You deserve a career break! Here’s how to take yours

 If it feels like your life has been stuck in second gear lately, maybe it’s time for a career break. Also known as gap years for adults, it’s a great time refocus on what you want in your life and career (while traveling of course). 

Life at work can be pretty stressful and it’s important to take the time off and hit pause on the responsibilities of adulthood. Despite what society seems to imply, while your job is a responsibility in your adult life, your job is not your life. Especially if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed in your career lately, taking a career break at 30 can give you a fresh perspective on what work/life balance really looks like.

Take the dive into career break travel and finally give that travel bug that’s been with you forever the time of day. Get in touch with your inner child and cross off a few items on the bucket list. A career break will help you learn to take risks and live fearlessly. Taking a gap year in your 30s or later is nothing to be scared of. Take a break from the mundane and embrace the spirit of discovery!

When it comes to taking a grown up gap year, you can do just about anything. Whether you want to start a business, study abroad, or teach, there are many companies that specialize in gap years for adults. Taking much needed time off would not only benefit your employer (we’ll get to this point later), but most importantly it’s you taking care of yourself and practicing self-care in the most memorable way.

Here’s everything you need to know to make your very own career break happen.

Adult gap year FAQs

Who can take an adult gap year?

If you thought a gap year was just a thing for college kids and twenty-somethings, think again! While your younger counterparts often take a gap year to learn responsibility, or about themselves, you are never “too old” to learn. The stream of opportunities doesn’t just dry up after you turn 30. People often ask when it is the best time to take a gap year in your 30s and beyond, and the answer is at any age! 

                                                       

Taking a career break is the new rite of passage that is ageless and genderless. Even if you have a spouse or children, there a plenty of career break programs designed with you in mind. You have no excuse not to go.

Where can I go on my grown up gap year?

Your radical sabbatical can happen just about anywhere! At home, abroad. We certainly like abroad. Teach English in China, volunteer at a French bed and breakfast, or grow a garden in Peru. The possibilities are endless and packed with amazing career break ideas 

Most adult gappers opt for all those places on their bucket list they haven’t quite got to yet. While long train rides and relatively uncomfortable living situations might not seem attractive at first, you might get hooked on adventure and forego the churches and organized traffic of Europe for something a little more wild and unfamiliar. 

Because of the variety of activities and programs available, you can visit most developed and developing nations. The only limitations you might see on places you can visit are for TEFL or teach abroad programs. This is due to some countries and not the programs themselves having an age limit for visitors over 50 to teach abroad. But take this with a grain of salt—your program is a great guide for navigating any limitations you might encounter abroad. Worst case scenario you can spend your year volunteering, teaching, or learning a language that is even more amazing than your first choice.

What types of activities are popular for a grown up gap year?

So. many. options.

Work abroad career break ideas

A career break but not a work break, how does this work? Easy, these career break travel organizations below offer roles that use your strengths to empower communities. These gap year for adults programs will take the “work” out of work and will immerse you in an environment that inspires instead of burning you out. Most of these positions in organizations like Outreach International and Volunteering Journeys assign you to global non-profit organizations for up to six months. Highly personalized, each gap year for adults program fit your skill set and interests (although going outside the box is encouraged!) Choose one of the many projects each program has to offer and go make a difference!

Recommended programs:

• City Travel Review
• Volunteering Journeys
• Outreach International

Volunteer abroad career break ideas

Volunteering during a career break is a great way to experience a new culture and gain valuable skills that will look awesome on you return. For career breakers on a budget it can also make your year abroad a little less pricey. Some of these gap year for adults programs below pay for your room and board in exchange for your service. This career break travel activity also gives you the opportunity to meet other volunteers with similar interests. While everyone’s grown up gap year is a personal journey sharing new experiences with others is just another perk.

Recommended adult gap year volunteer programs:

• Projects Abroad
• Peace Corps
• Cross-Cultural Solutions
• Global Vision International (GVI)
• Lead Adventures

Language abroad career break ideas

If learning a new language has been on your bucket list, cross it off with one of these language abroad programs. While practicing your dream language on Duo Lingo or Rosetta Stone are great and all, nothing beats being the immersive experience of studying in the native country. Regardless of how far in life or in your career you are, it’s never too late to learn and the experience will only benefit you in the long-run. While there is no promise you will become bilingual, your new level of fluency will make employers love you and make you an asset in your job back home.

Recommended language schools for adults:

• Language Link
• Maximo Nivel
• Languages Abroad

Teach abroad career break ideas

If you’re looking from a change of pace from the corporate world teaching abroad is can be a great option for you. These opportunities often have flexible work hours so you can split your time between teaching and learning about your country. You can teach everywhere from Chile, to China. As a TEFL instructor you can leave lasting impacts on your student’s lives, teaching them English that will open doors and opportunities. Even though some of these trips require that you have a TEFL certification or a bachelor's’ degree to start, teaching abroad is another opportunity to give back and having a meaningful grown-up gap year.

Recommended teaching jobs:

• World Teach 
• LanguageCorps
• International TEFL Academy

How do I budget for career break travel?

Gap years for adults can be pricey. The minute you know you want take your radical sabbatical start saving right away. Although the attitude behind a gap year in your 30s should be all carpe diem, your planning strategy shouldn’t. Make a budget for how much you think it will cost, and then create a savings plan to figure out how long you’ll have to save to make this a reality. Plan at least a year in advance your break, and save for at least six months’ worth of additional income for when you return.

Will a taking a career break at 30+ hurt my career?

The short answer is no. In fact, it can help you. 

Gap years for adults allows you to gain life experience, which can build your soft and hard skills. Plus using your skills in a different environment can strengthen and diversify your problem solving capabilities. In addition to having cool stories to tell when you return or while you’re on job interviews, your new skills in global problem solving will stand-out at your next job.

But before you quit, check with your boss to see if your company will allow you to take an unpaid sabbatical. Explain to your boss all the benefits this career break will have and explain your intent to return after your break. Even if your company doesn’t usually allow its employees to take a year off it’s always worth asking. 

If you’re still worried about taking a career break at 30, there are still ways to keep up on the latest industry news while you’re away. Read trade magazines and stay connected with your contacts back home. When you’re on the job hunt when you return, your network can help to possibly help to keep your search short. While it’s easy to stay in the know with the internet, reading up on your industry shouldn’t become an everyday activity. This radical sabbatical is far from a business trip. Focus on why you’re there and get the most out of your time away.

Next stop: a gap year in your 30s

The irony is that it’s not actually a stop. You’re alive! Go go go!

Returning from your adult gap year will have you feeling rejuvenated and like a major bad@$$! 😎

While a career break is the perfect time to catch up on z’s you’ve lost working late nights at the office, your grown-up gap year is more than leisure time. The whole point of having a career gap year is having the opportunity to refresh and refocus. Whether it is realizing you want a career change, learning a new skill, or revitalizing your passions; your time abroad is a chance to have memorable experiences and return a better you. 

So don’t keep sitting at your desk thinking about when you’re going to take a career break, start planning on it. Gap years for adults are growing in popularity. So get with the spirit and get up and go!