Find real gap-year opportunities.
LaunchYear connects high school graduates with paid jobs, internships, travel programs, and volunteering at vetted organizations across the United States. Free for students — your details stay private until you apply.
It's not a gap year. It's a launch year.
A “gap” sounds like time lost. We see it differently: a year to earn money, build real experience, and launch toward your future on purpose — so you start college, or a career, already ahead.
Explore by field
Looking for something specific — sales, sports, law, working with animals? Search by interest.
Featured opportunities
A sample of what's live right now across all four types.
Marketing Assistant
Help run social campaigns and events for a growing local brand. No degree required — we'll train you on the job.
Product Design Intern
Shadow a small design team and ship real work to real users over a focused remote summer program.
Conservation Program Abroad
Live and work alongside a host community on a reforestation and wildlife project in Costa Rica.
Community Reading Mentor
Spend a few hours a week supporting younger students with reading and homework in Chicago.
Trail Crew Member
Join a paid outdoor trail crew maintaining hiking routes across the Colorado Rockies for a season.
Clinic Outreach Assistant
A paid front-desk and community-outreach role at a Denver health clinic — great for pre-health gap-year students.
Browse
Filter vetted opportunities by type, location, and pay — no account needed to look.
Apply
Apply free in a few minutes. Your details stay private with us until you submit.
Launch
Hear back from the organization and start a year that actually moves you forward.
What students & partners say
Real stories from gap-year students and the organizations that hire them.
I thought taking a year off meant falling behind. The internship I found here is the reason I got into my top-choice college — and I actually know what I want to study now.
I made real money and learned more in six months than I expected to. It didn't feel like a gap — it felt like a head start.
Mentoring younger students gave my year direction. I'd tell anyone unsure about college to look here first.
We found a motivated assistant who's now indispensable. LaunchYear sent us exactly the right kind of person — eager and ready to learn.
The students we've hired bring energy and curiosity. Posting was simple, and every candidate had already been reviewed.
Frequently asked questions
What is a gap year?
A gap year is a year taken between high school and college to work, intern, travel, or volunteer. It's a chance to earn money, gain real-world experience, and clarify what you want to study before enrolling.
Is LaunchYear free for students?
Yes. Browsing and applying to opportunities on LaunchYear is completely free for students. Your details stay private until you choose to apply.
How does LaunchYear keep students safe?
Every organization and listing is reviewed by our team before it goes live. The platform serves minors, so trust and safety are built in — and you can report any listing in one click.
Who can use LaunchYear?
LaunchYear is built for U.S. students roughly ages 17–20 taking a gap year before, during, or after the transition to college.