Still figuring out what to do after graduation or before pursuing professional/graduate school? Wanting to explore, solidify, or even find new interests?
There are many opportunities such as fellowships, research, volunteering, internships, jobs, etc that can help you do just that! Sometimes it can be difficult to know where to find post-undergraduate opportunities, so we have compiled a list to get you started in your exploration.
This list is simply meant to help you think more broadly about the range of opportunities available to you. These opportunities are not endorsed by the University Career Center and are not comprehensive. If you wish to explore additional resources or learn more about what to do upon graduation and want help reflecting on what a gap year could mean for your career plans, schedule an appointment at the University Career Center today.
** First, begin by thinking about the length of time you’re hoping to have as a gap. Is it 4-6 months? 1 year? More? Be mindful of the length of commitment of different opportunities as you search and apply.
Second, think about your goals for your gap year experience. Is it to sharpen particular skills? See parts of the world you’ve never been? Contribute to a social cause or gain educational experiences? What do you hope to learn or do?
Third, planning and researching go hand in hand. Explore options through research and feel free to ask for advice or ideas from others including a University Career Center Coach. Explore any related costs. Reach out to individuals who have previously applied or participated in the programs you are considering. Plan for deadlines and get excited about the great experiences you will have!
FELLOWSHIPS
Fellowships are structured 1-2year postgraduate experiences that may fund study, research, or teaching in the U.S. or abroad.
The Office Of National Scholarships and Fellowships recruits and prepares U-M undergraduates, graduate and professional students and recent alums for major national scholarship and fellowship competitions. The opportunities at ONSF include current undergraduate tuition or research funding, future graduate program funding, and career related fellowships. These programs cover a variety of fields including STEM, Biomedical Research, Public Service and International Relations, Humanities and Social Sciences. Read about the ONSF supported programs on their website and meet with an advisor. The ONSF website also lists additional opportunities beyond those supported by their office.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program In partnership with more than 140 countries worldwide, the Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers opportunities in all academic disciplines to passionate and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds. Program participants pursue graduate study, conduct research, or teach English abroad. U-M students should connect to the International Institute to learn more.
Capital Fellows Programs These programs, known collectively as the Capital Fellows Programs, are nationally recognized. The 18 Assembly Fellows, 18 Senate Fellows, 18 Executive Fellows and 10 Judicial Administration Fellows receive an outstanding opportunity to engage in public service and prepare for future careers, while actively contributing to the development and implementation of public policy in California. The ranks of former fellows include a Justice of the California Supreme Court, members of the United States Congress and the State Legislature, a deputy director of the Peace Corps, state and local government officials, corporate executives and community leaders.
Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs Coro introduces program participants to all aspects of the public affairs arena, preparing them to translate their ideals into action for improving their own communities and beyond. Coro Fellows learn to see the big picture - the community as a whole - and appreciate the varying perspectives that characterize our cities, states, and nation.
ORISE Fellowship Opportunity at Centers for Disease Control The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Research Participation Program is an educational and training program designed to provide college students, recent graduates, and university faculty opportunities to connect with the unique resources of the CDC. With the support of an assigned mentor, participants have authentic research experiences at state-of the-art facilities.
Smithsonian Fellowships and Internships There are over 60 internship programs available at the Smithsonian offering a myriad of new experiences. Each museum and office manages their own programs and has their own intern and fellow coordinators. Contact information for the various intern/fellow coordinators can be found online at http://si.edu/ofi.
Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship Program 10-week summer research internship for undergraduate and graduate students in STEM majors. Participants complete a cutting-edge research project at one of the Department’s National Laboratories or DOE Headquarters.
James Madison Fellowship A federal program offering Fellowships to individuals desiring to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution at the secondary school level. Fellowship applicants compete only against other applicants from the states of their legal residence. Generally, one Fellowship per state is awarded each year.
