The Gap Year Podcast
 

The Gap Year Podcast

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Explore all things gap year through stories and anecdotes by gappers, families and experts. Fun to listen to but also jam-packed with tips and tricks for making the most of your gap year. No matter who you are or where you are on your gap year journey, you should be listening to the Gap Year Podcast! Although it is produced for Canadians, the content is universal.

Episodes

Teen Behaviour: The brain science behind why parents and teens butt heads and how to support them in their transition to adulthood

Friday Dec 23, 2022

Friday Dec 23, 2022

As a parent you always want the best for your teen, but sometimes it’s hard to see eye to eye on what the “best” is with your young person. If you want to better understand why your teen thinks and makes the decisions they do, along with why this particular stage of life is so challenging, then you do not want to miss this episode! 

Michelle dives deep into the science behind it all and connects the dots between your teens actions and the support they need at this stage of life. This episode is packed with valuable information that will help you understand your young person and be able to better support them through this exciting yet uncomfortable transition from adolescence into adulthood. 

Take a listen! 

Topics Discussed

  • The science behind an adolescent’s brain development, when do our teens actually become adults?
  • Dealing with your young person’s risk taking behaviour and impulsive decision making, and how these actions are beneficial to the growth of your teen. 
  • Why gap years are incredibly formative for teenagers, especially at this age and stage of life. 
  • Things that your young person will turn to you for, and how you can show up for them and support them in the most impactful way. 
  • Tapping into the programs and coaching CanGap offers to help support you and young people through this exhilarating gap year journey! 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association

 

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How to use ScholarshipsCanada and SchoolFinder to plan your post-secondary journey post gap year

Friday Dec 02, 2022

Friday Dec 02, 2022

Imagine if there was a website that would match you to the perfect post-secondary institution, program, scholarships and career path that is just right for you! Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? 

Well, you’re in luck because in today’s episode we invited the amazing Logan Bright from SchoolFinder and Scholarships Canada who walks us through how students can utilise these phenomenal resources to take the stress off of post-secondary research and help them effectively find the most relevant information. 

And, to all the gappers tuning in, Logan actually took a gap year himself! He spent his time dedicated to gaining work experience, personal growth and even filming and starring in his own movie! 

Tune in, you don’t want to miss out on this one! 

Topics Discussed

  • Meet Logan Bright from SchoolFinder and ScholarshipCanada and learn about how you can be matched with your perfect post-secondary school, programs, scholarships and career path.
  • The amazing features of SchoolFinder and how it will help you explore post-secondary options you were not aware of before.
  • Learn about Logan’s transformative gap year and how that impacted the trajectory of his career.
  • Understanding that career paths are not linear (and that is okay!) and how to best embrace that change. 
  • How to leverage your gap year to craft the most compelling scholarships apps and successfully fund your post-secondary education. 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association

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How to Win Scholarships - Leveraging your gap year to fund your university tuition

Friday Nov 18, 2022

Friday Nov 18, 2022

We all know post-secondary education is very expensive and a huge financial burden that students have to carry. Thank goodness for scholarships!. However, looking for scholarships, writing  beautifully crafted applications and effectively communicating your skills can be challenging! But don’t worry, in today’s episode we invited scholarship expert Janet MacDonald from MyCampusGPS, who shares her incredible insight on the scholarship process and how you can be a successful candidate. 

Janet and Michelle also dive further to unpack the greater value besides the money and how scholarships can become a tool you can leverage to make you a better job candidate and land those dream positions. 

Topics Discussed

  • Meet Janet MacDonald from MyCampusGPS and learn about the helpful resources she provides students. 
  • Looking beyond the money, how will scholarships help you stand out among other job candidates. 
  • How gappers can leverage their time and experiences of their gap year when it comes to the scholarship process. 
  • What skills funders look for when reading scholarship applications. 
  • How taking on a leadership role will help you develop the necessary skills and qualities that can be applied to applications, but more importantly your own experiences. 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association

 

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Planning a gap year with help from CanGap: Brelan’s Story

Friday Nov 04, 2022

Friday Nov 04, 2022

In today’s episode we invited the incredible Brelan, a CanGap alum who dedicated her gap year to self-growth, becoming financially savvy and going on some epic adventures! She was able to accomplish this (and much more!) by using the Gap Year Gameplan and leveraging the pillars, resources and expert support to make her gap year EPIC! 

