About Us
Founded in 2013, we at Career Break encourage anyone ready to take the plunge – and gain invaluable life experiences and career prospects through meaningful travel.
Part of the umbrella Working Travel Group, which has over 20 years of experience in the travel industry and works with valued and responsible tour operators worldwide. Our integrated, registered charity, United Through Sport, currently operates in five countries facilitating community development, health and well-being projects, and much needed aid and assistance.
Our career development zone features a wide selection of courses and options that will help you to realise your dream job or climb further up the career ladder. Travellers can immerse themselves in the beauty and history of countries around the world and study courses and qualifications that will take them one step closer to the career of their dreams.
What is a career break?
Different people see career breaks as different things, and have different aims and objectives from their time on their career break. The recurring similarity between career breakers is the desire to dedicate some time away from your job and working life, and to spread their wings and discover more about yourself, learn something new, and experience life outside of the monotony of the traditional nine-to-five.
Maybe you just want to step back from the working environment and relax, or maybe you fancy getting a good grip on life and taking it in a completely new direction and do something you have always wanted to do, but have never had the time to do it; whether that is Kindergarten Teaching in India, Coaching Football in Argentina, or sailing through Seychelles.
A career break may be something that you have planned for years in advance, however in some cases people decide at the last minute that they desperately need to just get away. Many people will understand the word ‘sabbatical’ as a more common term to express an extended period of time away from work, however this usually refers to a situation when your employers is holding your job open to you for when you return.
In the case of many career breakers, the length of the break will determine the availability of your job when you return, as in many cases for those taking a career break will leave their current job and find a new role when they return revitalised and with a clear mind.
Why take a career break?
A career break combined with meaningful travel gives you the unique opportunity to gain exposure to some astounding countries and cultures and will give you the chance to experience a side of life in your chosen destination that you would never experience sitting at home or in your workplace. You will return to your workforce after your career break with a range of skills and cultural understanding that many of your peers will not have, which will make you stand out in a really positive way!
There is so much opportunity to develop on a career break, so do not fall for the ageing myth that a career break will hinder your future prospects. Here is just a few ways in which you will develop as an individual on your career break:
- Learn something new, or build on existing skills.
- Challenge yourself.
- Gain experience working overseas.
- Redefine and shape your career.
Nowadays employers see career breaks as a great way for applicants to improve on their transferable skills that are critical for a cohesive working environment. To find out a bit more information on how taking a career break can help with developing your work based skills take a look at our Learning and Development Opportunities page.
What can I do?
There is an amazing array of opportunities available to those looking to take a career break and travel to see the world and experience something new. The world really is your oyster when it comes to career break opportunities, so it is always worth doing your research and finding an opportunity that is constructive, taking you out of your comfort zone, broadening your horizons and letting you experience something new.
Our company Career Break offers a fantastic selection of constructive travel opportunities in a range of countries worldwide. Choose from one of the following types of career break experience:
- Volunteering in disadvantaged communities
- Internships and Work Experience in professional work environments
- Courses and Qualifications to improve your skill set and employability
- Tours for those who are keen to explore or have an adventure
You could lend a helping hand and spend time volunteering (perhaps with children in Germany or with animals in Kenya); take a course and learn a new skill (perhaps a Game Ranger Course in South Africa or a Ski Instructor Course in Canada); experience working overseas and find a paid work role (perhaps teaching in China or in hospitality in New Zealand); explore a country on a captivating overland tour (perhaps a tour of Thailand or a tour of Ghana); or use your sporting knowledge to help coach sports to children in a summer camp in St Lucia.
Most career breakers end up doing a range of activities and a combination of different opportunities during their overseas adventure. So take the opportunity to do something you have always wanted to do, and see something you have always wanted to see on your career break.