Ambitious... but want to go travelling

mart74

27yo male, single & no commitments.
Work in finance - job is ok, love company & co-workers. Potential for future promotions but no short-term opportunities (stable workforce!).

I am ambitious and want to further career but... have always wanted to take an extended break (8-10 months) to go travelling while I'm still young. No guarantee of unpaid career break (although my performance is highly regarded, which might help chances) but willing to leave if necessary. I have a friend who is likely to go but can't until August.

However, have just been recommended for international* 8mth secondment on an exciting project (which don't come around often). It will certainly help future promotion opportunities locally and will look great on CV. Doesn't start for a while so timing conflicts with travelling plans. (*2-3 different locations, countries not specified yet)

Option A - go travelling
Pros: will have friend to go with, will enjoy travelling more while young
Cons: potential career setbacks - will look unambitious if I turn down role I've been recommended for + not working for a number of months.

Option B - take role
Pros: 'less risky option', career boost, international work experience is something I am interested in anyway
Cons: getting older therefore likely no friends to go with (life circumstances start getting in way), company may not grant career break if I've been seconded away for months


Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice? I have a good relationship with my boss but have never mentioned desire to travel as my plans weren't concrete (worried it will make me seem less ambitious).

con___manx1

mart74 wrote: »

27yo male, single & no commitments.
Work in finance - job is ok, love company & co-workers. Potential for future promotions but no short-term opportunities (stable workforce!).

I am ambitious and want to further career but... have always wanted to take an extended break (8-10 months) to go travelling while I'm still young. No guarantee of unpaid career break (although my performance is highly regarded, which might help chances) but willing to leave if necessary. I have a friend who is likely to go but can't until August.

However, have just been recommended for international* 8mth secondment on an exciting project (which don't come around often). It will certainly help future promotion opportunities locally and will look great on CV. Doesn't start for a while so timing conflicts with travelling plans. (*2-3 different locations, countries not specified yet)

Option A - go travelling
Pros: will have friend to go with, will enjoy travelling more while young
Cons: potential career setbacks - will look unambitious if I turn down role I've been recommended for + not working for a number of months.

Option B - take role
Pros: 'less risky option', career boost, international work experience is something I am interested in anyway
Cons: getting older therefore likely no friends to go with (life circumstances start getting in way), company may not grant career break if I've been seconded away for months


Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice? I have a good relationship with my boss but have never mentioned desire to travel as my plans weren't concrete (worried it will make me seem less ambitious).

Go travelling you will regret it otherwise later in your life. I dont think it will make you look less ambitious for wanting to go travelling.
Your just living your life to its full potential. I went travelling twice in my life. I went for a year at 23 and again another year at 27.
You wont regret it. Some of my best memories and stories are from my time travelling.I also met some amazing people and have friends in many countrys around the world.
A job is only a job at the end of the day. You work to live not live to work. Maybe your company will give you a career break or you may find a better job when you return home.

NSAman

Started travelling when I was 19. Finished my degree then started the career path.ended up at 24 in a decent job but hated the fact I couldn’t take time for myself.

Job came up based abroad in an unusual situation which also came with travel on a time to time basis.. I took it. Spent two years in a very strange situation but saw parts of the world/human condition that most people never have the chance to experience...I loved it.

After job started own business, developed it. Hated being in one place though. Itchy feet is definitely something you have to contend with if you get the travel bug.

Have been to 80 countries, currently living abroad and loving it.... take every chance you get in this life. You never know where it will lead.

OMM 0000

I would take option B.

A previous employer of mine sent me to another country for an assignment (few months).

Was awesome.

Btw you're only 27. You're young and have loads of time to go traveling.

mart74

OP here - thanks for the replies!

Appreciate 27 is still young, just organising trips (even short ones) seems to prove more complex as friends get into relationships, focus more on their careers etc.

That being said - everything usually works out. Work opportunities like this don't come up often so I'm leaning towards going for that (once I find out more details).

I'd love to ask could I take a few months unpaid at end of secondment (since I'll be out of office anyway and they'll have covered my role thus far) - might be an optimistic ask though!

