Other comments

Tweets that mention In the News: Millican Giveaway | Briefcase to Backpack - Travel Advice for Career Breaks or Sabbaticals -- Topsy.com on Tue, 22nd Dec 2009 9:32 am 

[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by BriefcasetoBackpack, Melissa. Melissa said: In the News: Millican Giveaway | Briefcase to Backpack – Travel …: Briefcase to Backpack: Offering travel adv.. http://bit.ly/7KK9fS […]

Dave on Tue, 22nd Dec 2009 10:52 am 



My biggest step after my career break was to embrace my passion for travel + blogging and begin to figure out how that can translate into a full time income.

And lots of networking!

Still working on my goals for 2010, however they’ll definitely include moving out of my parent’s house!

Keith on Tue, 22nd Dec 2009 10:56 am 



Nearly four months ago my wife Amy and I left successful careers with large corporations/firms to travel for a year. Being in our early thirties and having saved extensively for the trip we are not traveling in the typical budget backpacker style, which has made using the typical resources (Oonly Planet) challenging. Additionally we have decided to use the time and our travels to document what sustainability means to consumers and business around the world. So in addition to traveling we are using our career break to further our careers in the sustainability sector.

Check us out at http://www.greenaroundtheglobe.com

Barabra @ Hole In The Donut Travels on Tue, 22nd Dec 2009 11:30 am 



I simply couldn’t go back into corporate life after returning from my RTW trip, so I decided to just keep traveling and blogging. After three years, I am finally starting to make ends meet as a travel writer. Lots of long-term travel is planned for next year, beginning with Mexico, Central and South America in the spring.

Anil on Tue, 22nd Dec 2009 2:11 pm 



I’m a very stubborn and persistent person so I’ve tried my best to make those qualities work for me. I really have tried to make my life into what I’ve envisioned, fueled by some of the things I’m more passionate about. That includes blogging and doing lots of freelance computer work on the side to fund my desire to see as much of the world as feasible.

The next step is always to keep it going and remember to enjoy it along the way.

brian | No Debt World Travel on Tue, 22nd Dec 2009 2:37 pm 



After my career break I continued to write and release a book, a dream of mine for years but never fully pursued. Until I left my job the solutions didn’t appear to me.

Going forward I am creating a life where I am not dependent anyone but myself for income.

The only future you can predict is the one you create for yourself…

T-roy on Tue, 22nd Dec 2009 5:44 pm 



After I quit my job all I knew was that I didn’t want to have another job again. Easier said then done but I have been hanging out traveling for almost 8 months now and been able to generate money back in from trading stocks. This has kept me afloat and can see it working for me for a long time.

For 2010, things I want to make for goals is:
1) improve my website and gather a larger following
2) travel to at least 6 more countries for the year, taking my time and enjoying them.

Not on the list for 2010: A J-O-B! lol

Jason of Two Backpackers on Tue, 22nd Dec 2009 9:21 pm 



We just started travel blogging and traveling beginning in late August of 2009. Both Aracely and I have enjoyed it to the fullest. I am finding that doing what I love is a completely different experience than doing what you don’t… as expected. My goal is to put a tremendous effort into this new found hobby of travel blogging, especially video travel blogging and work towards making it a sustainable career. When I return I will make sure my rtw trip and our blog is not over, but rather just beginning.

Dave on Tue, 22nd Dec 2009 9:37 pm 



Jason – that’s awesome! Glad to hear you intend to keep the blog going after your trip finishes.

Chris (Amateur Traveler) on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 4:23 am 



Does starting your own travel business count?

Peter on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 10:32 am 



I’m going back to France and Germany to research my grandfather’s activities as an American ambulance driver during WWI. January and February may not be the prettiest time to go, but that’s when I have time.

floreta on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 1:39 pm 



hey! i’m going on a career break next year. i will be volunteering in india for three weeks in january. after that, i am moving abroad for a year in the philippines. my goal is to make a career switch into freelance writing. after i got fired, i started thinking more and more on ways that i could pursue entrepreneurship and would like to do more freelance w/ my various skills (writing, graphic/web design, social media) and maybe even start a business with my art/photography. i hope to explore more avenues and be inspired while i live in the philippines.

Jason on Wed, 23rd Dec 2009 4:54 pm 



I did not quit my career after 30 years, or 15 years, or 1 year in order to go travel. I have pursued my interest in business since I was 16 in order to travel.

