It takes some consideration to answer the question, "What can I do in my gap year?" because so many options are available.
The good news is that one option offers you all of that and more if you want to travel, learn, develop, acquire skills, and explore career paths in addition to making friends. Internship it is!
You have likely heard that taking advantage of an internship during your gap year can help you advance your career. Training offers the same experience, skill development, and mentorship while supporting a worthwhile cause, making it valuable.
This article aims to give you an in-depth understanding of what internship gap year programs are, what factors to consider when taking an internship program, what happens during your internship, plus more!What is an Internship Gap Year Program?
A gap year internship allows students between 18 and 22 to thrive in a cross-cultural work environment and learn to navigate modern 9-5 life.
Gap-year students will hone their leadership skills during their gap-year internships and return home with a polished resume, ready to tackle whatever comes next.
In addition to gaining professional work experience, this experience will allow you to fully engage yourself in the day-to-day activities of a new culture.
Selecting a gap year internship will also allow you to gain additional knowledge about work environments and sectors that may differ from yours.
How to Choose the Perfect Gap Year Internship Program for You
Choosing the right internship gap year program could be challenging. There are so many options, and from a medical student's perspective, all of them might seem pleasing.
To help you decide the perfect gap year internship program for you and only you, here are some tips:
1. Start with Self-Reflection
You will need to decide what you want to get what you want out of a gap year.
Do not let platitudes like "career headstarts" and "discovering yourself" get too much use. It can cause indecision by placing great strain on the planning process.
Instead, make it straightforward. Instead of focusing on where you want to be in the future, set modest, realistic goals for yourself that fit with where you are now. Ask yourself questions such as:
Above all, this method simplifies goal-setting by removing the need for future projections.
Second, it gives you additional autonomy while you are an intern. It lets you trust your gut and not fear what you find.
You may want to think about continuing your internship. You could think about trying another. After completing your training, you may extend your gap year abroad. This kind of curiosity-driven exploration is often the gateway to self-discovery.
2. Research and Explore
After you have determined your objectives, it is time to look into your options for taking a gap year.
Avoid thinking of every scenario; you will scroll through search results all year. Let your search be guided by your interests. You can quickly sort through the options if you know what makes the ideal gap year internship for you.
When you begin to identify opportunities that appeal to you, investigate the role and the company you will be working for. Within a company that shares your values, you want to find a position that fits your interests.
Being open-minded and resisting the need to become overly attached is crucial during this phase. Recall that applications might be cutthroat. In addition, the first thing you will discover about locating the ideal gap year internship is that many excellent choices are available.
3. Identify Your Preferences
You should have a lengthy list of the top internships, gap year travel opportunities, and more by the time your research is done. It is time to determine which of them is more likely to occur.
Additionally, take into account the gap year options' logistical viability. It is time to move past ideological thinking and adopt a more grounded approach. Think about items such as:
- Duration
How long do you hope to be an intern? While some opportunities might last only a few weeks, others might last several months.
- The Organization's Size
Choose between a non-profit, a small startup, or a large corporation.
- Paid vs. Unpaid
Evaluate whether you can support yourself financially through a paid internship or are content to accept an unpaid opportunity in exchange for experience.
- Budget
The cost of living, lodging, and flights all add up. If you choose an unpaid internship, these expenses will come from your wallet.
4. Connect and Network
Networking opportunities are a crucial component of the ideal gap year internship, and they start before the training. This is a critical moment to start contacting possible contacts or mentors, showing interest in their work, and soliciting recommendations for your gap year internship.
Use online resources such as LinkedIn and cast a wide net to connect with professionals and organizations. Attend workshops, seminars, and career fairs if you can to network with experts in the field of your choice.
These contacts might offer guidance, they might suggest you for upcoming positions, or they might present another internship opportunity. Thus, start networking if you ask yourself, "What can I do during my gap year to benefit my career?" Interacting with people in your sector yields insightful information and may present unforeseen prospects.5. Start the Application Process
It is time to begin the application process now that you have narrowed your long list to a shortlist and established some contacts.
