“The average American thinks adulthood doesn’t begin until age 26. Your twenties are your best shot to live free, poor, and happy … Be bold … Go, go, go.”

This is an excerpt from a blog post by Paul Duncan, who was one of five panelists at a Career Center program Thursday discussing gap year programs to about 60 students.

The program, which was hosted by the University’s Career Center, discussed opportunities for students to go abroad or stay in the U.S. for internships, join in community service or try something different before pursuing graduate work.

Holly Getchell, director of employer relations at the Career Center, thinks there is a good possibility more students will participate in gap year programs this year as job pickings are slim.

“I think people will be more open-minded to alternative opportunities and look at a Plan B,” Getchell said. “Their plan B might be graduate school and they might do a gap year in between.”

Duncan, who discussed the Peace Corps, was joined by representatives from Cross Cultural Solutions, the Washington Semester Program, the Student Conservation Program and the United States Air Force.

The panel fielded questions from students about costs, length of programs and application processes. Each also spoke about how the trips impacted their lives, which resonated with some students who are unsure about the next step after they walk under the Arch.

Mara-Hiley Chery, a senior political science major from Dacula, said she is thinking about graduate school but wants to see what else is out there.

“I have more adventure left for me,” Chery said. “I want to spend time doing service work to get more insight of what I want to do in the future.”

Students can find information about gap year programs on Dawglink or www.idealist.org, but are advised to set up an interview with their respective career consultant.