Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9. Working in the UK
Why work on a year out?
If you're not working to raise money for gap travel and you've just finished school or uni-
versity, you might want a break from study and take a deep breath or two for a while. But
even though work doesn't seem too appealing, just try going through the complex claiming
procedure for the Jobseekers' Allowance and then living on it for a few weeks, and you'll
soon see that working has its advantages.
But there are plenty of much better reasons to use a gap for work:
Saving money for university
Going to university is an expensive thing to do. Today, the vast majority of graduates are
heavily in debt and this burden will be with them for many years to come.
Graduate debt is rising sharply as temporary jobs dry up and tuition fees, rent and travel
costs increase.
Studies suggest students typically spend £5000 a year on living expenses, including nearly
£2000 on rent, £750 on bills, £700 on groceries, £700 on socialising, £400 on travel and
£500 on books, equipment and field trips.
With tuition fees rising to a maximum of £9000 a year, total debt for a three-year course
could break the £50,000 barrier. That said, there are big variations between regions and uni-
versities.
Even so, earning just a little bit now could really help your bank balance in the future.
Showing commitment
If you're attracted to a career in popular professions like the media, medicine and law, which
are incredibly competitive and hard to get into, it could well prove necessary to grab any
experience you can, paid or unpaid. It might make all the difference down the line when you
have to prove to a potential employer that you really are committed.
Work experience
Another consideration is the frequency with which people applying for jobs report being re-
jected at interview 'because of a lack of work experience'. A gap is a great time to build up
an initial experience of work culture as well as getting a foot in the door and getting recog-
nised; in fact many students go back to the same firms after graduation.
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