Beyond the Bell

Interview: Julia Rogers on Gap Years

Evelyn Lauer

Host Evelyn Lauer interviews Julia Rogers, a leading expert in the growing field of gap year education and a passionate advocate for the gap year movement. As President Emeritus of the Gap Year Association, she has played a pivotal role in advancing the field through research, the establishment of standards, and tireless advocacy. Julia is a professionally accredited gap year consultant and the founder of EnRoute Consulting, where she has spent the past 16 years guiding young adults through transformative educational experiences. A TEDx speaker and host of the Gap Year Radio podcast, Julia is also a frequent guest on both local and national media, sharing her expertise and championing the benefits of gap years.  

Beyond the Bell is a college-and-career counseling podcast designed to provide students with tools and tips to look beyond the bell of their high schools into their futures (be it, college, careers, trade schools, or gap years) where bells do not exist. Beyond the Bell is hosted by Lauer, who has worked in education for nearly 25 years, serving primarily as a high school English teacher, but also assuming roles as an instructional coach, college writing instructor, workshop leader, and journalism/media advisor. Lauer is also currently a graduate student at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago where she is studying school counseling. She is a mother to two sons, who are in 10th and 7th grade. She also serves on the board of Friends of Amundsen High School. Topics discussed will include: college admissions, college essays, trade schools, gap years, finding one’s passions and future careers.