More young people are taking “gap years” between graduating college and getting a job. Gap years typically refer to taking a year between high school and college to mature and recover from academic burnout before entering college. But according to data from CivicScience, the number planning a “gap year” between graduating college and entering the job market jumped from 8% in 2024 to 22% in 2026. The share of grads that planned to jump into work after college also dropped from 38% to 22% in those two years. Like gens before them, some grads are taking the year to gain practical experience needed to further their education, while others take the time to reflect on what they want to do in the future. But today’s new grads facing a tough job market also could mean choosing a gap year makes them feel like they have some control over their lives and employment status. YPulse data shows that Gen Z college grads are rethinking the value of their degrees and grappling with how AI is changing their career trajectories—so it’s no surprise they’re taking some time off to figure it all out. (Newsweek)
👀 Read more from YPulse: College Grads Are Rethinking the Need for Another Degree
