WHAT IS GAP YEAR?
Gap Year is an 8-month workforce skill and career accelerator program designed for young adults ages 18-24 to help you make a plan for your future. Gap Year utilizes a structured cohort model to help you explore career and industry opportunities and select a pathway, earn certifications, complete projects or build a portfolio with an industry-specific mentor, and get real job experience. You’ll develop the skills and relationships you need to succeed in higher education, the workforce, or entrepreneurship.
With our Future-Ready Track, you’ll get 1:1 mentorship, gain industry insights, develop essential life and career skills, learn directly from professionals, and even have the chance to secure paid internships. Scholarships may be available for those who qualify.
HOW IT
WORKS
WHAT IS GAP YEAR?
Gap Year is an 8-month workforce skill and career accelerator program designed for young adults ages 18-24 to help you make a plan for your future. Gap Year utilizes a structured cohort model to help you explore career and industry opportunities and select a pathway, earn certifications, complete projects or build a portfolio with an industry-specific mentor, and get real job experience. You’ll develop the skills and relationships you need to succeed in higher education, the workforce, or entrepreneurship.
With our Future-Ready Track, you’ll get 1:1 mentorship, gain industry insights, develop essential life and career skills, learn directly from professionals, and even have the chance to secure paid internships. Scholarships may be available for those who qualify.
HOW IT
WORKS
OUR 5-PHASE PROGRAM
EXPLORE
01.
EXPLORE
EXPLORE A VARIETY OF CAREER-RELATED PATHWAYS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND PARTNER PROGRAM OPTIONS TO START BUILDING A PERSONALIZED CAREER PLAN TAILORED TO YOUR UNIQUE INTERESTS AND GOALS.
PLAN
02.
PLAN
GO THROUGH A DESIGN-THINKING PLANNING PROCESS TO DETERMINE YOUR NEXT STEPS AND BUILD THE FUTURE YOU WANT. YOU WILL DEVELOP YOUR INDIVIDUALIZED FUTURE-READY TRACK , GIVING YOU A ROAD MAP FOR YOUR GAP YEAR JOURNEY.
LEARNING MODULES
03.
LEARNING MODULES
STEER YOUR SHIP IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR PASSION BY CHOOSING ONE OF OUR PATHWAYS (SEE BELOW), GETTING GOOGLE CERTIFICATIONS, OR PARTICIPATING IN OUR PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES/SECTORS. PATHWAYS INCLUDE MUSIC, GRAPHIC DESIGN, PHOTO/VIDEO, FASHION, AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP, TO NAME A FEW.
CAPSTONE / MENTORSHIP
04.
CAPSTONE / MENTORSHIP
COMPLETE A PROJECT OR PORTFOLIO TO SHOWCASE YOUR NEW-FOUND SKILLS AND ENGAGE IN A ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP WITH AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL IN YOUR CHOSEN INDUSTRY FOR GUIDANCE AND INSIDER KNOWLEDGE TO HELP ACHIEVE PROFESSIONAL GOALS.
INTERNSHIP
05.
INTERNSHIP
GAIN REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE BY PARTICIPATING IN IMMERSIVE JOB EXPERIENCES AND INTERNSHIPS. THIS HAND-ON EXPERIENCE WILL HELP YOU CONTINUE TO GROW YOUR SKILL SET, EXPAND YOUR NETWORK AND GET PAID TO DO WHAT YOU LOVE.
CREATIVE INDUSTRY PATHWAYS
PHOTO/VIDEO
The Photo/Video Pathway provides a comprehensive look at photo and video capture and editing techniques. It gives students hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and editing software, allowing them to produce professional-grade multimedia content.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The Entrepreneurship Pathway is a practical course aimed at fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and skills. Students in this pathway will ideate, test, and launch a business venture while exploring the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
The Graphic Design Pathway introduces students to the principles of graphic design, providing them with the technical skills and creative insights needed to create effective visual communication.
FASHION
The Fashion Pathway is an immersive course exploring the world of fashion design, production, and marketing. It provides students with a foundation in fashion theory and hands-on experience in garment creation.
MUSIC
The Music Pathway is an immersive course designed to nurture the musical talents of students. It exposes participants to various music technology, the local music industry, innovative opportunities, and production techniques.
CREATIVE INDUSTRY PATHWAYS
PHOTO/VIDEO
The Photo/Video Pathway provides a comprehensive look at photo and video capture and editing techniques. It gives students hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and editing software, allowing them to produce professional-grade multimedia content.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The Entrepreneurship Pathway is a practical course aimed at fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and skills. Students in this pathway will ideate, test, and launch a business venture while exploring the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
The Graphic Design Pathway introduces students to the principles of graphic design, providing them with the technical skills and creative insights needed to create effective visual communication.
FASHION
The Fashion Pathway is an immersive course exploring the world of fashion design, production, and marketing. It provides students with a foundation in fashion theory and hands-on experience in garment creation.
MUSIC
The Music Pathway is an immersive course designed to nurture the musical talents of students. It exposes participants to various music technology, the local music industry, innovative opportunities, and production techniques.
ADDITIONAL PATHWAYS
GOOGLE CERTIFICATIONS
UX DESIGN
DIGITAL MARKETING
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
DATA ANALYSIS
IT SUPPORT
CYBERSECURITY
GOOGLE IT AUTOMATION WITH PYTHON
MANUFACTURING
WITH THE LINCOLN MANUFACTURING COUNCIL
REVERSE LOGISTICS
WITH SPREETAIL
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
WITH DON’T PANIC LABS
CULINARY ARTS
WITH THE HUB CAFE
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM?
What is the structure of the Gap Year program? How does it work?
The Gap Year program runs from October to May. During this time, students attend dedicated program hours two days a week, for two hour sessions. They also have the chance to work on capstone projects, meet with mentors, and use our state-of-the-art technology during open lab hours. The program includes specific tracks where they earn micro certifications, participate in field trips, and have the opportunity for paid internships.
What's the Curriculum?
Each student will have an individualized “Future Ready Track,” which provides a comprehensive blend of academic learning, hands-on skills, work experience, and vital life competencies, setting the foundation for success in tomorrow’s world. By fostering self-awareness, creativity, community participation, and by preparing students for diverse paths in higher education, the workforce, or entrepreneurship, the Future Ready Track provides students with necessary tools to navigate a purposeful future.
What does it cost?
The Gap Year program costs $4,000 in full. This investment covers the extensive resources, instruction, and experiences that you or your child will benefit from during the program.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, financial aid is available for those who qualify. We have full and partial scholarships available, as well as payment plans.
Who will I meet?
We’ve partnered with local businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, as well as Nebraska’s education sector, to ensure our program is as comprehensive as it is relevant. At Gap Year, you’ll get to know a diverse network of local CEOs, creatives, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and academic professionals. We’ll teach you how to build and nurture connections that can open doors and shape futures.
DON'T SEE AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION?
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
ACKLIE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
ROGERS FOUNDATION
WOODS CHARITABLE FUND
UNION BANK & TRUST
ECONIC
VIKING FOUNDATION
LINCOLN MANUFACTURING COUNCIL
SPREETAIL
DON’T PANIC LABS
THE HUB CAFE
NEBRASKA INNOVATION STUDIO
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER