So you’ve just finished college, you want to be a leader in your field, and you’re wondering if there’s any way to get practical, relevant experience. Fortunately, there are gap year programs that provide just that, and these programs give you the mentoring and teaching you need instead of throwing you into the work force cold turkey.
Consider these 6 meaningful gap year programs right here in Memphis.
Each are training up leaders in their field who are more prepared than most to take on the unique challenges in their line of work, and who have the guidance of a network of professionals.
The Church Health Scholars program is a service learning fellowship for recent four-year college graduates interested in serving underserved populations. The goals for this program are to develop socially-conscious leaders, to provide an understanding of the intersection of faith and health, to provide professional and career development, and to foster a sense of community among the cohort, staff, and the community.
Church Health aims to provide a firm foundation for Scholars to build professional and personal values, work ethic, and perspective that furthers the mission of Church Health to care for one another in the Memphis community.
- Ideal Applicants: Individuals actively preparing for medical school or further study in various healthcare fields such as medical school, public health, physician assistant, health administration, nursing, physical therapy, and more.
- November 1: Application Open
- February 17: Priority application deadline
- March 17: Extended Deadline
- April 7: Candidate notifications begin for priority deadline applicants
- Open positions and information can be found here.
City Year Memphis partners with Shelby County Schools, Frayser Community Schools, and Believe Memphis Academy in “creating equitable learning opportunities for all students and developing the city’s future leaders.” This gap year program works to support teachers and staff through instruction that is specific to the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity in Memphis. City Year AmeriCorps members serve as student success coaches, helping students build on their strengths and cultivate social, emotional and academic skills that are important in school and life. Participants engage with students and their families in order to help the schools prepare students for success in “learning, leadership, and life.”
- Ideal Applicant: Individuals who prefer a team environment and desire to make a difference by serving youth in their community
- Application Deadlines:
We are accepting applications for positions beginning in July or August 2025. The next deadline is Friday, February 7th. Applications are processed on a rolling basis: Apply today!
- The application details and link can be found here.
The Downline Memphis Emerging Leaders program is a nine month program that trains believers in biblical understanding and discipleship as well as biblical manhood/womanhood. Participants find jobs in Memphis in various fields while they are enrolled in the program, and they serve Memphis in multiple ways. This program is for leaders in their 20s who are wholly devoted to Jesus and passionate about making disciples should apply for the Emerging Leaders program.
- Ideal Applicant: Individuals who wants to learn more about the Bible, follow Christ, and make disciples
- 2025-2026 Application Deadlines: Rolling admission
- Application can be found here.
The mission of Project Transformation is to “transform communities by engaging children, college-age young adults, and churches in purposeful relationships”. This gap year program strives to build meaningful relationships between children, college students, and churches. Participants live in intentional Christian community, lead summer and afterschool programs for children, and build relationships with church and nonprofit leaders in order to gain exposure to various ministry-related vocations.
- Desire to harness their skills and further their self-discoveryIdeal Applicant:
- Strive to live their faith in action
- Understand the beauty and messiness of sharing life with others
- Embody Christ-inspired leadership
- Believe the local church has a place in community transformation
- Know they have gifts to share with the world around them
- Desire to harness their skills and further their self-discoveryIdeal Applicant:
- 2025-2026 Application Deadlines: Open Now! Rolling deadlines depending on program
- Application and additional information can be found here.
Summer 2025 Timeline:
- November 1, 2024: Application opens
- Priority Deadline: Feb 1, 2025
- Final Deadline: May 9, 2025
- Virtual Interviews: Nov 15, 2025– May 16, 2025
- Training: Late May
- Summer Program: June-July
The SOS Academy is “a paid Christian Community Development residency in Memphis, TN, designed for recent graduates & young professionals who have a concern for those who are marginalized. It equips young adults to inhabit underserved communities with a Gospel-driven lifestyle of justice and compassion toward their neighbors”. This gap year program includes an internship with a partner ministry or organization of SOS, theological and ministry training, housing in Binghampton, and exposure to Christian families and mentors.
- Ideal Applicant: Individuals who desire to serve God and their community, are comfortable around new people and experiences, want to harness their skills, and have hope for a better world.
- 2025-2026 Application Deadlines: Now live! Rolling admission
- Application and additional information can be found here.
Memphis Fellows
The goal of the Memphis Fellows Program is provide recent college graduates with the tools they need for their personal, professional, and spiritual growth beyond college. Fellows are equipped to become responsible, confident, Godly men and women who are prepared to take on adulthood. They are given a path to become invested in their city and take part in bringing fullness to it. They are given the chance to have a deep connection to a local church, to local business and industry leaders, and to one another
- Ideal Applicant: Recent College graduates who desire to grow personally professionally and spiritually while serving God and their community.
- 2025-2026 Application Deadlines: Open Now! Rolling deadline
- Application and Additional Information
Longer Term Commitments
Memphis Teacher Residency (MTR) is a faith-based nonprofit organization that offers an unmatched opportunity for those who aspire to make quality education available to all Memphis students regardless of their zip code. MTR’s mission is Christian love expressed in equal education, and it is realized in 34 under-served partner schools located in five Memphis neighborhoods where the education gap is greatest.
- Ideal Applicant: College graduates or undergraduates looking to make a difference and believe high-quality education is a right for ALL children, regardless of their zip code.
- Application Deadlines: MTR Class of 2026 applications are open NOW!
- Application and additional information can be found here.
Summer Programs also available to underclassmen:
- MTR Camp Literacy Fellowship – Who should apply: College students passionate about elementary literacy
- STEM Camp Fellowship – Who should apply: College students of color passionate about middle school STEM
Present in more than 50 communities across the U.S., Teach for America works to provide equal opportunities for all students. TFA’s diverse corps members work in low income communities where they fight against education inequality, while being employed by local schools. Teach for America Memphis has been continuously named by the Tennessee State Report card as one of the top teacher preparation programs and one of the only to do so for nine years in the row. TFA Memphis takes up Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision to provide equal education for children.
- Ideal Applicant: A college graduate looking for a career change, looking to gain perspective, grow as a leader, and shape the futures.
- Application and additional information can be found here.
