Should I take a gap year before TC?
Hi, I am in my 3rd and final year of uni and fortunately secured a TC at a US firm in my second year. This means that I am due to start the SQE in September with the rest of my intake and actually start at the firm in September 2027. I am really torn on whether to ask to move to the September 2028 cohort instead (they unfortunately don't do March intakes) to give myself a year of rest and travel and being a normal 21 year old. I love travelling and wanted to take a gap year before uni but was discouraged from doing so by my parents. However, I have travelled lots during the uni holidays and am travelling in the 3 months that I have off between uni and SQE. Any advice on this predicament that I am very lucky to have is appreciated! In typical type-A-future-commercial-lawyer fashion, I'll make a for/against list:
For:
- I'd really like to explore Asia (southeast, Japan, possibly China) and a year out would give me the opportunity to do so properly
- I don't know if I'll get the chance to travel extensively again
- They'd probably be able to fill my SQE spot with someone from the upcoming vac scheme cohort
Against:
- If the current fuel crisis continues, it could end up being a wasted year if it's difficult to get outside of Europe
- I'm scared to ask the firm for an extra year for a reason as trivial as travelling. Would it come across like I'm not committed to the job? Would it be seen as unprofessional to ask for a year out a mere 3 months before starting the SQE?
- I'm scared that AI will advance so much in my year out that they don't need as many trainees and rescind my offer
- I have the time and money to travel for the 3 months I have off between finishing uni and starting the SQE. Perhaps this is enough of a break. However, I currently won't be able to visit Asia due to virtually all flights stopping over in the Middle East