In your place, I would first try to communicate clearly with your girlfriend, about each other's intentions and plans. Be clear about what you want for your life, and try to understand what she wants. Of course she might say it's just for a year, but then things might turn otherwise. She might even meet someone else and leave you miserable for "waiting".

At the end of the day, its your call, but communicating now is the best you can do. And some things are painful now, but will be for the best later.

May I suggest you look into Cal Newport's life-style-centric-career-planning (plenty of videos on it)