Gap Year

AVAILABLE IN BAY LINCOLN

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?

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.

What is Gap Year?

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.

photography
entrepreneurship

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.

graphic design
fashion

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.

music

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?

Check out our FAQs
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.

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. 

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.

Yes, financial aid is available for those who qualify. We have full and partial scholarships available, as well as payment plans.

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