school -- at least not immediately. These students will either take a gap year or enter the workforce.
There are many benefits to taking a gap year, including learning more about oneself, saving up money, and returning to school with greater motivation and decreased burnout. The most important component of taking a gap year is to be intentional -- what are you going to do, how long are you going to do it, and why are you doing it? Students who take gap years may work, travel, or volunteer to better determine their future goals, although most won't return to school if they don't have a clear plan to do so.
Students who choose to enter directly into the workforce after high school can be highly successful in many areas of life. Counselors encourage students to connect with opportunities in the community to maximize their potential success in the future. Workforce centers can help them access resources, explore careers, develop skills, prepare for interviews, and find opportunities for employment.