Tune in to hear all about Brelan’s exciting journey and why taking a gap year is truly a step in the right direction to grow, gain invaluable skills and make a lifetime of memories. 

Topics Discussed

  • What compelled Brelan about CanGap and why she chose the Gap Year Gameplan Program. 
  • Brelan’s top 3 gap year goals and how she was able to achieve them through the gameplan pillars. 
  • The support and resources provided by CanGap which was instrumental in guiding Brelan through her year. 
  • Brelan’s takeaways from her epic gap year. 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association

  • Follow on YouTube 

 

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Connecting your gap year to the metaverse - The role of digital credentials

Friday Oct 28, 2022

Friday Oct 28, 2022

Finding a job, education and credentialing look very different to what it has been in the past. Ever since entering the digital era, the metaverse, digital badges and micro credentials have taken things by storm, and are something that you do not want to miss out on! 

In today’s episode, Michelle dives deep into the world of digital badges. What they are, where you can earn them and how to display them so you can tap into valuable networks and get connected with the right people. 

The best part is that CanGap offers digital badges and credentials for gappers! We’ll walk you through our internationally recognized Student of Leadership and Humanity Award, and how you can validate the learning that happens on your gap year! 

Topics Discussed

  • Exploring the Metaverse! What is it, how can you take advantage of it and how is it relevant to your gap year. 
  • Diving deeper into the world of digital badges and credentials.
  • Leveraging LinkedIn to tap into your network and land your dream internship and work positions. 
  • How your Gap Year is the perfect opportunity to explore the metaverse and earn digital badges to give you a jumpstart in your professional development. 
  • CanGap’s very own digital credentials, The Student of Leadership and Humanity Award!

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association

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Building a Portfolio on Your Gap Year - Tips from the Creative Pros

Friday Oct 14, 2022

Friday Oct 14, 2022

Are you looking to apply to an arts and design school but don’t know where or how to start? Does crafting your portfolio, writing your application or even networking with other creatives feel intimidating? 

Well, you are in luck! In today’s episode, we invited Danielle, an OCAD Alum and recruiter. She shares her journey pursuing art during highschool, throughout her gap year and in university. She highlights how she leveraged opportunities to connect with other creatives during this process. 

Most importantly, Danielle gives us the inside scoop on how to craft your portfolio and feel confident in your work when submitting your application! 

Topics Discussed

  • Danielle’s gap year experience and how it played an instrumental role in helping her decide what to pursue in post-secondary.
  • The importance of proactively finding opportunities to connect and network with other creatives and ways you can do this.
  • How to curate an authentic art portfolio that best reflects you as a creative (and getting this reviewed on National Portfolio Day)! 
  • The opportunity to get personal feedback and advice from Danielle through her FREE service, Virtual One-to-One Admissions Appointments. 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

  • dcoleman@ocadu.ca
  • https://admissions.ocadu.ca/visit/portfolio-clinics

 

Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association

 

 

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Biggest Gap Year Mistakes of 2022 (and how to beat them)

Friday Oct 07, 2022

Friday Oct 07, 2022

Calling all 2022/23 Gappers! With your gap year in full swing, there may be some challenges surfacing. Perhaps you’re having trouble with organizing your tasks and events, or maybe you're overwhelmed by your gap year finances, you may even be struggling to make a decision.  

But don’t worry, because in today’s episode Michelle shares how you can fix these mistakes to have the most EPIC gap year possible! 

Remember, CanGap is here to support so don’t miss out on the amazing resources or the opportunity to book a FREE 30 minute call so we can help you on your journey. 

