Mind the gap: A year out can be a bonus - just choose wisely

Given the gloomy economic outlook, it seems few will be immune from the fallout of the global credit crunch. That includes students. As the economy contracts, graduates will need to become cannier about marketing themselves and making sure hard-pressed employers know they are the pick of the crop.

This is where a well-structured gap year can make all the difference. It's an opportunity to work on those soft skills that employers are so keen on, such as teamwork, verbal communication, cultural awareness and project management. These skills, alongside increased independence and maturity, don't come from topping up the tan in Thailand, but from undertaking work placements or voluntary projects that take you outside of your comfort zone.

"Employers have rumbled the 'just travelling' gap year where herds of students backpack round the usual routes in Australia and the Far East," says Richard Oliver of the Year Out Group, which represents 35 organisations offering gap year opportunities. "They want to see you stick at something for a minimum of three months, maybe working on a conservation project in Thailand for six months or teaching English for a couple of terms in China."

The key, says Oliver, is to show you put in the commitment to organise and fund the placement and learn new skills, develop relationships and grow as an individual. He says it helps to keep a journal of your year out so when you are applying for jobs you can refer back to it and give concrete examples of what you learned. "You should be able to demonstrate project management in organising the gap year, negotiating skills to raise sponsorship, and, because things don't always go to plan, quick thinking and resourcefulness," he says.

The prospective gapper has no shortage of organisations willing to help them develop these skills, albeit for a price. Consider what kind of gap year will meet your longer term career aspirations and then pick a reputable firm that will deliver what it promises. Having done your homework, the world is your oyster, from coaching football in Ghana to studying the old masters in Italy.

These experiences can be life changing. David Wright took part in a conservation project in a little-known part of Botswana with African Conservation Experience (pictured above), mapping game and elephant populations and studying vegetation. The placement inspired a complete career change, with Wright using his new ecological insight to sign up for a zoology with conservation degree at Bangor University. "It gave me a new direction and a much altered view on wildlife – and life in general," he says.

But a gap year doesn't need to involve exotic travel to pay long term career dividends. There are plenty of schemes closer to home, such as CSV, which organises voluntary projects in the UK. Volunteers live away from home and are provided with accommodation and living expenses. The projects tend to focus on social care, perhaps helping a disabled student live independently or working with autistic children, which can be just as challenging and character-building as building a well in Africa.

Many gappers spend at least part of their year out working, either to save money for travelling or to build a nest egg for university. But don't limit yourself to minimum wage jobs: look to find work that will enhance both your CV and your bank balance.

"Why spend your time stacking shelves or waitressing when you could get a good office job in an ad agency or bank?" asks Judith Kark of London-based Quest Business Training, which equips students with office-friendly skills so they can go out and secure higher paying temp jobs in City firms. "You will quickly be out there earning that investment back," she says.

It seems there are as many different gap years as there are gap year students. Rob Harris of African Conservation Experience says the whole point is that the skills learnt on a gap yearshould be transferable and welcome in any workplace. "Ultimately a good gap year is about discovery," says Harris. "Of places, people, new skills and oneself."

'It's really boosted my confidence'

Rebecca Savage, 19, did a Year In Industry with AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals on a project set to save the department £200,000 a year. She is now studying chemical engineering at Birmingham University

"I did look at going travelling or doing voluntary work on my gap year but Year In Industry ticked all the boxes: it gave me the chance to live away from home, earn money, gain some relevant work experience and do something worthwhile as well as keeping my science and maths alive before starting university.

The company paid half my rent, gave me lots of training and I earned £11,600; so I was able to save up some money before coming to university.

I developed lots of new skills and it's really boosted my confidence for tackling my degree. There are also longer term benefits: AstraZeneca has already offered me a summer placement while I'm at university and told me to contact them when I reach graduation."