The Gap Year: Tips, Considerations, and Experiences Cindy Broderius, M.Ed., NCC Duke University Career Center March 3, 2015

Pathway For Tonight’s Discussion Why a gap year(s)? What factors should I think about? What are my options? Where can I find resources to identify options? What is involved with the application process? Is there a timeline for planning? How can the Career Center help me? Questions?

Questions From You? What ideas have you been thinking about?

Why a Gap Year (or More)? Focus on classes, research during 4 years of college Strengthen your application to graduate school Confirm a career decision Develop or strengthen particular skills Try something new Take a break Travel and meet new people Strengthen application: CONSIDER: plan your experience with an ultimate goal in mind

Reflection: Imagine the Possibilities

What Factors Should I Think About? 9 Domains for Crafting Your Gap Year(s) Experience Knowledge Skills Goals Values Environment Relationships Compensation Location Challenges & Barriers • think about these as different “lenses” through which you consider what you want the year to be • refer to “Nine Domains…” handout; strongly encourage working through these aspects, and other areas that may be important for your consideration, by yourself

What Are My Options? For Example: Study: Scholarships and fellowships Teaching: Blue Engine Teaching Fellowship Citizen Schools City Year • these various categories of “options” are also like looking through different lenses, e.g. inter-relationships among them • STUDY: scholarships & fellowships of the study-based type; be sure to watch for application timelines—some of “big” ones have application dates before beginning of senior year (INFO SESSIONS re: Fulbright, Marshall, Rhodes, etc. next week) • TEACHING: you may already have lots of teaching experience, see such an opportunity a great way to give back; large variety of programs, e.g. length, population, geographical location, etc. IMPORTANT: consider how your application timeline intersects with opportunity, e.g. how difficult will it be to travel for interviews, complete application process?

What Are My Options? For Example: Fellowships: Working Domestic vs international Sector most applicable to your goals Interning: Various industries, organizations Short-term or longer E.g. CDC’s Office of Minority Health & Health Equity; RTI International Metabolomics Group • “FELLOWSHIP” can refer to many types of experiences; a “working” fellowship usually 1 to 2 years paid experience in wide variety of arenas, e.g. teaching, health, social justice, business, etc. • OUSF post-graduate scholarship and fellowship database one invaluable resource, will be getting more populated with wider variety of opportunities • INTERNING: can take place in wide variety of industries or organizations; may be what another organization calls “fellowship”—KEY: post-baccalaureate option; series of shorter-term internships strung together could comprise year of experience

What Are My Options? For Example: Government: ORISE opportunities for recent grads USAJobs for Recent Grads = Pathways Research: NIH Post-baccalaureate IRTA (1-2 yr) Research assistant/associate (1-2 yr) Labs of interest at Duke or other institutions ORISE, Pathways to Science • RESEARCH: interest in further developing your research skills because you see yourself headed towards MD/PhD OR take a 1-2 year position in area of interest to further develop skills

What Are My Options? For Example: Industry: what are your interests, goals? Biomedical device Biotechnology Pharmaceutical Start-ups Life Science • JOB: maybe you’re really interested in testing the waters of “the business side of healthcare” or you’re still vascillating between professional school and another option; working in that sector for a period of time gives valuable perspective on the work as well as helps clarify where passion really is

Where Can I Find Resources to Identify Options? Online resources People Duke/Career Center events See handout for examples of resources to get you started… • REFER TO HANDOUT for resources, we’ll go into more depth with search strategies at Tuesday’s workshop • Many types of resources to tap in your explorations: Internet: Google searches; websites of organizations, professional associations, other career centers People: Duke gap year alums, Board of Advisors, DukeConnect, professors/researchers/former supervisors Events: take advantage of on-campus info sessions and career fairs to talk with recruiters, e.g. fall fairs have lots of working fellowship reps, employers of interest

Online Search Strategies Resources: eRecruiting (Experience.com when alum) LinkedIn for jobs Job boards OUSF and ProFellow scholarship & fellowship databases Networking Career Center website

Networking Strategies Who: Board of Directors Faculty Upperclassmen Duke alums Former supervisors, e.g. summer experiences, labs, jobs, etc. Additional resources: DukeConnect LinkedIn, Duke University Alumni Network LI Group

Networking Strategies, cont. How: Informational interview Networking opportunities, e.g. on campus, departmental, professional meetings, etc. Important: The power of keeping in touch The power of thank you

What Have Other Duke Students Done? Darya T’13: summer internship with metabolomics group at RTI International turned into full-time position; now at UCSF in pharmacology PhD program Russell T’13: NIH Post-bac IRTA with National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; plans to pursue PhD

Documents For Application Resume Tailored to specific position Transferable skills Accomplishment statement = action + impact/result Cover letter Tell story of fit with examples Personal Statement/Application Essays Develop around provided prompts Research program or position Reflect: on yourself, past experiences, accomplishments

Letter of Interest Aka “prospecting letter” or “inquiry letter” Sent to employers of interest, e.g. company/organization, laboratory, etc. who may be hiring but have not listed specific job posting Include information on why lab/company interests you, why/how your skills and experience would be an asset to organization Be specific—make the connection between you and organization Helpful to include resume

Is There a Timeline For Planning? YES! Be aware of deadlines, resources to track Deadlines for some scholarships and fellowships are summer and early to mid-fall; may require institutional nomination On-campus recruiting vs Just-in-Time hiring timelines different Reflect, explore options, make supporting networking contacts early

Take For Example…NIH Post-bac IRTA Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/postbac_irta “Applying to the NIH Postbac Program” video presentation focuses on eligibility, application tips, and follow-up to be a successful candidate http://videocast.nih.gov/summary.asp?Live=11483&bhcp=1 PI research and networking

Take For Example…PREP (Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program) Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program Institutions http://www.nigms.nih.gov/training/PREP/pages/PartInstPREP.aspx Application submitted to each program Application deadlines vary among schools

Take For Example…ORISE ORISE = Oak Ridge Institute for Science Education Internships + post-baccalaureate opportunities Application strategy: monitor posted positions, create account, submit application materials

How Can the Career Center Assist Me? Explore various options and develop effective search strategies Assist with resume/cover letter/personal statement review Mock interviews Networking preparations Appointments: 30-min counseling (F2F, phone, Skype) or 15-min drop-in Alumni support up to 4 years out

Questions For Me? What ideas have you been thinking about?

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