Comments on: Starting a Career Break Movement http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/ Travel Advice and Guidance for Taking Cultural Career Breaks Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:10:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2 By: How to build an empire 1 day at a time | Ottsworld http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-1082 How to build an empire 1 day at a time | Ottsworld Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:04:12 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-1082 [...] of taking my ‘play’ dreams and slowly making them come true one day at a time…I’m building an empire of career breakers,one day at a [...] [...] of taking my ‘play’ dreams and slowly making them come true one day at a time…I’m building an empire of career breakers,one day at a [...]

]]> By: Meet Plan Go Travel Event | Ottsworld http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-994 Meet Plan Go Travel Event | Ottsworld Fri, 21 May 2010 13:50:40 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-994 [...] travel discussion is another avenue which we can use to inspire people to travel and help them realize the benefits of career breaks! We can’t do it alone, so we are enlisting the help of well known travel bloggers and experienced [...] [...] travel discussion is another avenue which we can use to inspire people to travel and help them realize the benefits of career breaks! We can’t do it alone, so we are enlisting the help of well known travel bloggers and experienced [...]

]]> By: Sherry Ott http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-980 Sherry Ott Thu, 20 May 2010 02:12:16 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-980 @Amy - thanks so much for your kind words! That's exactly what we are trying to do...make it commonplace in American society...spread the word! Sounds like you have a great story to share! @Amy – thanks so much for your kind words! That’s exactly what we are trying to do…make it commonplace in American society…spread the word!
Sounds like you have a great story to share!

]]> By: Amy http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-979 Amy Wed, 19 May 2010 23:02:39 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-979 A site like yours goes a long way towards advancing the idea of a career break in American culture. When I was in the dreaming stage, it was hard to find role models because I didn't know any in real life. A site likes yours gives people the inspiration, advice and courage to take the leap. I hope that one day what I have done, and what people on this site have done, is commonplace in American society. A site like yours goes a long way towards advancing the idea of a career break in American culture. When I was in the dreaming stage, it was hard to find role models because I didn’t know any in real life. A site likes yours gives people the inspiration, advice and courage to take the leap. I hope that one day what I have done, and what people on this site have done, is commonplace in American society.

]]> By: Sherry Ott http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-949 Sherry Ott Sun, 02 May 2010 05:23:04 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-949 @Jason and @Michael - thanks for the comments! Like anything in life, it all depends on how you approach it. If you think that 'a gap' is a negative thing, then you will most likely feel like you are at a disadvantage when it comes to re-entering the workforce. However if you look at it as a positive thing - a resume builder - one in which you went out and learned more about other cultures, international business, took smart risks, learned how to be flexible - then I'm pretty positive that you will have no problem addressing that in a cover letter, resume, or an interview. It's a matter of changing your mindset first, then you can change other people's mindsets. I look at career break travel as a very positive thing you can tout in your cover letter and resume...not something you have to 'explain'. Regardless - we still have a long way to go to get more people to think this way! Please continue to help us get America on the right track! @Jason and @Michael – thanks for the comments! Like anything in life, it all depends on how you approach it. If you think that ‘a gap’ is a negative thing, then you will most likely feel like you are at a disadvantage when it comes to re-entering the workforce. However if you look at it as a positive thing – a resume builder – one in which you went out and learned more about other cultures, international business, took smart risks, learned how to be flexible – then I’m pretty positive that you will have no problem addressing that in a cover letter, resume, or an interview. It’s a matter of changing your mindset first, then you can change other people’s mindsets.

I look at career break travel as a very positive thing you can tout in your cover letter and resume…not something you have to ‘explain’.

Regardless – we still have a long way to go to get more people to think this way! Please continue to help us get America on the right track!

]]> By: Michael http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-948 Michael Sat, 01 May 2010 05:21:26 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-948 @Jason The point is to make it so it is common. As Sherry wrote, the English have been taking career breaks for awhile now and they don't seem to be having an issue with it. As career breaks start to become more common in the states, I believe employers will start looking into the positive of travel. Plus, the 'extra' work of finding a job isn't that much of a big deal compared to the life long experience of travel itself. In todays market with the unemployment rate, many people have large gaps and its quite common nowadays. I don't believe employers are much concerned with large gaps as they use to perhaps 10 years ago. @Jason The point is to make it so it is common. As Sherry wrote, the English have been taking career breaks for awhile now and they don’t seem to be having an issue with it. As career breaks start to become more common in the states, I believe employers will start looking into the positive of travel. Plus, the ‘extra’ work of finding a job isn’t that much of a big deal compared to the life long experience of travel itself. In todays market with the unemployment rate, many people have large gaps and its quite common nowadays. I don’t believe employers are much concerned with large gaps as they use to perhaps 10 years ago.