Global Health Corps Global Health Corps provides a yearlong paid fellowship for young professionals from diverse backgrounds to work on the frontlines of the fight for global health equity at existing health organizations and government agencies. Fellows are currently working in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia and the United States.
Mariam K. Chamberlain Fellowship in Women and Public Policy The Mariam K. Chamberlain Fellow contributes to a variety of research projects to inform policies affecting women. Research activities may include reviewing literature; collecting, checking and analyzing data; gathering information; and preparing reports and report graphics. Attending relevant Congressional briefings, policy seminars and meetings is also a component of the fellowship program. Applicants should have at least a bachelor's degree in a social science discipline (such as sociology, psychology, education, or public policy), statistics, economics, mathematics or women's studies.
SERVICE PROGRAMS
These kinds of programs allow for lending skills and talents to engage in the mitigation of issues concerning the social, educational, environmental, etc, improvement of communities.
Peace Corp The Peace Corps brings together skilled, committed Volunteers with welcoming host communities for service opportunities in more than 60 countries. Volunteers live and work side by side with community members on locally prioritized projects, building relationships, exchanging cultures and knowledge, and helping transform lives for generations.
Teach for America Teach For America aims to end educational inequity. TFA corps members serve in high-need schools for two-year commitments.
City Year City Year corps member serve full-time as tutors and mentors in schools, running after-school programs, leading and developing youth leadership programs, and vacation camps to make a difference in the lives of children and their communities.
AmeriCorps State and National The largest of AmeriCorps programs, AmeriCorps State and National provides funds to local and national organizations and agencies committed to using national service to address critical community needs in education, public safety, health and the environment. Members serve full- or part-time over a 9- to 12-month period.
AmeriCorps NCCC AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, team-based residential program for men and women age 18–24. Members live on one of five campuses, located in Denver, Colorado; Sacramento, California; Perry Point, Maryland; Vicksburg, MS; and Vinton, Iowa. AmeriCorps NCCC requires an intensive, 10-month commitment.
AmeriCorps VISTA AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more.
Michigan College Advising Corps MCAC is one of 15 constituent programs in the National College Advising Corps; a consortium of colleges and universities whose aim is to increase the number of first-generation college going students in the United States. Michigan College Advising Corps specifically work to increase the number of low-income, first-generation and underrepresented students entering and completing higher education in the state of Michigan.
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms Volunteer on organic farms in the U.S. and around the world.
The SAGA Fellows program is a full time, in-school professional math tutoring opportunity. Fellows work with the same 14 students every day in groups of 1 tutor: 2 students. Unlike traditional, often disconnected, tutoring that happens outside of school hours, SAGA tutoring occurs as a stand-alone class period and is built into the regular school day as an elective course for credit. Fellows guarantee the academic success of students by focusing intently on individualizing instruction and building personal and meaningful relationships with their students.
Blueprint Schools Network The Blueprint Fellows Program is designed to accelerate student achievement in schools across the country. Fellows provide daily, small group tutoring sessions to students across grades K-12. Fellows are fully integrated into their school cultures and are invited to collaborate with school staff, attend all staff meetings and professional development opportunities, communicate with students’ families, and coordinate school-wide service projects.
Citizen School The Citizen Schools National Teaching Fellowship is a service program offering a two-year, leadership development experience, including service as a team leader at a Citizen Schools campus, professional development with a partner organization in the community, and the opportunity for optional enrollment in a pioneering Master's program in out-of-school learning.
Great Oaks Tutor Corps Recruits the best and brightest college graduates from across the country to dedicate a year of service to urban students. During their one-year commitment, tutors work full-time, providing one-on-one and small group instruction to Great Oaks Charter School students.
INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Working abroad is a popular goal during a gap year, and it can be complex. The International Center provides expertise in helping students navigate this process. Start by reading through the International Center’s “Work Abroad” website and then set up an appointment to talk through your specific goals.
In addition, U-M students and alumni can use Interstride to explore international job postings and access country-specific insights on immigration policies, housing, cost of living, and more.