Thinking about a mid - career break or keen to use your time to make a difference either before or during your retirement.
It's never too late to take a gap year:
A gap year is no longer just for students taking a break either pre or post University.today a growing number of people are taking a gap break either mid-career or even post an active career. In fact, the market statistics show this group is now larger than the traditional student gap year market!
You maybe thinking that the pressures of work are getting too much or the daily routine is just too boring...or taking an early retirement to purse the dreams you have always had. Whatever your personal desires and aspirations, if you are planning a break to do something different or something worthwhile and meaningful, use your skills and experience to make a difference.you have definitely come to the right place.
At GapGuru we offer a wide range of placements for career breaks or post-career breaks with the opportunity to do something meaningful in your time out.
We specialise in India, a truly fascinating country to take a gap break. From the highest mountains in the world, to some of the best beaches.India has it all. With a history and culture that goes back thousands of years and a modern economy that is set to dominate world economics over the coming years.there is really no where better to spend your time.
As people with experience and skills gained through work, career gap break volunteers have a lot to offer charities and organizations in India. We offer volunteer placements in Non Governmental Organisations (NGO's) and charities and also internships in various business & medical environments.
Working in an NGO:
With our volunteer placements there are so many different projects that you could work with and although we are realistic and appreciate that one person can't change the world, we do believe that many people can make a difference. That's what we aim to achieve with our range of projects.
Career gap break volunteers who have traveled with us previously comment on how working in a developing world environment constantly challenges them and teaches them how to adjust their professional skills to fit the local context. Also, what a humbling and leveling experience it is to work with some of the world's most underprivileged people!
The range of projects we have ensures that there is something to interest everyone and give you an opportunity to use the skills you have learned in your career to date.
Working in the Business Environment:
One of the reasons India is such a fascinating place is the juxtaposition of the wealth and poverty of the country. Mercedes cars are parked next to homeless people on the pavement, 5star hotels are built next to slums - the examples of this are endless. However, this is India and these contrasts are accepted and to be expected in a country of over 1.2 billion people. Wealth will trickle down eventually.in the meantime business needs to grow in India to help the country's economy and therefore its people.
One of the major factors in India's economic growth has been Business Process Outsourcing companies. Where back office functions such as administration and finance and the ubiquitous call centers of multi national companies now flourish due to economies of scale and reduced costs.
We offer several internships with businesses in India from web site design to communications and culture coaches. This gives an opportunity to see if you would like a career in these areas or even give you more experience if you are already in this field of expertise. Needless to say these internships give a quality addition to your CV when looking to further your career.
And finally...
Taking a gap break offers a chance to see and experience a country like you would never do as a tourist, a chance to get under the veneer and start to understand what makes the country tick. There are many, many different aspects to India and we are sure you will be intrigued and want to come back again - as previous career gappers are already doing!