]]> By: Jason http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-947 Jason Sat, 01 May 2010 05:04:42 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-947 It's a nice article and I agree that more people should take career breaks. However, I have to disagree with your point that taking a break won't ruin someone's career. Having a gap in a resume will hurt any American's career. The point of a resume is to get to an interview and unfortunately relying on a cover letter to explain the gap in the resume just won't do it. These people will eventually find jobs and can reach the same point of their career where they took a break but it won't be easy. It will just become that much harder reaching the interview stage without anything tangible on the resume to fill in the gap. It’s a nice article and I agree that more people should take career breaks. However, I have to disagree with your point that taking a break won’t ruin someone’s career. Having a gap in a resume will hurt any American’s career. The point of a resume is to get to an interview and unfortunately relying on a cover letter to explain the gap in the resume just won’t do it. These people will eventually find jobs and can reach the same point of their career where they took a break but it won’t be easy. It will just become that much harder reaching the interview stage without anything tangible on the resume to fill in the gap.

]]> By: Sherry Ott http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-945 Sherry Ott Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:02:21 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-945 Thanks everyone for the comments! You are all ambassadors for the Career Break movement in America! Be ready for a long road ahead...hopefully we can drag more people out of their cubicle/safe mindset and get them out exploring the world and building up their international experiences! Thanks everyone for the comments! You are all ambassadors for the Career Break movement in America! Be ready for a long road ahead…hopefully we can drag more people out of their cubicle/safe mindset and get them out exploring the world and building up their international experiences!

]]> By: Michael http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-944 Michael Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:46:09 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-944 Couldn't agree more! Spreading the virus of the travel bug in the US! Couldn’t agree more! Spreading the virus of the travel bug in the US!

]]> By: Dee Andrews http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-941 Dee Andrews Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:13:52 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-941 Don't forget career breaks are great for families too! We took ours with our 6 and 9 year old daughters in tow. It was amazing family time, and we all benefited and grew from our experiences. Don’t forget career breaks are great for families too! We took ours with our 6 and 9 year old daughters in tow. It was amazing family time, and we all benefited and grew from our experiences.

]]> By: Heather http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-929 Heather Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:18:06 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-929 Great post. We have "inspired" at least 2 sets of friends to take their own career breaks, though I'm not sure even we use that term! We'll do what we can to make it part of our vernacular but more importantly to encourage more people to actually go out and do it! Great post. We have “inspired” at least 2 sets of friends to take their own career breaks, though I’m not sure even we use that term! We’ll do what we can to make it part of our vernacular but more importantly to encourage more people to actually go out and do it!

]]> By: Adam http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-928 Adam Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:22:03 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-928 Amen!! People thought we were nuts when we told them about our RTW. Or they said, "You're so lucky, I wish I could do something like that." My response, "YOU CAN!!!" It's just not a priority here in the US, unfortunately. People are too busy trying to keep up with the Joneses and put all their eggs in one basket, so to speak. The reason we were "so lucky" was because we made our trip our priority. We didn't have expensive cars, a flat screen TV, and the other myriad of toys that everyone else seems to have. We still use our coffee table from college. We ate in almost always, we rarely went out for drinks, and we had to turn down many a fun night out in the interest of saving money. But that's what was important to us. Doing without the "comforts" that most Americans are used to so we could travel around the world for a year. Even though we've only been back for 6 months, I can't wait to do it again!!! Amen!! People thought we were nuts when we told them about our RTW. Or they said, “You’re so lucky, I wish I could do something like that.” My response, “YOU CAN!!!”

It’s just not a priority here in the US, unfortunately. People are too busy trying to keep up with the Joneses and put all their eggs in one basket, so to speak. The reason we were “so lucky” was because we made our trip our priority. We didn’t have expensive cars, a flat screen TV, and the other myriad of toys that everyone else seems to have. We still use our coffee table from college. We ate in almost always, we rarely went out for drinks, and we had to turn down many a fun night out in the interest of saving money. But that’s what was important to us. Doing without the “comforts” that most Americans are used to so we could travel around the world for a year.

Even though we’ve only been back for 6 months, I can’t wait to do it again!!!

