Sabbaticals? Time off to rejuvenate? Career breaks

Will

Was browsing ted.com today and came across a very very interesting talk by Stefan Sagmeister (designer etc) Basically every 7 years he closes down his studio, takes a year out to gather his thoughts.

Have a look at the video, it's not too long and a very very interesting one.

http://www.ted.com/talks/stefan_sagmeister_the_power_of_time_off.html

I think I may adopt his views and next year take a year out and do something like travel the world. Even though I've not really started on the career ladder as of yet I think it's needed as I'm still up in the air about what I really want to do.

With career breaks being offered by lots of companies out there due to the 'recessionary times' that are upon us it may be a good chance (if you agree with his views) to take a chance and do something we otherwise would not have done.

Anyone here taken a career break? How did you find it?

Khannie

Very interesting talk. I like the idea. One thing that's always bugged me is that as you get older you get wealthier, whereas you'd enjoy life more if you had cash early on. Anyway, I'd love to take a sabbatical, but the truth is I can't afford one. I'm the only income earner for our house and the mortgage repayments need to be made so that's that.

At some point I'll be left an inheritance. I plan on taking a year out then though I'm not sure what I'll do with it. My age when it happens will be a factor.

thischarmingman

i'm 29 on my 2nd career break ( the first lasted 5 months). in australia at the moment taking it easy. i would only recommend a career break after a) building up at least 3 years experience in any profession even if it's one you hate and b) building up at least 20k in savings without having any financial responsibilities. i'll get a job soon even though i don't have too but i really feel refreshed and ready to go.

Will

yeah thats one flaw i sort of saw in his argument, that he owns the company, it's all well and good for him cos he can start back up again where as someone in my shoes may have to start from scratch all over

Herbal Deity

I might take a year out after my undergrad (2 years left), I also might just go straight to a phd and then take a year out after.

I have no idea, tbh, but I'd like to travel while I'm still young (I'm 20 now).

Khannie

Prompted by this thread I've decided to take a week off at the end of October. No plans. Just chill out in the house and recharge the batteries a bit and spend some time with the kids. Trying to think of any way I could swing a year off but not coming up with much at the moment.

Krieg

Its something id love to do
But id say there aren't many companies that would be happy to provide it.
A mate of mine was hoping to take 8 months out next year to go traveling with his other half, but his boss wasn't happy when asked about the possibility. She said he could go, but don't bother come back.

Vim Fuego

I have bookmarked the video to have a look later. No sound on my current PC. As someone who has been working in an industry for almost 4 years, I'm very much planning to take a career break. I don't especially plan to travel extensively though, I'm looking to prepare myself for a completely different career. Worst comes to the worst, I can always go back to this career having built up a decent amount of experience.

I might sound like a waster but it kills me to think I could be doing the same thing until I retire or die, especially considering I don't particularly enjoy the work or the industry I'm involved in at present. I am a worrier though, and no doubt money will play a huge part in my decision.

Khannie

Krieg wrote: »

his boss wasn't happy when asked about the possibility. She said he could go, but don't bother come back.

That's so thick. How much is it gonna cost his boss to replace him? No way he's gonna stay in that company medium term after that kind of response. Some of the short sightedness with the way people deal with their employees in this country astounds me.

HealthyWay

I think the recession has changed the way people feel about money, job security etc. The younger generation will be much more flexible as many companies will begin to see the benefits of allowing employees to take extended breaks however this will take time.

Speaking as someone who owns their own business it would be very hard for me to disappear for a year and then start up again but man I would love to!!

Krieg

Yeah it wouldnt be difficult to find a replacement for him and wouldnt require a huge amount of training. Its just the boss being a bitch and yeah he hates the place and plans to go somewhere else once things are stable

Handsome Bob

It's a great idea in theory however as already mentioned, for the average joe you'll most likely be starting from scratch (job wise) once you return. That being said, I don't think your typical one or two weeks is enough to fight off eventual burn out.

Khannie

Krieg wrote: »

Yeah it wouldnt be difficult to find a replacement for him and wouldnt require a huge amount of training. Its just the boss being a bitch and yeah he hates the place and plans to go somewhere else once things are stable

I saw the team in my last job decimated by people leaving once the economy had picked up (80% of the team within 6 months!!). I consider it a false economy to treat people like crap.

Mr Yellow

I left with the aim of a year out, & returned to this misery not so long ago (unforseen bad bad reasons) after being away for 2 & half years... NOW - im basically f**ked, no work for my qual's under economic climate so when im able, i reckon i'll have to leave this country pronto.
ONE WOULD BE MAD TO LEAVE A JOB NOW - guaranteed to get your job upon a years sabbatical - BULLSH*T in these times my friends!
Which leads on to a thread idea (im a fuppin newbie so wudnt have the foggiest to start one anyway)- should we sit tight here under economic conditions OR bail out before the rat race leaves us behind

myflipflops

Why the need for a career break? I am where my location says i am and I'll travel elsewhere with the job. It's also a step up from the job i had in Ireland.

If anyone wants to travel but is uncertain about giving up work then have a good search online for foreign work in your field. There's plenty out there from what i can see and you'll find Irish people are thought quite highly of -we are (despite the stereotypes!) well educated and hard working.

Mr Yellow

You are in Antigua PWhite?? http://www.antigua-barbuda.org/
Think of the poor sods in dead end jobs in Ireland who cant leave due to the economic climate & their personal situations as you live teh life in sun drenched lands! (jealous, that was me not so long ago). I spoke to a buddy or two recently - I asked 1 guy how was work, reply was 'im sitting in the same seat with the last 4 years! I felt sorry for him as i laughed. We were on good money tho!!
Anyways - Under Irish Economic climate - career breaks are out the window in my opinion....

OldGoat

Mr Yellow wrote: »

I left with the aim of a year out, & returned to this misery not so long ago (unforseen bad bad reasons) after being away for 2 & half years... NOW - im basically f**ked, no work for my qual's under economic climate so when im able, i reckon i'll have to leave this country pronto.
ONE WOULD BE MAD TO LEAVE A JOB NOW - guaranteed to get your job upon a years sabbatical - BULLSH*T in these times my friends!
Which leads on to a thread idea (im a fuppin newbie so wudnt have the foggiest to start one anyway)- should we sit tight here under economic conditions OR bail out before the rat race leaves us behind

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