Taking a Break? Turn Gap Time from School or Work into Growth Opportunities

How do you stay motivated and market-ready during a break from school or work? Our College Persistence team hosted its seventh annual Future Success Symposium for high school seniors and alumni to turn gaps into growth opportunities, especially in today’s economy. Nicole Meyer, Manager of College Persistence, noticed the effects of a slower job market on internship and full-time offers among alumni, as well as the complex process for those adjusting to or transferring colleges. She conceived the symposium theme, Piecing It Together, to help students and alumni turn their transition time into opportunities to upskill, network, and pursue growth.

After leading off with a group mindfulness exercise, Nicole moderated a panel on real-world examples of changing gaps into success. “Transitions are not failures; they can become times for transformation,” advised Nicole, as she invited panelists to share their stories. Panelists included several alumnae from The Young Women’s Leadership Schools, who discussed graduating during a pandemic, taking time off work to care for a family member, and being intentional about finding the right jobs for their interests and skill sets. They then partnered with students in a Skill Stacking activity led by Pamela Jones, Director of College Persistence, to identify current skills and areas for improvement using real internship listings. “Marketing yourself used to mean describing what you have mastery in,” said Pamela, “but now people are looking for what you can pivot or adapt to, in addition to what you know. Developing new or adjacent skills and building a network for mentorship are key to your success.”

Students and alumni left with valuable advice and reflected on how they might shift their approach to their own educational and professional paths. “I learned not to get discouraged if I don’t match everything listed in a job description,” reflected one participant after the Skills Stacking exercise. “Always apply even if it’s not the perfect fit.” Participants also completed a Gap to Growth Reflection Worksheet to identify current or anticipated transitions, action steps they can take, and resources and people who can support their journeys.

If you anticipate a transition period in your academic or professional life, download this worksheet to guide your planning.

Four Ways to Stay Motivated During Gap Times: Advice from Panelists

• Keep a regular routine, including mental stimulation and physical activity.
  Wake up at the same time each day, plan your schedule, and include time for relaxation. “You are your own biggest cheerleader and CEO of your own life,” advised Melissa Joseph, who pivoted from her music degrees in vocal performance to learning new skills and intentional networking to build her career. She now manages a national financial aid access program.
• Set smaller, achievable goals to learn a new skill or pursue a passion project.
  Kassandra Tirado started a job as a receptionist for financial stability and later found opportunities to upskill with webinars and learning directly from her colleagues. She now leads community outreach and national program coordination at a nonprofit. “It’s okay to not know what you want to do,” said Kassandra. “You never know where you can start and where you’ll end up.”
  

• Acknowledge your mental, emotional, and physical health.
  Each person’s path looks different and may involve detours. “It’s okay to feel anxiety; you can feel it, then regroup to make an action plan for yourself to keep trying,” shared Diamond Franklin. She took two years to find a job in her field of study, and seeking mentorship led to career growth and her current role as an equity research analyst.
• Surround yourself with the community you want to be part of.
  Volunteering with college admissions panels and appearing in video features while job searching helped Tyra Riedemonn land a full-time role at her alma mater. “I thought, ‘Who in my high school or college network can I turn to? Where can I get involved?’ When you put in the work, you’ll get to the outcome you want, even if it takes some time to get there,” shared Tyra. “Also, take the time to dream. Having space to think about what you want is really valuable.”