This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Adam Stewart, 43, who lives in the UK. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
I worked for nearly 20 years straight before I took a career break.
10 of those years were at Google, which I loved, but it was a long time to be at the same company. I was aware there were other options, but when I looked for my next challenge, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do next.
In January 2024, I left Google and felt prepared to take anywhere between six months and two years out to think about my career. Any longer wouldn’t have been financially comfortable. Plus, in the fast-moving world of technology, I thought it might be hard to get back into the field after taking more than two years off.
Eight months passed before I was back to work in a new role. Taking a break was really enjoyable, and it’s something I’d highly recommend.
My career break felt like a reset.Adam Stewart
My empty calendar was exciting but daunting, so I set myself goals
At the start of my career, I spent eight years at an edtech company before moving to Google to manage the Education UK and Ireland team. This involved liaising with schools and universities to advocate for Google products. By the end of my tenure, I was a head of Public Sector for Google Cloud in the UK and Ireland.
It took a few weeks to adjust after I left Google. My calendar was suddenly blank, and my time was entirely in my control. It was exciting, but a little daunting, and I wanted to make the most of it. At first, I decided what to do day by day, but after a while, I set up a new routine that incorporated fitness, family, and relaxation time every week.
I didn’t want to be caught short or in desperate need of a job.Adam Stewart
At the start of my career break, I wrote down my goals in a Google Doc to hold myself accountable, checking them most days to update my progress. By the end, I felt like I’d achieved a lot. I spent much more time with my family, and became more hands-on with my kids’ homework and revision. I traveled to see extended family in other parts of the UK and the US. On top of that, I spent time on home improvements, volunteering, and I took an amazing bonding trip with my daughter, driving around Spain and Portugal.
Before my career break, I wasn’t strict with finances. I set aside some money to see me through my break, but without a reliable income, I had to be detailed with budgeting so I could do what I wanted with my time off. I didn’t want to be caught short or in desperate need of a job.
I stayed up-to-date with my industry, and it didn’t take long to readjust to work
I wanted to be able to transfer my skills and experience to my next job, but I was quite open-minded about what it could be.
I stayed up to date with the technology and public sector industries, and took advice from former colleagues to plan my next steps. I also made new contacts, read books, and listened to podcasts to get a more rounded view of other industries.
It was a nice surprise when people reached out after I left Google, both recruiters and industry contacts who wanted my perspective on certain business opportunities or personnel issues at work.
When someone I knew who worked at Visa reached out, it led to my next role, which I started eight months into my career break.
I went through a few rounds of interviews, where my career break wasn’t a huge focus. I think that, especially with senior roles, people have all sorts of reasons for short gaps in their careers, and companies are generally understanding.
It didn’t take me long to readjust to working life. I learned about financial services during the onboarding process and hit the ground running.
My role is a senior director for UK and Ireland government solutions. It shares similarities with my previous roles at Google, and since I’m applying my previous experience to a new context, I feel I’m growing professionally.
Read more career break stories
You can plan to make a career break feasible
My career break felt like a reset. I took a significant amount of time away from work, and I could think through what I wanted to do and what I enjoyed. It also broadened my perspective and gave me time to focus on hobbies and passions.
I’d advise others to keep an open mind toward a career break. It might feel like a big risk, but your planning, such as reviewing finances and setting goals, can help reduce that risk. Once you’re on a career break, take the time to reflect, enjoy, and embrace it.
Have you taken a career break and would like to share your story with Business Insider? Contact this reporter: ccheong@insider.com
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