How to take a gap year without being left behind

Graduates entering the workforce are no longer quitting jobs because they are unhappy. They are doing so because they realize they could be happier. After facing one of the most challenging placement seasons in years, many are left with the feeling of compromise. They either compromised on the role, the company, or the pay package. 

Instead of, making do with what they have, they are relooking at their career paths. This leaves many contemplating a gap year. These are all questions our listener this week is facing. 

Rohan graduated from a tier-1 B-school. Six months into his first job, he knows this is not the path he wants to take. He is choosing between staying at the job to fulfill the work experience quota or taking a gap year and doing something radically different. But how do you know if a gap year is right for you at this point in time? And if it is, what do you do with it? And if it isn't, how do you make sure that you get the most out of whatever you’re doing right now? 

On this episode of TFTY, host Akshaya Chandrasekaran consults Krishna Vij, Vice-President, TeamLease Digital for advice. She has worked in the early career space in recruiting for close to ten years. Krishna’s advice reorients the way you look at gap years and goes against the grain of what is typically recommended. 

If you liked this episode, share a note with the host at [email protected] or take this form and tell us about your early-career problems, both big and small. We might have you on the show! The First Two Years is produced from the newsroom of The Ken, India’s first subscriber-only business news platform. Subscribe for more exclusive business stories, deeply-reported newsletters, and a whole lot of stuff.