I have been running businesses online since I was in high school. Since I had no money to start any business when I was 16 and was going to high school full time I had to force myself to come up with a way to make it work.

I ended up creating an ecommerce store, buying from 1 item minimums from wholesale distributors only when I actually sold an item. This model requires no inventory on my end because the companies ship directly to my customers. What I do is process each order, answer customer questions, and market my website. It certainly required a ton of work to get this going, just like any other business.

When I entered university I had 4 months free each summer to do what I wanted. So I traveled in South America each summer for three months, and studied abroad one semester that meant staying in South America for 8 months.

By my sophomore year of university I started a completely new business offering career consulting. I rewrite resumes/CVs and do mock interviews on the phone with clients, etc. This business has really grown considerably with an all time high of 50+ new clients last month. I also do this remotely and have continued running both businesses while abroad and going to university full time.

I graduated university 1 semester early, two weeks ago. I am now living as a location independent professional. I am visiting family in Pennsylvania and then Florida before I begin my next trip to South America by the end of January, 2010.

Sherry Ott on Thu, 24th Dec 2009 12:19 am 



Chris – when it’s as successful at Amateur Traveler Podcast – it does!
Floreta – what exciting plans…you will be exposed to so many possibilities when you get to the Philippines! Enjoy your volunteering time in India – it my favorite part of my career break!
Jason – turning your hobby into a career – all of our dreams! Good luck!

Heather on her travels on Thu, 24th Dec 2009 5:17 am 



If I took some time off from my day job I’d like to do a combination of extended travel combined with learning a language & some volunteering – I think South American becons for this. And then I’d like to hide away & really focus on building my blog into a business without too many distractions – children and husbands can be so demanding!!

ashley on Thu, 24th Dec 2009 5:43 pm 



I am lucky enough to not really need to work in an office – as long as I have internet and a phone I can do everything remotely. As a result I have requested and am in the process of working out the logistics of spending a year in Asia – I’m thinking 4 locations for 3 months each. Your blogs have been an inspiration – thank you!

Melonie on Fri, 25th Dec 2009 8:06 pm 



Hmm… after a career break I think the first thing I would do is head to Sweden. It sounds like a very lovely place and I would love to explore my heritage and the culture. As a graphic artist by trade, I would give myself ample opportunity to pursue my own personal artistic desires.

Chris on Fri, 25th Dec 2009 11:36 pm 



The first, and most important step for me, would be to spend as much time as possible re-prioritizing my values and place in the world. A spiritual yoga lesson.

That experience kicks off in less than 100 days 🙂

Phil Wyman on Sat, 26th Dec 2009 11:03 am 



The Celtic lands call my soul. I plan on becoming fluent in Welsh, and climbing to the top of Cadair Idris to spend the night. It is said that the person who sleeps on the mountain will come down the next day as either a poet or a madman – not that it matters which I receive.

Scott on Sat, 26th Dec 2009 11:23 am 



I’m planning my ‘break’ this summer. Although I sortta hope it’s not a break as the goal is indefinite travel. The date I set for myself is June 1, I had planned on March or April, but I want to stick around to see a couple new additional to the family.
The next step for me is getting a personal site up (I don’t want to be a lifecaster though) which will go up around New Years, and route planning. Which will be more of a I wanna go that way, nothing concrete. Then not sure I should go to SXSW but would really like to go to Travelblogexchange in June.

Juliet on Sun, 27th Dec 2009 5:18 pm 



Hi there. After my upcoming (1-2yr) “career break”, I am going to return to college on the GI Bill to finish my degree (with breaks for extended travel, of course). I hope to work for a non-profit like Friends of the Earth, Human Rights Watch, or another similar international organization.

Alonna on Sun, 27th Dec 2009 11:24 pm 



My husband and I are about half-way through our 1-year career break, and we’ve discussed a wide range of options for our next steps… from going back to work and saving up money for another career break, to starting our own hostel/B&B in the mountains.

