College & Career Pathways 2026: Taking a Gap Year: How to Build an Intentional Path to Your Future

The path after high school is not “one size fits all”, especially as students navigate a rapidly changing education and work landscape. An intentional gap year offers time to explore interests, build real-world skills, and learn beyond the formal classroom. A well-planned year can strengthen confidence, independence, and self-knowledge while helping students stay engaged and future-ready, no matter which post-secondary option comes next. This workshop explores the range of gap year opportunities, offers guidance on college deferment or reapplication, shares strategies for financing gap time, and shows how to design a meaningful and fun year that prepares young adults for a future they feel excited about.<br><p>This is a recording of the live workshop at College &amp; Career Pathways on March 14, 2026.<br><p>Audience: Best for 10th-12th grade students and their parents/guardiansPresenter: Julia Rogers, President Emeritus, Gap Year Association<br><p>Find additional event details and resources at: https://www.vsac.org/plan/college-career-pathways