Working is an essential part of a gap year, whether you want to stay at home or go away. In fact, 83% of young people who take a gap year do some work in the UK during this period. There are different options when considering full-time jobs for gap year students, such as where you work and how long you work for.

The most important thing is to identify what full-time job best suits you and your gap year plan. Here is a list of the best online jobs for students you should consider.

Full-Time Working Options

A number of options exist when looking for full-time work during a gap year. We take a look at the various options below:

Full-Time Work For Part Of The Year

If you want to travel for a large chunk of the year, you can take on a full-time job from September to January. This will allow you to save up enough money in a shorter period of time. If this is the case, looking for a job with flexible hours and the ability to leave at short notice may be beneficial. Opportunities like these can be found in:

  • Supermarkets
  • Pubs and Bars
  • Cafés
  • Office administration roles
  • Receptionist roles
  • Retail

Full-Time Work For The Entire Year

Alternatively, you might choose to take a gap year as a way to save for your next step. For many students who have just completed A levels, working full-time for the year is the only way they can afford to pay university costs. If this is the case for you, it may not be necessary to find a job that offers lots of flexibility. In turn, this will provide you with a more extensive range of roles to choose from.

You could take on a role in a school or university which requires you to be there for a full academic year. This could include roles in areas such as disability support staff, administration, enrolment assistance, and catering services.

Full-Time Remote Work

Another good option for full-time employment during a gap year is remote working. In the wake of the global pandemic, many employers have seen the benefits of providing remote work. This is a great option for those who want greater flexibility and a better work/life balance. The jobs most likely to offer remote work are IT-based jobs including administration roles, copywriting, customer services, and editing. These would be excellent options for a gap year as you’re not tied to one location.

For more information on remote working, check out our dedicated pages on Online jobs for students and Graduate remote jobs.

Benefits of Full-Time Jobs For Gap Year Students

There are many benefits to working full-time during a gap year. As well as gaining valuable practical skills and experience, you’ll also meet new people and start building your network.  This will set you up for whatever you chose to do next. By taking on a full-time job, you will be able to work on developing the following critical skills:

  • Punctuality and timekeeping
  • Teamwork and cooperation
  • Communication
  • Dedication and self-motivation
  • Ability to use your initiative
  • Customer service
  • Professionalism
  • Leadership

These soft skills are highly sought after by employers from all types of sectors. Therefore, no matter where you find a full-time job during your gap year, these transferable skills will help you stand out from the crowd in your working life.

Key Takeaways

Many people leave school and go straight to university or into a job. However, by using this time to develop your skills and gain relevant work experience, you are putting yourself ahead of the competition. It’s good practice to start earning your own money as you can learn how to budget and save. Spend your hard-earned cash on things you care about, and enjoy the world without relying on your parents.

Developing a Student’s Student and Graduate jobs board has up-to-date job listings with full-time jobs for gap year students in your area. We’ve got loads of information for students and graduates including a dedicated section for gap year students. Whether you’re looking to work part-time, full-time or go travelling for the year, we have the answers to all your questions.

If there’s something else you’d like to ask, feel free to contact us. Remember to sign up for our newsletter below so you don’t miss out on the latest updates from Developing a Student.