]]> By: Aye (@BHAGNOW) http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-927 Aye (@BHAGNOW) Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:19:23 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-927 It's been almost three years since I left my job! However, I have filled my CV with traveling, interpreting, managing our travels, our blog, service projects and the social media aspect of it all! It's a big learning curve, but hey I have more fun doing all that than being a Director at a Non-profit.. being underappreciated big time!! I don't regret it for one second and boy have I learned a lot. I'm lucky that I've had a partner in crime who supports me wholeheartedly. Not everyone has that! It took us a long time to get to this point.. but we are here and that's what counts. If we can do this (relocate to Thailand) with a 7 yrs old, singles, couples without kids, could too easily! My husband's mentality was exactly what you're referring to in this article- He's American after all! But now, he's branching out into something new and exciting whereas before he was more concerned with the logistics of health insurance and stable pay. It’s been almost three years since I left my job! However, I have filled my CV with traveling, interpreting, managing our travels, our blog, service projects and the social media aspect of it all! It’s a big learning curve, but hey I have more fun doing all that than being a Director at a Non-profit.. being underappreciated big time!!

I don’t regret it for one second and boy have I learned a lot. I’m lucky that I’ve had a partner in crime who supports me wholeheartedly. Not everyone has that! It took us a long time to get to this point.. but we are here and that’s what counts.

If we can do this (relocate to Thailand) with a 7 yrs old, singles, couples without kids, could too easily!

My husband’s mentality was exactly what you’re referring to in this article- He’s American after all! But now, he’s branching out into something new and exciting whereas before he was more concerned with the logistics of health insurance and stable pay.

]]> By: Dave and Deb http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-926 Dave and Deb Tue, 27 Apr 2010 14:03:10 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-926 Career breaks I think are a necessity in this day and age. They allow you to grow as a person as well as explore something you might not undertake otherwise. We are on one now and I think it's gonna become permanent :-) Career breaks I think are a necessity in this day and age. They allow you to grow as a person as well as explore something you might not undertake otherwise.
We are on one now and I think it’s gonna become permanent :-)

]]> By: Tweets that mention Starting A Career Break Movement | Briefcase to Backpack - Travel Advice for Career Breaks or Sabbaticals -- Topsy.com http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-923 Tweets that mention Starting A Career Break Movement | Briefcase to Backpack - Travel Advice for Career Breaks or Sabbaticals -- Topsy.com Tue, 27 Apr 2010 03:50:42 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-923 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Chris Christensen, Dr. Jessica Voigts, Sherry Ott, Sherry Ott, Keith Savage and others. Keith Savage said: RT @CareerBreakHQs Starting a Career Break Movement - http://bit.ly/aNievH [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Chris Christensen, Dr. Jessica Voigts, Sherry Ott, Sherry Ott, Keith Savage and others. Keith Savage said: RT @CareerBreakHQs Starting a Career Break Movement – http://bit.ly/aNievH [...]

]]> By: jessiev http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-921 jessiev Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:46:25 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-921 brava! i love this. and i also love when career break leads to doing something you LOVE. brava! i love this. and i also love when career break leads to doing something you LOVE.

]]> By: Keith http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-920 Keith Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:34:17 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-920 Great post, really enjoyed it. Keith makes a good point too. As far as your SEO conundrum, perhaps you can plug B2B with some other related meta keywords that people actually do search for in addition to "career break." Googlers will find your site through those words and perhaps be introduced to the phrase "career break." I'm no SEO expert so YMMV. Great post, really enjoyed it. Keith makes a good point too. As far as your SEO conundrum, perhaps you can plug B2B with some other related meta keywords that people actually do search for in addition to “career break.” Googlers will find your site through those words and perhaps be introduced to the phrase “career break.” I’m no SEO expert so YMMV.

]]> By: Melvin http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-919 Melvin Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:32:53 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-919 Career Breaks are awesome! I already had 2 & I'm looking forward to have even more! :) There is no problem to get back to your job. A career break brings you so much, if you travel! You should really do something with that time & not just hang around. But if you travel... or do something else... it's superb! It also doesn't cost you that much, if you don't want to travel high end. Just save some money for 1-2 years & hit the road! Career Breaks are awesome!

I already had 2 & I’m looking forward to have even more! :)

There is no problem to get back to your job. A career break brings you so much, if you travel! You should really do something with that time & not just hang around. But if you travel… or do something else… it’s superb!

It also doesn’t cost you that much, if you don’t want to travel high end. Just save some money for 1-2 years & hit the road!

]]> By: Keith http://b2b.meetplango.com/2010/04/starting-a-career-break-movement/comment-page-1/#comment-918 Keith Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:01:47 +0000 http://briefcasetobackpack.com/?p=4277#comment-918 Keep it up B2B! I also believe that the market for a resource like this, practical advice for people that want to take a career break, but ultimately return to a more traditional life vs. becoming a full time digital nomad is huge. We just need to get more practical advice out there on how to do it and why it is a great idea. Keep it up B2B! I also believe that the market for a resource like this, practical advice for people that want to take a career break, but ultimately return to a more traditional life vs. becoming a full time digital nomad is huge. We just need to get more practical advice out there on how to do it and why it is a great idea.

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