I'm just back from 18 months overseas, seconded from my employment here.
It was great, I did plenty of travel around the area I was working, cheap flights & good location meant I visited 21 countries in 18 months. I met lots of other people who wished to travel, & there were plenty of weekends with new friends.
It will also allow you the confidence to travel alone, when you do decide to go.

You're 27, you have a chance to do both! I'm 43 & I still think I might take a year out of work yet.

Tr_18

I'm in a similar quandary regarding travel vs career. After graduating I spent 1 year abroad and I'm back in Ireland for 1 year now working in a small business.
I've had itchy feet since i came home and I'm searching for a different job at the moment which I would plan on staying put with for at least 8 months. (other half is in a good job and wants to stay to get good experience)
I'm just cautious of burning bridges with a perfectly good company and possibly being unable to return there in future. When i do leave Ireland again I'd be aiming to moved to Canada/Australia and get a job in a similar field in order to keep my CV relevant

mart74

Hi all

Thanks again for your responses - you've been very helpful and I appreciate it.

Decided will take the role - it sounds like a good opportunity, which don't come around too often and advantageous to my career. I think I'll still want to go travelling at some point, hopefully there will be a stage when the timing works out better.

Question - I have always expressed an interest in working abroad and am appreciative of my company's efforts to recommend me on an interesting project. However, given that I will be working quite hard on the project, and that it increases my long term value to them (increased knowledge, better skillet)
- is it appropriate to ask for a pay increase at this point? Or is it a conversation better left until after successful completion of the project.

Thanks again

Eric Cartman

mart74 wrote: »

27yo male, single & no commitments.
Work in finance - job is ok, love company & co-workers. Potential for future promotions but no short-term opportunities (stable workforce!).

I am ambitious and want to further career but... have always wanted to take an extended break (8-10 months) to go travelling while I'm still young. No guarantee of unpaid career break (although my performance is highly regarded, which might help chances) but willing to leave if necessary. I have a friend who is likely to go but can't until August.

However, have just been recommended for international* 8mth secondment on an exciting project (which don't come around often). It will certainly help future promotion opportunities locally and will look great on CV. Doesn't start for a while so timing conflicts with travelling plans. (*2-3 different locations, countries not specified yet)



Option A - go travelling
Pros: will have friend to go with, will enjoy travelling more while young
Cons: potential career setbacks - will look unambitious if I turn down role I've been recommended for + not working for a number of months.

Option B - take role
Pros: 'less risky option', career boost, international work experience is something I am interested in anyway
Cons: getting older therefore likely no friends to go with (life circumstances start getting in way), company may not grant career break if I've been seconded away for months


Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice? I have a good relationship with my boss but have never mentioned desire to travel as my plans weren't concrete (worried it will make me seem less ambitious).

Absolutely take option B, the company will send you to another country which is travel, they'll be paying all your expenses so you can save more for your travel, itll rip the band aid off of not seeing family and friends, also chances are theres a temp replacement in the wings back home while youre gone. Take your 8 months and take 10 months leave straight after it , you'll be flush with cash , the temp can stay working your job at home, youve done good for the company and you get to enjoy your travel fix then you return, youve been gone 18 months total and youre still a more experienced employee and got to see the world.

mart74

Hi all

OP here. Updating on my situation.

Short version: accepted role, however delay means I've re-considered life priorities and will leave to go travelling.

Originally confirmed to work that I wanted role - it sounded exciting and good for my career. Definitely my exposure in the company locally has been boosted.

However the international part kept getting delayed, and the scope shortened in both duration and # days per week.

Re-considered life goals. It's hard enough to find the right moment to go travelling and the longer I leave it the harder it will be (committments, ageing parents, career etc). As it happened, I had no sooner came to this conclusion than (finally) a not-to-distant start date was given to me.

However, I've made up my mind and last week, a number of months after originally accepting I've told work I'm going to go away later this year for 9 months,dates not flexible (as I'm going with a friend). I've given them 4 months notice (notice period is 3) to give them maximum time before the start date to either decide if I should work internationally as part of my notice period or they should backfill my role.

