Discussion
I am considering taking a career break / sabbatical.
I've been in full time work since I was 16, I have a good degree as well, but I feel I need to broaden my experiences, it just strikes me there is so much more to see in life than the 4 walls of an office everyday.
Has anyone done this?
I'm thinking about voluntary work abroad or travel, not sure what yet really, but along those lines.
I feel it would give me time to reflect on life in general.
Any thoughts?
I've been in full time work since I was 16, I have a good degree as well, but I feel I need to broaden my experiences, it just strikes me there is so much more to see in life than the 4 walls of an office everyday.
Has anyone done this?
I'm thinking about voluntary work abroad or travel, not sure what yet really, but along those lines.
I feel it would give me time to reflect on life in general.
Any thoughts?
It would be nice though to do something not at all job related.When I sold my original company in 1990, the plan was to take a year out - just to 'chill out'!
For the first week, I cleared all the cupboards. Then I sorted the loft out. Pottered around the garden for another week. Then, after about three weeks, the wife got totally cheesed off with me under her feet so I got some business cards printed and called myself a management consultant. Before I knew it, I was working again!
For the first week, I cleared all the cupboards. Then I sorted the loft out. Pottered around the garden for another week. Then, after about three weeks, the wife got totally cheesed off with me under her feet so I got some business cards printed and called myself a management consultant. Before I knew it, I was working again!
Impressive getting a degree whilst in full time work - think you deserve a rest!
Just don't quit your job and do nothing cos you'll stagnate. Travelling sounds great in theory, but I know I'd be pretty cheesed off after a few months.
How about doing something different that might make you some money afterwards - e.g. write a novel (no reason why you can't go abroad to do it!)
Just don't quit your job and do nothing cos you'll stagnate. Travelling sounds great in theory, but I know I'd be pretty cheesed off after a few months.
How about doing something different that might make you some money afterwards - e.g. write a novel (no reason why you can't go abroad to do it!)
I've been looking at doing this too, combination of never having a real break from education and work, and, erm, women trouble. Anyway I feel pretty confident that my skills will still be valid in 12 months time, and my age is going against me in terms of working (easily) abroad, so, I'm going to Africa to 'volunteer' to work on a game reserve. In reality, it's a bit of eco-tourism, so it will cost a couple of grand to have the privilige of being a dogsbody. But it'll be something new. I also have an investment in a dive school a mate has set up in Thailand and at some point will head out over there. Finish my contract at the end of August, take a couple of weeks scratching my arse and head off in September.
I do envy people who can just get on and do it, but I'm an old fart and I need structure
I do envy people who can just get on and do it, but I'm an old fart and I need structure
Davislove said:
I've been in full time work since I was 16
I assume you're not 18
IMHO the hardest part of going travelling is handing your notice, because you can't be sure you'll get work when you return. I've done it twice and I'm going again in October and it doesn't get any easier (Although now I own a business the stresses are different).
I have friends who've done VSO and have found it very rewarding but the wife and I decided that with the time we have it would make more sense to give money to a school/hospital etc rather than try and help out physically. I guess it depends on what you want out of the experience.
It’s something I’ve been considering for quite a while myself. I’ve been on an extended holiday from my job in London for about 6 weeks now, helping a mate renovate a property in the north. I am due to go back to work in the smoke in about 10 days time and I am absolutely dreading it 
One thing that has actually struck a chord with me though is watching Live8. I’m not saying I’m off to Africa to try and put the world to rights, but if I could I would consider some kind of voluntary work for a while. (Bank manager allowing of course
)
One thing that has actually struck a chord with me though is watching Live8. I’m not saying I’m off to Africa to try and put the world to rights, but if I could I would consider some kind of voluntary work for a while. (Bank manager allowing of course
) Yes, I'm about three months in. Its great, although my priorities are different: I have a young family I wasn't seeing due to ridiculous work hours so I jacked it in. In the last week or so I've been to my eldest girl's school sports day, went down to Portsmouth for the Trafalgar 200 fleet review last Tuesday, and today took my youngest for a picnic in the woods with a friend and his kids. Magical, as there was no-one about. Usually at the weekend its mobbed. None of these could I have done had I still been working.