While haven’t settled on any particular solution yet, one thing is for sure – somehow we want to incorporate more extended travel in our future. In other words, fewer hectic 1-week vacations, and more relaxing 1-month vacations!

flip on Tue, 29th Dec 2009 10:26 am 



After quitting my corporate job last March and traveling for six months, I’m now back home. Well, at least for awhile. After that so called, “career break,” I realized that the travel is my passion. So now I’m on the move for a career shift and I want to redesign my life. I’ll be actively looking for a job in the travel industry for the meantime so I could save some money. I’m also in the process of learning the ropes of how to earn money without working because I’m a little tired of the usual 9-5 job. I really don’t care anymore about the measure of success of my society. My ‘so called career break’ became a life changing event in my life.

katiemae on Fri, 1st Jan 2010 8:15 pm 



I’m retired and have survived a number of surgeries in the last 2 years. I have one more Jan 5th and then I’m off to see one niece in Madrid and another in Guatemala and nephew in Brooklyn. Pack light and travel far!!! 🙂

Robbin on Sat, 2nd Jan 2010 12:28 pm 



I am well on my way out of my career change into starting wine & food tour company. I leave for Italy to research my guidebook in February.

Maria G on Sat, 2nd Jan 2010 12:39 pm 



After losing my job as a Software Engineer several months ago, I am starting to look into becoming an Entrepreneur with my own business. I have ideas of the type of business I want. I am an avid world traveler, a vegan, & into healthy/wellness products. I will be taking a class on Getting into the Import Business. I want to import products I find during my world travels. I may also write a unique world dining book. I am attending a networking event which advises people on starting a business for $100.

Craig on Sun, 3rd Jan 2010 2:15 am 



After a 25 year career (good pay but very stressful), I quit, and my wife and I backpacked South America for 3 months. For the last 9 months I have been volunteering, providing aid to individuals impacted by disasters and going back to school. My goal is to travel the US and world, providing relief and clean water for those impacted by natural disasters. Our income is running at 20% of what it use to but were extremely happy and making it work.

David on Tue, 5th Jan 2010 2:00 am 



I would continue to travel and volunteer around the world as opportunities arose. I do hope to have the chance to volunteer with the Peace Corp sometime soon.

Michaela Potter on Tue, 5th Jan 2010 7:53 pm 



Wow! There are some great comments and inspiring stories here!

It’s great to see some old friends (Dave, Barbara, Anil, Jason of TwoBackpackers, Chris of Amateur Traveler, Alonna) but even more new friends (Keith, T-Roy, Peter, Floreta, Jason, Heather, Ashley, Melanie, Chris, Phil, Scott, Juliet, Flip, Katiemae, Robbin, Maria, Craig, and David) participate in our first contest.

Looks like we’ll have many more career break stories to share on our site!

Angela on Tue, 5th Jan 2010 10:13 pm 



I am taking a career break in a months time, to travel to South America. When I return I will likely be looking for some short term contracts and continue to build up my own client base.

Cornelius Aesop on Wed, 6th Jan 2010 9:53 am 



I have to agree with Michaela Potter in that there are some amazing and inspiring stories here. I just started my ‘career’ and once I finish my Masters in Education I plan on heading on a RTW trip, starting off possibly in Peru to work and save up. Until then mini trips, Tokyo is next on my list and maybe a bicycle journey for a few weeks across the USA.

Mark H on Thu, 7th Jan 2010 3:54 pm 



I am undergoing my career change now, setting up to work for myself and hopefully giving a little more time for travel and keeping my blog going. Some excellent and uplifting stories here and the little wash bags look well designed and thoughtfully made as well.

Michaela Potter on Fri, 8th Jan 2010 11:06 am 



Thank you for the great response to our first giveaway! We couldn’t be more thrilled and will be announcing the winner next week.

And we love knowing that there are so many people out there who embrace the idea of career breaks and sabbaticals.

Thanks again for the support and look for more giveaways in the future!

Michaela Potter on Tue, 19th Jan 2010 1:25 pm 



And we have a winner! Congrats to Chris from the Amateur Traveler who was randomly selected by our sponsors at Millican to receive “Jonathan the Roll Wash”. Perhaps this is a timely sign as Chris just left his day job to start some new ventures in the travel community!

Thank you to Jorrit & Nicky Jorritsma for donating a great item for our first giveaway and for sharing their story (read more here: http://briefcasetobackpack.com/2009/12/next-steps-turning-a-passion-into-a-business/)

And thank you all for making our first giveaway such a success. Be sure to look out for more soon!

J.Tony Stuthman on Sun, 28th Nov 2010 12:10 pm 



I believe sustainability must be promoted everywhere we travel!