There are several gaps in my employment history, which are a concern for my applications to a few highly competitive programs (namely, those 2 in the Bay area).
I'm fully aware I will need to address my employment gaps in my essays, but I am hoping they will be offset by my explanations for them.
Background: US born, excellent student; I received a full undergraduate scholarship based on academic merit in high school. By the end of my undergraduate career, I graduated with two majors, with two minors, and as a member of several Honours societies.
After graduation, I felt my "real world" experience was lacking so I left the US and worked and travelled overseas for three years. I worked/lived in 3 countries (South Korea: teaching English, India: volunteered with women in slums, Australia: hospitality/customer service), while spending periods of a few months at a time in between said countries (and approximately ten more countries over the whole of the three years) either traveling and/or looking for more work. Visa restrictions in the countries I was living/travelling in was also a major factor in my ability to find employment.
Although I know my international experience may bring a competitive edge, I'm worried all the gaps add to too much unemployment time.
Help?
Any words would be appreciated.
Cheers
-V
I'm fully aware I will need to address my employment gaps in my essays, but I am hoping they will be offset by my explanations for them.
Background: US born, excellent student; I received a full undergraduate scholarship based on academic merit in high school. By the end of my undergraduate career, I graduated with two majors, with two minors, and as a member of several Honours societies.
After graduation, I felt my "real world" experience was lacking so I left the US and worked and travelled overseas for three years. I worked/lived in 3 countries (South Korea: teaching English, India: volunteered with women in slums, Australia: hospitality/customer service), while spending periods of a few months at a time in between said countries (and approximately ten more countries over the whole of the three years) either traveling and/or looking for more work. Visa restrictions in the countries I was living/travelling in was also a major factor in my ability to find employment.
Although I know my international experience may bring a competitive edge, I'm worried all the gaps add to too much unemployment time.
Help?
Any words would be appreciated.
Cheers
-V
