Careers

 

Careers

Gap Years

Gap Years for the young, and more experienced, physicist

Not sure whether to take a break? Read this case study from an Institute member for ideas on how you could benefit and what you could do.

Approximately 50,000 18 year olds will go on a gap year this year. While the general public would probably accept this statistic as perfectly likely, they would be more surprised to learn that 150,000 graduates will also be taking off during the next 12 months.

One of the reasons for this is that young physicists wish to get out there and experience life before settling into the 9-5 lifestyle many of us get involved in. However, the fastest growing group of 'gappers' are those in their mid to late twenties and early thirties who already have a few years experience under their belts. This is thought to be because this group are at a suitable point in their career cycle (about 5 years in) to take a break. In addition the retired volunteer is an increasing statistic, with many of our over-65's joining VSO (Voluntary Services Oversees) on the their oversees projects.

The following sites have been selected as providing good advice for members. But remember to plan your re-entry as well as you plan your exit. The last thing you want is to come back from an amazing experience and find yourself low on cash with no job or place to live. Plan to have enough money for three months after you come back so that you can give yourself time to look for a new opportunity to use these great new skills in.

General Information

  • Lonely Planet
    General world information
  • FCO Know before you go
    Foreign and Commonwealth Office's general information website. Includes latest security warnings.
  • BUG
    Backpacker's Ultimate Guide
  • Year out
    Guide For graduates and the more mature physicist
  • Gap Year
    Information aimed at students and very recent graduates
  • Hobsons
    "A global gateway to education and careers"
  • The Student Channel
    Short article with general advice for new graduates.
  • Cactus Teachers (TEFL)
    Cactus Teachers is an admissions service for internationally recognised TEFL (teaching english as a foreign language) qualifications, for first timers, as well as courses for experienced teachers, teachers of other languages and non-native teachers of English.

 

How to get there

  • Round the World
    Tickets Buy your ticket as well as case studies and information.
  • STA
    Travel Discounts for students and under 26 year olds.
  • Most major airlines offer round the world air tickets

 

Where to stay

 

Volunteer opportunities

  • VSO
    One of the best known volunteer organisations with worldwide placements.
  • Raleigh International
    Need staff for expeditions, as well as volunteers
  • Saints or Sinners?
    Why leave the UK? Opportunities at home, or UK opportunities for international physicists
  • Do It
    More UK opportunities
  • Coral Cay
    Described as "Real Adventure, Real Science, Real Results". Placements worldwide in reefs and rainforests..
  • BUNAC
    BUNAC's overseas work/travel programmes offer young people an enriching and affordable alternative to package tourism. Experience another culture from the inside rather than simply passing through as a tourist.
  • Volunteering Abroad
    Volunteer, teach and work abroad.
  • Working Abroad
    Worldwide conservation opportunities.

 

Working abroad

 

Case Studies

 

What to read

  • Before You Go by Tom Griffiths
  • Rough Guide to First Time Around the World
  • The Beach by Alex Garland
  • Holidays in Hell by PJ O'Rourke
  • Etiquette for Outlaws by Rob Cohen
  • Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven et al.

 

Essential items for your suitcase

  • Good insurance policy - remember to leave copies of your documents with someone at home so they can be contacted if you lose them.
  • First-aid kit - include sterilised needles
  • Emergency numbers - keep vital numbers and documents in a safe place, or store them online.
  • Personal Alarm
  • Security devices - a rubber door wedge can help secure a hostel door and a strong padlock is a must for lockers.
  • Condoms - men and women should carry these.
  • Jabs - make sure you are up to date and have had everything you need.
  • Torch - always useful
  • Strong sun cream - everywhere is sunny occasionally. Don't be taken by surprise and if you are going to a hot place take a hat to avoid sunstroke.

 

Help this page grow....email your recommended sites, books or resources to career.development@iop.org. Or send us details of your experiences for the case studies section.

 

 

 

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Artwork | Image by Fred Swist