Step Into the Real World: The Bay’s Gap Year Program Redefines Learning
By Kate Sullivan
For many of us in The Bay’s Gap Year program, the traditional college path just didn’t feel like the right fit. Large classrooms, limited personal interaction, and a lack of hands-on experience in our chosen field left us feeling disconnected. My classmate, Noah, explained it perfectly: “One of my worries that stopped me from going to college was being unable to pay off student debt, combined with the struggle to succeed academically in a large classroom setting.”
Noah’s words resonated with me because I shared similar fears and frustrations. Traditional education wasn’t aligning with my learning style or aspirations, but The Bay’s Gap Year program offered a different approach. It gave me a practical alternative to building real-world skills while also exploring my passions.
A History of Creative Education
Founded by Mike Smith and Andrew Norman in 2010, The Bay is dedicated to empowering young individuals through creative and educational programs. As a dynamic community hub, this nonprofit offers unique spaces, including an indoor skatepark, a music venue, and a digital art lab. It’s all part of The Bay’s mission to reshape education, the workforce, and society to be more inclusive, creative, and vibrant. Moreover, The Bay connects with local youth and prepares them for what’s possible by igniting their passions and connecting them to real-world opportunities.
Design Your Life in Five Phases
The Gap Year program is made up of five phases: Explore, Plan, Learning Modules, Capstone/Mentorship, and Internship. Throughout the five phases, students receive one-on-one mentorship. “One of the most valuable parts of Gap Year is the personal mentorship students receive throughout the program,” said Kayla Meyer, Workforce Education Program Manager. “Our team is deeply committed to guiding each student as they navigate their career and life choices—because we know firsthand how impactful it would have been to have a mentor at that age. We want every student to feel seen, supported, and confident in taking their next steps.”
Design thinking principles are used to help students map out a meaningful and adaptable five-year plan. I found that, just like designing a product, designing your life requires creativity, iteration, and a willingness to explore different possibilities. Through mentorship, guided exercises, and self-reflection, I learned how to set intentional goals, embrace curiosity, and create a flexible roadmap that aligned with my values. Instead of feeling stuck or overwhelmed by the future, I was able to gain the confidence and tools to design an exciting and fulfilling life.
The Fashion Pathway
I began my Gap Year journey in 2023, after dropping out of college, unsure of where to go next. I had the amazing opportunity in the Fashion Program to spend my class time at Innovation Studios, a community-oriented makerspace. Access to this space showed me new, innovative fields that existed within fashion, such as 3D modeling and printing. I am currently in my second year, and I chose to pursue dual pathways in fashion and photography. This decision enabled me to creatively combine these fields, getting hands-on experience with a camera and deepening my understanding of both industries and how they can complement each other.
Prior to attending The Bay, I often felt uncertain about how to channel diverse skills across multiple artistic fields into a cohesive career. My experience helped me discover new ways to merge my passions, guiding me toward a career path that aligns with my interests and goals.
Beyond the Classroom
One of the most valuable experiences was the opportunity to tour local businesses, which sparked my interest in several local companies and led to potential internship opportunities. The tours provided an inside look at various industries and helped students connect to professionals who shared insights on their careers and day-to-day responsibilities and challenges. These experiences not only helped me broaden my understanding of these careers but also gave me the chance to observe the skills that are most valued in the workplace. This gave me a feeling of where I belong and helped me envision myself thriving in the environment.
When I found myself surrounded by people who shared a similar drive and vision, it opened up countless opportunities for collaboration and growth. The support and guidance I received from the staff and mentors were crucial in helping me discover my passion, and they offered personalized advice and constructive feedback.
I’m incredibly grateful for the invaluable experiences and connections I’ve made through my Gap Year journey, and I feel more sure of myself and what my future holds than I did going into this program.
Inside The Bay’s Education Programs
The Bay provides a variety of youth programs, including Bay High–a Focus Program partnership with Lincoln Public Schools for high school juniors and seniors. Bay High provides students with skills and experience in marketing, entrepreneurship, and journalism. Students are given the opportunity to align those skills with their areas of interest, including skate, art, music, fashion, and gaming.
The Gap Year program covered in this article runs from October to May, with workshops and classes taking place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Program tuition is $4,000. Full and partial scholarships are available for those who qualify, as well as monthly payment plans.
To learn more about available programs, visit TheBay.org.