Career breaks can infuse new vigour at work

Gen Xers would not even have thought of doing it. But some of the Gen Ys are doing it. And many Gen Zs are doing it. Taking breaks from work.

Jonas John did it recently. He left his business development role at geospatial technologies company Magnasoft in March to do a 11,000 km road trip across nine states and five Union Territories over 50 days, along with his partner and a friend.

“I travelled from one end of the country to the other – up to the highest motorable road in the world – Khardungla. It was so much adventure, fun, breathtaking scenery. The memories will last our lifetimes. From exploring hidden gems to indulging in local cuisine, every moment was a true celebration of life and exploration,” Jonas says.

Jonas started working eight years ago, after completing a mechanical engineering course at Albertian Institute of Science & Technology in Cochin. Didn’t he have concerns about the money he’s losing? Wasn’t he worried about getting another job?

Jonas says those were not concerns at all. “I am financially solid. And I knew I had the calibre to land a job anytime I want, especially in this booming industry,” he says.

His confidence was not misplaced. In August, he was back in a business development role, this time at Enveetech, a structural BIM (building information modelling) services company. Jonas says being exposed to different cultures and different people during the two month trip helped him understand and appreciate the diversity of the world.

He says many are hesitant to take a career break because of the stigma that’s often attached to it. “I know people who want to travel more or take an extended break from work, but don’t. But, once we step out of our comfort zone and pursue what we actually love, it will surprise us to see how profoundly it impacts our personal growth and professional development,” he says.

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