With university applications falling due to the hike in tuition fees and the reduced chances of a career at the end of it, more young adults are choosing to go on a gap year, instead. And whilst many still go on a typical ‘right of passage’ trip that involves partying, heavy drinking and sight-seeing, many are also opting to take time to volunteer on their gap year, too. But can gap years really help further job prospects?

The simple answer is yes. There are many positive attributes that taking a gap year can show for example the ability to plan, budget andmake decisions are all important when it comes to both travelling and holding down a good job. But to really put you ahead of the game, volunteering is agreat way to enhance both your life-skills as well as your CV.

Having a volunteering project on you CV shows that not only you have a charitable and hard-working nature, but that you are also willing to gain experience and skills in an alternative way, instead of sitting aroundwaiting for the perfect job to fall into your lap. Because volunteering projects overseas often involve spending time in challenging or demanding environments that are out ofyour comfort zone, they also show your ability to embrace challenges and new, different and sometimes difficult situations head on.

Other important ‘soft skills’ that future employers want evidence of include communication, teamwork and leadership skills which can be proved through a volunteering programme. And because there are so many different types of projects out there, from humanitarian to conservation programmes, there is also plenty of opportunity to learn more industry related skills suitable, for example, for careers in teaching, medicine, veterinary medicine and social work.

Amanzi Travel offer tailor-made volunteering projects in Africa that can incorporate overlanding trips as well, helping to make gap years as memorable and as personal than ever before. Gap years open up youreyes to whole different world at there, even helping young adults to figure out what they want out of their career and life in general.