Topics Discussed

  • The top 3 gap year mistakes of 2022. 
  • How to develop a healthier relationship with saving vs. spending your money. 
  • Implementing organization systems that will help you manage your time and be on top of your gap year game! 
  • Michelle’s decision making mantra; “there are no wrong decisions BUT there are also no right decisions - the only mistake is to NOT make a decision.” 

 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association

 

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How to turn an internship into a paid gig with Almeera

Monday Sep 19, 2022

Monday Sep 19, 2022

On today’s episode, Michelle is joined by Almeera, university student and part-time employee at CanGap! She has been part of the team for over 3 years and began her journey working as a co-op student. She’s sharing how she was able to turn a co-op placement into a paid opportunity and dives into valuable advice for gappers and students who are in a similar position. 

 

Michelle and Almeera also go behind the scenes and unpack what it’s really like working for CanGap, along with hearing what projects and resources are Almeera’s favourites! 

 

Topics Discussed

  • Almeera’s favourite resources that CanGap offers, including the Gap Year Podcast, the Gap Year Gameplan and Post-Secondary Decision Guide. 
  • A behind the scene on what it’s like working at CanGap and the skills Almeera has developed throughout her time with us.
  • Advice on how to turn a co-op position into a paid opportunity and steps students should take to be successful with this. 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association

 

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Everything you need to know about Gap Year Frosh Week 2022

Saturday Sep 03, 2022

Saturday Sep 03, 2022

Did you hear?! CanGap’s Gap Year Frosh Week is right around the corner and it is the PERFECT opportunity to kickstart your gap year! 

 

In this episode, Michelle walks you through the 3 EPIC nights filled with opportunities to meet new friends, participate in activities and workshops, and hear from our phenomenal keynote speakers, whose stories will ignite so much passion and excitement! Not to mention, you have the opportunity to win thousands of dollars in prizes! 

 

Grab your FREE Gap Year Frosh tickets at cangap.ca/frosh and join us from September 13 to 15 from 9PM - 12AM EST. We can’t wait to see you there! 

 

Topics Discussed

  • What is Frosh Week and how it is the ultimate way to enter into the new chapter of your life! 
  • Things you can expect from the CanGap Frosh Week, including; 
    • How you will be able to build a supportive community of fellow gappers and friends.
    • Connect to valuable resources and gain access to various gap year programs. 
    • Participate in insightful workshops that cover topics such as planning your gap year, building your art portfolio, and entrepreneurship. 
    • Opportunity to win thousands of dollars in prizes! 

 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

 

 

Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association

 

 

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How to make the most of your gap year with Gap Year Accelerator

Friday Aug 19, 2022

Friday Aug 19, 2022

You’ve got 12 months, or maybe even just a semester. So, what’s the secret to making sure your gap year is purposeful, fun and memorable? In today’s episode, we’re spilling the beans as we share our newest program: Gap Year Accelerator!

Michelle dives into the three phases of Accelerator, common challenges gappers face and how Accelerator supports in implementing solutions. She also explores one of the most exciting outcomes of the program - earning the International Student of Leadership and Humanity Award! This award consists of 7 micro-credentials that help gappers expand their skills and get international recognition for their growth and achievements.

Drive your gap year forward by listening in to learn more!

 

Topics Discussed

  • Gap Year Accelerator: What is it and how it works
  • Exploring the 3 most common gap year challenges and how Accelerator supports gappers through these obstacles. 
  • What to expect during months 1 -3: Power Prep
  • What to expect during months 4 - 8: EPIC Execution
  • What to expect during months 9 - 12: Readiness & Reintegration
  • The Student of Leadership & Humanity Award framework and a sneak peek into the 7 core program pillars.
  • What to expect from our 3-day Toronto and virtual bootcamps

 

Resources Mentioned In This Episode

 

Connect With The Canadian Gap Year Association

Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBit8gLXEOxaBggoGmykjQ

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