Initially, customize your cover letter and resume for every internship you apply for. This is probably the most crucial thing to know about locating the ideal gap year internship. Avoid putting much effort into your research only to falter at the interview with a poor cover letter.
Emphasize your abilities, background, and enthusiasm for the area. Mention any networking events you attended while conducting your search as well. Keep your self-talk in check. When writing, keep it brief and let your passions and life experiences do the talking.
Consider your objectives, preferences, and values when evaluating internship offers that you receive. Lastly, make sure to make clear all of the internship's terms and conditions, including duties, hours, and any extra benefits.
Factors to Consider When Taking an Internship Gap Year Program
After deciding on the kind of internship you want, you can begin considering other crucial elements that affect how good an internship program is.
These are some of the most important things to consider when looking for an internship.
1. Internship Goals
You should set goals well before the internship to get the most out of it. First-time interns may view the internship as a means of discovering more about their working methods. This opportunity may be seen by students who have already completed several internships as a means of choosing between two different career paths.
Whatever your reasons and goals, you should make an effort to build your self-assurance in your capacity to collaborate with others, interact with managers, and finish assigned tasks. Being useful increases your chances of getting job offers, career advice, and professional references.
2. Degree and Career Paths
Students must consider their degree and career options when looking for suitable internships. Some academic paths have far more limited career outcomes, just as a single degree can lead to several different career paths.
In any case, there are advantages to your career and studies from an internship. For instance, an internship at a well-known newspaper might seem like the perfect opportunity for a journalism major, but these jobs are very competitive.
Acknowledging the marketability of skills in careers related to journalism can help increase career options and internship opportunities at the same time.
3. Time Commitment
You have to take an internship's time commitment into account. A position might not be beneficial if it makes it more difficult for you to fulfill your obligations to yourself or your studies.
Generally speaking, semester-based internships call for a part-time commitment of no more than 20 hours per week. To receive college credit for an internship, students typically need to work 150 hours or more during the term.
Summertime internships typically call for a full-time work schedule. It is more likely that these opportunities will come with financial benefits. You can also pursue summer internships overseas to obtain a more international viewpoint.
4. Compensation
Whether compensated or unpaid, internships ought to provide substantial advantages to students. Despite the possibility of some businesses trying to take advantage of or exploit interns, the U.S. Department of Labor upholds legal protections, including guidelines for unpaid internships.
Legally, interns in the private sector who perform tasks that correspond to the job description of a paid employee are entitled to the federal minimum hourly wage. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, interns who do not meet the definition of "employees" should consider their financial situation.
Unpaid internships can result in job offers, networking opportunities, and skill development. However, they could be a significant financial burden and take time away from work and school commitments.
5. College Credit
Most programs that require internship completion from students result in college credit. Internships run by programs provide organized training that closely matches degree requirements and academic standards.
Students submit weekly reflections and follow up with their supervisor and faculty mentor during their internship duties. Students who work with their departments in advance can typically get credit for the extracurricular internships they pursue.
You need the official support of a professor or advisor and proof that the internship advances program outcomes to be approved for this kind of program.
6. Local vs. Remote
For most interns, local, in-person training sessions are the norm. However, remote internships are becoming more and more common due to the development of collaborative software and communication platforms.
Remote interns communicate with coworkers via phone calls, email, and conferencing apps like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams. They work through the company's virtual platform. This means that, unlike with an on-site internship, you will not have to pay for lodging or transportation.
Flexible schedules that let you attend to other obligations are another common feature of remote experiences.
How to Get an Internship During Your Gap Year?
A prospective physician who has finished medical school but does not yet have a license to practice medicine independently is known as a medical intern. Throughout the year-long medical internship, you will be closely supervised by a board-certified physician.
Even though the training is the last step toward earning a general medical registration, you can still work in an overlooked capacity after it ends.
The steps listed below can help you become a medical intern:
1. Get Your Resumé Ready
When applying for a medical internship, your resume might be asked to be submitted. You can put your objective statement right after your contact information on your resume. You can share with the employer your reasons for pursuing that career and your goals for the goal.