A few observations. i) you need at least one goal or you stagnate. For me it was trading stocks and writing a book. As it happens the book is not happening, but the stock trading is more successful than I'd hoped. I'm now thinking it might keep me going permanently. I've also got getting fit and re-learning how to play the guitar on the to-do list ii) make sure you do a lot of networking, etc before resigning. As a consequence I've had about three job offers since leaving, which would have been handy had I thought I'd done the wrong thing. iii) no matter how much you hate your job or colleagues or boss, don't burn bridges. You never know when they might be useful in the future. iv) make sure you've worked the finances out.
As the old saying goes, no-one lays on their death bed wishing they'd spent more time in the office...
A few observations. i) you need at least one goal or you stagnate. For me it was trading stocks and writing a book. As it happens the book is not happening, but the stock trading is more successful than I'd hoped. I'm now thinking it might keep me going permanently. I've also got getting fit and re-learning how to play the guitar on the to-do list ii) make sure you do a lot of networking, etc before resigning. As a consequence I've had about three job offers since leaving, which would have been handy had I thought I'd done the wrong thing. iii) no matter how much you hate your job or colleagues or boss, don't burn bridges. You never know when they might be useful in the future. iv) make sure you've worked the finances out.
As the old saying goes, no-one lays on their death bed wishing they'd spent more time in the office...
Davislove said:
I am considering taking a career break / sabbatical.
I feel I need to broaden my experiences, it just strikes me there is so much more to see in life than the 4 walls of an office everyday.
Has anyone done this?
I feel it would give me time to reflect on life in general.
Any thoughts?
I can't recommend it enough. I packed my job in October last year to do a round the world trip for a few months. Best decision I ever made!
Was working in IT support and it was starting to get really soul destroying. Stress levels were on the rise and the company was starting to expect employees to squeeze blood from a stone. My request for 2 months unpaid leave was rejected, so I handed them my resignation instead. Am still mates with people who work there and it's now a living hell working there. Others are packing up and leaving as well.
I find that with things like this you just need to do it. The more you think about it, the less likely you are do it. Just my 2p worth...
go for it - I took a break at the back end of 2003 and spent 6 months working in Tignes/Val D'Isere(hence the login). It worked out great for me, got away from the stress I had at home, managed to do something I loved every day, and working as a driver for a small operator meant that the work was easy and I now have an excellent knowledge of Alpine roads!!!
I had to make a big sacrifice to do it by selling my Porsche, but don't regret one minute of it. I now have a different look on life and only 5 months until Porsche ownership beckons!
>> Edited by skibum on Thursday 7th July 16:27
I had to make a big sacrifice to do it by selling my Porsche, but don't regret one minute of it. I now have a different look on life and only 5 months until Porsche ownership beckons!
>> Edited by skibum on Thursday 7th July 16:27
I resigned from my job in Dec 03 after 7 years at the same place and had 8 months off. Spent the first 4 snowboarding in Fernie BC, then the rest back in the UK enjoying my Tuscan and messing about with a few old cars.
I've had no problem getting contract work over the last 11 months, and managed another month off at christmas, so I def do not regret the decision. Life is too short.
I've had no problem getting contract work over the last 11 months, and managed another month off at christmas, so I def do not regret the decision. Life is too short.
Have you looked here?
www.vso.org.uk/africa2005/
or here
www.gapyearforgrownups.co.uk/
>> Edited by Migsy on Saturday 9th July 14:19
www.vso.org.uk/africa2005/
or here
www.gapyearforgrownups.co.uk/
>> Edited by Migsy on Saturday 9th July 14:19
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