I am in favor of gap years.

However… data from the Department of Education shows that, on the whole, not going straight to college from high school often means never going at all. And that is where we need to be very careful. The factor that differentiates our experiences of gap years from the idea of simply taking some time off, is that both of us had already been accepted into our programs, and had decided to spend some time pursuing new experiences that we thought would help us with our future goals. It was a “gap” because it was a break in a continuing path, rather than the next step with no plan for return. If you (or your teenager) feels that they need a break, that’s fine. Just make sure they have something to come back to when they’re done.

Instead of just telling students I work with (or their parents) that a gap year is a bad idea, I want to provide a list of ideas and organizations that can help students to truly better themselves and the world around them.

Volunteer in your community. Yes, volunteering, working, or traveling abroad sounds exotic. However, it's likely that there are plenty of organizations closer to home that could use your help as well. Not sure where to start? Take a look at an online network like VolunteerMatch.

Help rebuild America. Both the National Civilian Community Corps or AmeriCorps are great places to learn leadership skills, help strengthen communities in need, and work with people from all around the country.

Work to save an endangered species. Both within the U.S. and around the globe, there are people who are working tirelessly to help rebuild and protect populations of seriously endangered species. If that seems like a worthy cause to you, volunteer your time to help their efforts.

Become part of a conservation effort. There are countless opportunities offered by the Student Conservation Association that would put your your time off to good use, helping to save trees, national parks, and American wildlife.

Join City Year. You can spend a year of your life with this organization, which is focused on helping keep kids interested, engaged, and excelling in schools around the country. What better way to spend next year than by helping other kids who just went through what you did?

Teach in South America. Ok, so you've decided you really want to leave the country. How does gaining some teaching experience in South America sound? Head to Ecuador or Chile to help young children learn English and gain valuable academic skills while also enjoying some jungle treks, mountain biking, and white-water rafting.

Teach English somewhere further away. If South America is far enough for you, head to Asia or the Middle East to see what life is like on the other side of the world and gain some valuable work experience in the process.

WWOOF your way around the world. If you need a way to fund your gap year, consider WWOOFing it. Not sure what that it is? It's a group called World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms that can help young high school grads work as they travel by offering work on farms around the world.

Take on an internship in another country. There are numerous programs that can help you find internships abroad, letting you gain experience while living and working in a new and exciting location. Many of these internships offer lodging, food, and even stipends.

Travel with a cause. Ecoteer is a non-profit organization that connects travelers with grassroots charities and social enterprises around the world. Most placements are in ecotourism. Further volunteer opportunities are available within conservation, humanitarian aid and teaching. After registration, costs are usually limited to transport, insurance and spending money.

Become an au pair. Being an au pair can be a truly wonderful way to experience a bit of the world while working. You'll get to live with a local family, learn the language, and taste all aspects of the culture.

Help wildlife in Borneo. Borneo is a popular place to volunteer, largely because of the wildlife. You can work at centers that help rehabilitate orangutans, monkeys, and even some unique species of birds.

Become a camp counselor. Camp America offers nine to twelve-week work placements in summer camps across the US. This is a good chance to try something different, experience a new place away from home, and add work experience to your resume.

Volunteer for community projects in Africa. Whether you teach school, help bring water to villages, build homes, or something else entirely, a trip to Africa can help you see the world while helping others.

This is not an exhaustive list of gap year options but I hope it provides a jumping off point to begin looking into how you (or the teenagers in your care) can best use the next year. Whatever you choose to do, do it with purpose, and make this year a part of your journey… wherever that may lead.