Full-time jobs during a gap year—what are my options?

I'm planning to take a gap year after high school and want to work full-time. What are some good full-time job options for gap year students that pay decently and might offer valuable experience?

There are quite a number of job options available for gap year students, depending on what kind of experience you're seeking and what skills you already possess. Here are a few examples:

1. Retail or Customer Service Representative: Companies like Target, Walmart, Home Depot, and Starbucks are among those that hire young adults and offer relatively decent pay plus perks. The experience can hone skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and customer service.

2. Tutoring: If you excel in your academic subjects, you could consider tutoring jobs. Places like Kumon or Sylvan Learning often hire tutors. You could also look at online platforms.

3. Assistant roles in offices: Many offices, ranging from medical clinics to real estate firms to startup companies, may need full-time assistants or receptionists. This can give you a taste of the professional world and let you develop administrative skills.

4. Food industry jobs: While often demanding, jobs in the restaurant industry can offer decent tips in addition to a base salary. You might work as a waiter, a line cook, or even as a supervisor or assistant manager.

5. Crew / Sales associates in the clothing industry: Companies such as H&M, Zara, and American Eagle Outfitters often seek energetic young adults for roles on the sales floor, where the duties can include assisting customers, keeping the store tidy, and restocking items.

6. Delivery Driver or warehousing jobs: Companies like UPS, FedEx, and new emerging local delivery services can offer full-time roles. There can be on-site roles as packers and sorters as well.

Keep in mind, while all these opportunities provide a steady income and valuable job experience, it's important to prioritize positions that align with your long-term interests and plans, where possible, to make the most out of your gap year. For example, if you are planning to pursue a degree in business, a position in a start-up or an administrative role in an office might be more beneficial. Just ensure to prioritize your health and safety in all circumstances.