Having a gap year on the resume is often looked down upon, especially in the Indian context. It tends to give an impression that the individual is inconsistent and indecisive. However, shouldn’t It be looked at through the lens of self-growth?
It also exhibits the exemplary skills of risk-taking and challenging one own self to reach the maximum potential.
Change Is The Only Constant
With current times brewing uncertainty, a gap year should be more than encouraged and normalized. The growing levels of stress and presumption to follow a particular line of work is remarkably outdated and bizarre.
It invalidates the notion that we, as humans, can need, want, or deserve a break-even the ambitious, career-oriented among us. The gap can prove to be a beautiful and exciting moment for many people to grow, slow down, reposition, pursue passions, and avoid routine.
Even if a hiatus wasn’t planned, it shouldn’t impair your capacity to get work in the future. Times have changed, and even if an employee does not work every day of their entire life, they might still be devoted and committed.
Employers should no longer be surprised if an applicant has a break from work. Today’s workforce is always looking for new opportunities.
Interacting with people from varied backgrounds and beliefs will only expand the limits of your mind and widen your perspective. The best way to learn is to experience it first-hand. Indulging in newer experiences only increases practical knowledge.
People deserve to let some steam off with the entire world adapting to new challenges and progressing during a global pandemic.
Moreover, while it is an excellent opportunity for youngsters and freshers to experiment with the virtual space, they lack the privilege of field experience.
Now more than ever, taking the year off, doing the things one interests in, and overall experimenting with career options should be viewed as courageous.
The determination to pursue your dreams and passion fuels the fire within and builds bridges over the gaps. Don’t be Arjun from ZNMD ?
A Change of Mindset
With all this talk of promoting and normalizing gap years, the monstrous social stigma still follows. There are various reasons why people would opt for a gap year, and we as a society need to accept all senses, whether they are acceptable from our point of view.
Taking a gap before starting your career, in between or after working non-stop for almost a decade, all reasons are valid.
There is also a very prominent gender issue here, which we as a society face. Women are often encouraged and instead expected to take a break from their careers after marriage or having a child, whereas the same is frowned upon in the case of a man.
A shift from a judgmental to a more accommodating and accepting society is the need of the hour.