It went down a bit mixed in work. People are dissapointed that I'm leaving as I'm highly regarded, however some senior people acknowledge my timing as being inconvenient in light of the upcoming project. I pointed out (and most agree) that there rarely is a 'good' time to leave a job and the reasons for my timing are purely personal and nothing to do with the role or the company (which I like).

My boss will push HR for a career break (not really done in my company but since I'm well thought of). Either way, we are all clear I'll be handing in my notice at the 3 month mark if no career break.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice. I think it's easy to get caught up in career, but if I didn't go travelling for whatever reason I'd always regret it. In the scheme of a potential 35-40 year career, a 9 month break is nothing!

TimeToShine

I was in a similar situation - less than two years into a very good role with a highly regarded company, the promotion rat race was in full force amongst the young lads if we stuck around and put in the work. Left, travelled for a year and a half and came back without a penny to my name, took me two or so months to walk back into a role a tier above the one I was in with a direct competitor and with a 30% salary bump. There are still lads and girls doing their time with the other company trying to get the same promotion.

Just go, you may not realize it but good finance jobs are literally a dime a dozen if you're willing to jump ship and work hard. The chance to travel won't come around again.

OMM 0000

mart74 wrote: »

Hi all

OP here. Updating on my situation.

Short version: accepted role, however delay means I've re-considered life priorities and will leave to go travelling.

Originally confirmed to work that I wanted role - it sounded exciting and good for my career. Definitely my exposure in the company locally has been boosted.

However the international part kept getting delayed, and the scope shortened in both duration and # days per week.

Re-considered life goals. It's hard enough to find the right moment to go travelling and the longer I leave it the harder it will be (committments, ageing parents, career etc). As it happened, I had no sooner came to this conclusion than (finally) a not-to-distant start date was given to me.

However, I've made up my mind and last week, a number of months after originally accepting I've told work I'm going to go away later this year for 9 months,dates not flexible (as I'm going with a friend). I've given them 4 months notice (notice period is 3) to give them maximum time before the start date to either decide if I should work internationally as part of my notice period or they should backfill my role.

It went down a bit mixed in work. People are dissapointed that I'm leaving as I'm highly regarded, however some senior people acknowledge my timing as being inconvenient in light of the upcoming project. I pointed out (and most agree) that there rarely is a 'good' time to leave a job and the reasons for my timing are purely personal and nothing to do with the role or the company (which I like).

My boss will push HR for a career break (not really done in my company but since I'm well thought of). Either way, we are all clear I'll be handing in my notice at the 3 month mark if no career break.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice. I think it's easy to get caught up in career, but if I didn't go travelling for whatever reason I'd always regret it. In the scheme of a potential 35-40 year career, a 9 month break is nothing!

I think you've handled it well.

No doubt in a few months when you're in Vietnam/Thailand/Whatever you'll be so happy with your decision.

duffman13

You've made the right choice, you work in a competitive industry and career prospects should be good when you return. I did similar when I was 28, my career break was rejected even though I was well thought of. When I returned after 18 months I looked around and was offered a position in another company. My previous employer contacted me and offered me a better contract than the new one. Ended out returning to work on 50% more than when I left so from a salary perspective it wasn't bad for my career

OMM 0000

duffman13 wrote: »

You've made the right choice, you work in a competitive industry and career prospects should be good when you return. I did similar when I was 28, my career break was rejected even though I was well thought of. When I returned after 18 months I looked around and was offered a position in another company. My previous employer contacted me and offered me a better contract than the new one. Ended out returning to work on 50% more than when I left so from a salary perspective it wasn't bad for my career

And more importantly... I bet the traveling was one of the best things you've ever done.

antix80

Good to hear you made a decision. I didn't realise your first post was so long ago and started replying to it.
My advice would have been to do the secondment, providing that the countries you were going to are interesting and you'd have the opportunity to live and socialise abroad.
From the sounds of it, that's not what was going to happen.

I'm glad you're confident about being highly regarded, etc. Just remember that managers will say anything to keep you sweet. But they didn't make good on their promises in the past and that's what you based your decision on.

Regarding career breaks.. most HR departments don't like giving them. They basically say, quit and reapply when you come back if you're still interested.