How can I turn my career break into a new career?

Internships, tecahing positions, wildlife conservation and much, much more. Try something a little different and see where it takes you...

If you think that you’re alone in being tempted to take a career break then think again. A survey by the Bradford and Bingley bank has found that over half of all workers aged 35 and over wanted to either take a break or work abroad. Under this kind of pressure, employers are not just tolerating career breaks but welcoming them. The British confederation of Industry has found that over a third of private sector companies have favourable policies regarding career breaks while the public sector has long provided good support. Career breakers are not seen as slacking off but are actually viewed in a very positive light.

So now you know that it’s possible it’s time to decide what sort of break is best for you. There are a host of things that you can get involved in, all of which provide a foundation on which to build a new career. At a time of economic uncertainty it’s tempting to stick with what you’ve got and lose the confidence to change your life, but actually, career breaks can enhance your CV and your employability. In fact, if you do intend to return to your job, the company may be glad to save the cost of your salary for a while!

Diagnosing the problem

According to a survey by 'One life live’, over half the people questioned admitted wanting to change direction and that they were disillusioned with life. Literally getting away from it all provides an opportunity to gain a perspective and see “the whole picture”. Getting outside of your life and looking back in, helps you appreciate the things you like and don’t like about it. Give your life a thorough inspection before you decide anything and find out what it is that’s missing. If you are generally happy with your life but fancy a little adventure then the answer is easy; book yourself on the best adventure holiday you can find! If it’s something more significant then you may want to use your career break to make a more significant change and take your life in another direction.

Boosting your career

If you feel the need to change direction then sitting on a beach for 6 months isn’t the best use of your time. Choose well and you can come back with the skills and experience to make big changes in your life. If you want to change jobs but not careers than try and find similar work abroad. Of course some jobs can be hard to find, but if you have a career’s worth of experience behind you then many countries will be glad to make use of you. Sometimes we can hit a glass ceiling and find it difficult to increase our level of responsibility but in other countries you can often gain experience in a wide range of areas off limits at home.

Changing your career

If you’ve decided to change careers entirely then your options are as wide as your imagination. Take a moment to really think about what it is that you want to do with your life, because whatever it is, you can find a career break that will help you achieve it.

• Internships

Internships are a great way to change careers because they come in all shapes and sizes; from media training to marketing jobs. It’s a 'win win’ situation because organisations get to tap into your valuable experience and you get the chance to try your hand at something completely different. At home, finding a job can be a laborious process and you’ll normally have to make the tea for 6 months first anyway! Finding an internship is a great way to find placements that are willing to allow you to learn.

• Volunteering

Ask anyone what the best way of getting into a competitive industry is and they will probably shout “volunteering”. Not only does it demonstrate a real commitment to a career but it also gives you a chance to learn unique skills. Where else can you learn how to radio track endangered animals, build walking tracks in eco-systems or help organise a carnival! Because volunteer projects are often short of staff there is always plenty to get involved with and plenty to learn. You’ll return home with a fresh perspective and a host of skills that could form the basis of a whole new career.

• Teaching

If you want to get into teaching then you’re in luck; it’s the easiest career in which to gain experience. Whether you volunteer or find a paid placement you’ll return with glowing references, the experience of leading a class and the knowledge that it’s definitely something that you want to pursue. Getting a taste of what a job is really like is a good way of finding out whether it is right for you before you turn your life upside down.

Useful links

http://www.i-to-i.com/career-break-resources/

http://www.i-to-i.com/tefl/

http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/

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