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In the popular imagination, the educational pathway in STEM is relatively linear: you go through high school, then college, attend graduate school, and finally start your career. The reality, however, is much less straight-forward.
Gap years are periods of time taken between educational stages, and are more common in STEM than most students realize. Most researchers take them, and understanding their importance can be pretty helpful if you’re trying to plan your future!
What is an academic gap year?
In the STEM research world, a gap year typically refers to time taken between completing an undergraduate degree and starting graduate school, although it can also happen before college, between a master's degree and a PhD, or between a postdoc and a faculty position. Unlike gap years in other fields, which might involve travel or exploration, gap years in STEM are often about getting research experience.
Why do researchers take gap years?
There are many different reasons why one might take a gap year. Some students take time off to strengthen their graduate school applications — they might want to publish a paper, gain more research experience, or improve their chances at highly competitive programs. A student who graduated with a good GPA but little independent research experience may want to spend a year or two as a research technician or lab manager, improving their academic profile and skills before applying.
Others will take gap years for personal reasons: mental health, family responsibilities, financial stability, or just because they need to decompress after an intensive undergraduate experience before committing to another four to seven years of graduate school.
Some researchers take time off mid-career to pursue industry experience, take a clinical fellowship, do policy work, write a book, or engage with science communication. Then, they’ll return to academia with a broader perspective and a richer professional network.
Common gap year pathways in STEM
• Research technician or lab manager: working full-time in a university or industry lab, gaining hands-on research skills and often contributing to publications.
• Post-baccalaureate research programs: formal programs (NIH's Postbaccalaureate
Research Education Program is one example) specifically designed for students strengthening their graduate school applications.
• Industry research positions: working at a biotech company, pharmaceutical firm, or tech company in a research role, which can also offer insights into non-academic career paths.
Fulbright or other fellowships: competitive awards that fund research or study abroad tor a year.
• AmeriCorps or science policy work: for students interested in the intersection of science and public service.
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