Q&A with a UNC career counselor

Jacquelyn Gist is a career counselor with University Career Services who often counsels students who are considering less traditional post-graduation options.

What are the most common reasons you hear for taking time off?

Many don’t know yet what they want to do or want to have an adventure while they are free of obligations. Some want to add to their “marketable experience.” Others want to make a lasting contribution to the community and the world. Sometimes students are just burnt out because they’ve been in school since they were five and they’ve worked or interned almost every summer of their college years.

What are the most common things for people to do?

Most students choose an organized program, such as Teach for America. However, some find employment on their own doing things as unusual as working on a dude ranch, teaching at a school in the Palestinian territories or working as a ranger in a national park. Many people are looking to do a career, even if it’s short-term, that they love. UCS considers this its job — to help people discover career options they love. Sometimes people look at time off as a chance to explore nontraditional career areas.

What is your advice for students considering taking time off?

Start thinking about your options very early and research them well. Sit down with a counselor and talk about what your long-term plans are and how your options fit in with those plans. There’s a good chance your parents are going to go, “You’re what?” The more you’ve thought things through, the better your experience will be and the more your friends and family will support you.