Financial woes hinder gap year plans
Financial worries are putting today's students off taking a gap year between graduation and starting work, a new survey has revealed.
The survey by Ernst & Young based on its ey.com online undergraduate poll revealed that despite the increasing popularity of gap years over the last two decades only 13% of respondents felt the primary motive for taking a break would be to improve their career prospects.
A total of 36% of those polled said they planned to take a gap year, while 40% will not consider it due to financial worries.
Jo Bayne, manager of graduate recruitment at E&Y, said: ‘Students who are able to take 12 months out after graduating see great benefit from their experiences.
‘Individuals may pursue a gap year for a number of reasons, sometimes to directly improve their career prospects in later life through work experience, but also as a means of personal development.’
