MIND THE MINI-GAP

The gap year is a wanderlust experience which will generate positive plus points for anyone’s cv, but companies might be less inclined to agree to a break of between three and 24 months no matter how itchy their employees feet might be. 

As unfortunate as this sounds there is a new option for cash rich, time poor career gappers that is now being ushered in as the alternative to the traditional gap year, ensuring those vital cv plus points can still be earned without upsetting the apple cart in the office.

This new option is the mini-gap or adventure holiday – a mirror image of the gap year experience covered in a shorter time frame.  

All the elements remain the same with adventures incorporating culture, conservation and charitable causes, but they are simply rolled into a more compact package.

Max Tookey, who specialises in the study of career and lifestyle explains why an adventure holiday could offer similar prospects:  “Transferable skills are of increasing importance to employers i.e. leadership, organisational aptitude and an ability to deal with pressure. These are skills we might traditionally associate with the gap year, but adventure holidays which contain culturally rich and stimulating experiences are essentially no different.”

“Whether travellers are climbing mountains or tracking wildlife the personal and group achievement gained from these activities greatly enhances interpersonal skills and engaging with cultures on unfamiliar territory broadens horizons and social aptitude.”

Destination, Destination, Destination

Africa is one destination which is rich in adventure and culture, and a haven for gap years the world over.  The reason for this lies in the fact that some locations remain relatively untouched and this is an area where adventure operators excel.
Itineraries can vary in length from just a few days to those which run for over a month so there’s an option to suit every schedule, but it’s what you do when you get there that counts.  

Some tour operators will allow travellers to actively participate in non-profit organisations and combine a holiday with time spent working for a charity.  One such operator is Acacia Adventure Holidays a travel company that works in conjunction with the Amani Project in Tanzania, a charity aiming to help the growing number of street children and kids affected with HIV/AIDS.  In the space of just a week travellers can immerse themselves in the destination with afternoons free for adventurers and mornings spent helping out the children with their lessons – an experience that allows mini-gappers to gain a hands on insight into the workings of the charity.

Activity

However, it’s not just the charitable side of adventure holidays that will open up that next career move it’s often the activity itself that builds a whole new candidate.  Imagine white water rafting in the Devils Toilet Bowl in Zambia – a thrilling experience that also necessitates teamwork and leadership skills.  This is in fact the crux of adventure holidays, as they challenge travellers to do something they wouldn’t normally attempt and achieve new goals.  From this standpoint it’s not hard to imagine why an employer might be more tempted to single out the mini-gappers CV, as he will know that this is not merely a well travelled candidate with some interesting stories to tell, but someone who really knows how to make things happen.’

Culture

Embracing new cultures is also a major plus point for employers as living in the global village that is today’s business world means excellent social skills are a necessity. While gap years might meet other gap years, mini-gappers will get to see different cultures close up, whether visiting the townships of Africa or taking a guided walk with the Kalahari Bushmen.
In this sense the mini-gap adventure although a shorter option can offer a similar if not more stimulating experience than a gap year ensuring mini-gappers have a wide mix of skills on offer when the come to their next career opportunity.
A short guide to getting the most out of a mini-gap by Max Tookey

1. Choose a trip that best suits your skill requirements – being able to handpick the elements through a tour operator will give you a head start.
2. Get everything down on paper and diarise your thoughts so you can put your ‘mini-gap’ adventures to good use when applying for that ultimate interview
3. Get involved – don’t be shy and pitch in – this will strengthen your social skills and members of the group will be encouraged by you and feel at ease
4. Be prepared to challenge yourself and try activities you wouldn’t normally consider – you may find there is a whole new person under those preconceptions
5. Enjoy the experience – a true learning environment needs to be relaxed and free from stress

Contact Acacia Adventure Holidays on 020 7706 4700, email info@acacia-africa.com or visit the website for further information.

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