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Mizzou students may consider taking a bridge year, a period of time (3 months to 2 years) after college graduation and the start of graduate school or a career. It’s an opportunittiey for recent grads to gain relevant experience, explore their interests and/or make decisions about their future career goals.
Why take a bridge year?
Focus: School is a busy time and some students ned time away form cmapus to reflect on their goals and clarify their next steps. Some students may recognize they still need to refine their long-term goals before launching into a career if they have concerns or uncertainties.
Prepare: Graduates may also recognize they need time to prepare for board exams and study for graduate school entrance tests. It’s not uncommon for students to begin a job search after they pass a licensing exam.
Build Skills: A bridge year is time where students may pursue internships, jobs, or service opportuntities to gain more job skills and relevant industry experience.
Gain Professional Experience: If students feel their background is lacking, they can pursue jobs or experiences to make them more competitive as a job or graduate school candidate.
Gain Life Expeience: Some students recognize they want the opportunity to travel, experience other cultures, or focus on their personal growth.
What are examples of Bridge Year programs?
There are many programs that exisit! Students can take advantage of our Guide to the Bridge Year about key considerations about a bridge year as well as online databases and programs you can research in government, service, healthcare, and international affairs. here are just a few examples:
- National Health Service Corps
- City Year
- AmeriCorps
- Peace Corps
- Green Corps
- Student Conservation Association
Whether you want to advocate for environmental issues, provide medical care in rural America, be a medical scribe, or teach English aborad, there are numerous opportuntities to help you bridge your Mizzou degree to your future career. Let us help! The MU Career Center is available for appointments and drop-ins each weekday. Learn more about our career coaching.
By Amanda Nell