Incorporate any pertinent experience, emphasize your medical expertise, and provide additional details that could help you land the job, such as volunteer work and leadership positions in organizations. You can find medical resume samples online to help you write your own.
2. Request a Recommendation Letter
While it might not be required when applying for the internship, it is still a good idea to have a letter of recommendation. You have the option to request a recommendation letter from your professor. You can locate someone who is personally acquainted with you and can vouch for your abilities and output.
3. Apply Early
Applying early to various positions is advised because internship opportunities can be highly competitive. Making a good first impression on prospective employers by submitting a well-written application before the deadline.
4. Compose an Original Cover Letter
An internship cover letter allows candidates to showcase their academic, professional, and personal qualities that make them valuable interns and possible future employees. The top candidates usually have outstanding extracurricular and volunteer experiences in addition to their academic excellence.
5. Create a Portfolio and Attach It (If Needed)
In addition to a strong resume and cover letter, applicants can set themselves apart from the competition by including a portfolio. Consider a portfolio as a window showing your abilities, interests, and skills. Writing, journalism, and the arts are among the professions that usually demand a portfolio.
6. Prepare for an Interview
The last step in getting an internship is frequently an interview. The top candidates will put in a lot of preparation for this phase.
You need to come into the interview with a thorough understanding of the role, the company, and the mission, in addition to professionalism. Interviewees should also exhibit a current knowledge of their industry.
What Happens During an Internship?
You might be required to attend a two-week orientation to acquaint yourself with the work environment and roles at your selected hospital once you are placed there. A current intern can offer you guidance during this time.
Following this, you might receive training through a rotation that takes you through several medical departments, including internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, and general surgery. You learn about doctors' various responsibilities in various departments during the rotations.
What are the Benefits of Taking an Internship Gap Year Program?
Working as an intern during your gap year indeed has its advantages. As a medical student, you ought to optimize your stint as an intern because it will surely help you in the long run.
Here are the benefits of taking an internship during your gap year:
1. Medical Gap Year Internship Gives You a Chance to Work with Experts
You can gain experience working with experienced medical doctors and nurses during a medical internship. Observing them in action will teach you much as they deal with hundreds of patients daily.
You can learn strategies for dealing with different patients and how to respond in an emergency and put what you've learned in class into practice. You can find a mentor who will support and mentor you as you begin your medical career during this internship.
2. Medical Gap Year Internship Lets You Learn from Your Peers
Most students live, travel, and eat meals together during their internship. This allows you to share experiences and support one another while learning from one another.
Working with medical students from various areas will probably allow you to learn about medical issues relevant to their communities.
3. Medical Gap Year Internship Helps You Discover Your Interests
As part of your rotation training, you work as a medical intern in various departments. You can work in physiotherapy, cardiology, orthopedics, or gynecology now. You can observe seasoned professionals in action and ask questions as you do your daily work.
This is a fantastic chance to discover your interests and the kind of specialization you want to pursue. For instance, you might consider returning to school and specializing in cardiology if you find satisfaction in that field.
4. Medical Gap Year Internship Boosts Your Resume
After the internship, you might wish to pursue a career in medicine. When applying for medical jobs, having training from a reputable organization can help you stand out from the competition on your resume.
Experience benefits your career by allowing you to apply what you learn to your patients. After your internship program, your employer or the supervising physician might suggest you for a permanent position if your work is outstanding.
5. Medical Gap Year Internship Develops Your Skills
Working with doctors, nurses, and other health professionals is one of the benefits of being a medical intern. This can teach you valuable medical skills from other experienced doctors and help you learn how to work as a team.
Before you enter the workforce, an internship can help you identify your weaknesses and allow you to address them. Additionally, it enables you to identify your strengths, which is beneficial when you apply for jobs.
Additional FAQs – Internship Gap Year Programs Explained
How Can I Increase My Chance of Getting a Medical Internship?
Adding volunteer and student organization experience to one's resume and improving one's chances of landing an internship are also highly beneficial.
Do I Get Paid to Work as a Medical Intern During My Gap Year?
However, regardless of whether you are getting paid, the skills and knowledge you will gain from the experience will be invaluable.