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Career breaks and BIG trips recommendations

Put your working life on hold with a career break: volunteer, develop new skills, learn a language or a take part in a once-in-a-lifetime adventure

Top 10 tips for taking a career break

There are rally no limits on what you can do with your big break, but here's a few things to consider first

1. Find inspiration – remember, you CAN take a career break – read about what others have done to prove it: look at forums, ask tour companies and volunteer agencies to put you in touch with previous clients, read books...
2. Plan a volunteering placement – from studying meerkats to mentoring small businesses in developing countries, there are a wealth of options open to you. Volunteering can be a great way in to a new community.
3. Get a job overseas – finance your career break by finding work, either related to your current profession or completely different – it might even open up a hole new career for when you return home.
4. Leave your current job – think about whether you want to quit or negotiate a sabbatical: many employers are open to the idea of giving good staff members time off to learn new skills (and ease the burden in the payroll).
5. Get your affairs in order – think about the practicalities of a career break: such as renting out or selling your property, selling your ca, redirecting your post and finding a long-term cat-sitter.
6. Learn a new skill – there are infinite courses you could enrol on worldwide, from language classes to learning to scuba dive. These will not only be fun, but will look good on your CV when you return.
7. Take the kids – career breaks aren’t off limits just because you have children, and they can be a great education. Try to talk to other parents who've done something similar.
8. Make a packing list – if you’re heading off for a whole year, think carefully about what you put in your backpack: you might need to pack for different climes, but remember you can buy things en route – try to travel light.
9. Travel the world – a career break is a great time to plan a round-the-world itinerary or tick off some travel classics: the Trans-Siberian Railway, the Americas top to bottom… the list is endless.
10. Do something different – why not crew a yacht or plan a full-on expedition? Apply for a bursary to trek a never-before trekked route or go in search of a rare bird. Find a cause or quest that motivates you.

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