CareerNews
			Time off work Planning Travel Working in your gap year Saving

All work and no play can make Jacqueline a dull girl - with this in mind many of today's business professionals are choosing to take a substantial period out from their careers to carry out a range of activities from international travel, to volunteer work.

It is common for students to take a travelling gap year before or after university, now those who have been in work for a number of years are choosing to do the same in order to break up their careers.

Time off work
Taking an extended break from work is not a decision to be taken lightly. There are two possible options, either request some unpaid leave from your work or choose to resign.

It is up to your company whether they will agree with giving you unpaid leave, if you are considered a valuable asset to your firm and want to take only a couple of months off then your company in theory should not have a problem with this.

However if you are likely to be absent for a whole year then they may not be quite so understanding. Speak to your supervisor and if necessary write a formal letter of request to your manager or general supervisor.

If your company will not permit unpaid leave and you have already made your mind up that you want to take time off then you will be left with no choice but to resign.

Hopefully you will leave on good terms with your firm because when you return from your sabbatical you will need good references to get back in on the career ladder. Burning bridges at this stage should not be an option.

Within industries such as telecoms and IT there is a very rapid rate of technological development. You should be sure that when you return from your time off that you are still entirely up to date with current industry trends and that your skills are still relevant and fully updated.

Plan it well
Make sure you plan your gap period thoroughly and well in advance. There are numerous opportunities open to you but the most common reason for taking time off is to travel.

Top 5 ideas for your 'gap' year:

• Travel the world
• Organised expedition, e.g. Raleigh International
• Volunteer work either in the UK or abroad
• Gain some new experience in another industry
• Relax and unwind from the stresses of workplace
  

Travel
With the profusion of travel biographies currently available and a deluge of exotic destinations screened almost continuously on our televisions it is no wonder that many people are drawn in by the lure of exploring the world around us.

It is still possible to get an 'Around the World Ticket' with numerous stopovers for under a thousand pounds.

However, one important factor to bear in mind is that travelling is not cheap. You will find that when you arrive in a destination there will be numerous activities that you are likely to do for example; white water rafting, bungee jumping, and whale watching, it would be regrettable if you could not do the things you want because of limited finances.

When planning your trip shop around for good deals on airfares and equipment. If you are intending to backpack your way around the world then consider waiting until you get to the far east or the states before buying camping equipment as you will probably find it considerably cheaper out there than at home.

Similarly do not pack too many clothes, you will be able to pick up cheap T-shirts and shorts everywhere you go and these will also double up as good souvenirs.

Many people like travelling alone, as it gives you the chance to make the most of total freedom. You can do what you want to do - when you want to do it.

However there are many good reasons for taking a travel companion especially if you are venturing to some of the more exotic and dangerous parts of the world.

It is a decision you will have to make, but whether you head off alone or with a friend or companion - you will inevitably meet many people along the way.

Working in your gap year
A gap year does not necessarily have to involve travel or great expense. Many people who are not satisfied with their career trajectory choose to take a year off to sample another profession or to gain further qualifications.

Saving
Compared with saving for your gap year, hiking through the Amazon dodging anacondas will be a breeze! It is a fact that if you plan to not have an income for a number of months, or if you need to outlay for an around the world plane ticket you will need to save up a significant pot of cash beforehand.

The easiest way to do this is to make a note of all your expenses to track where your outlays are, then make a standing order to a travel account so that money will leave your salary without you missing it…. hopefully. Also, if you are having trouble saving you may choose to get other work in addition to your regular job.

Whatever you decide to do in your gap year you should make the most of the time. It is rare in our lives that we are in a position of such independence and financial solvency to be able to leave full time employment and set about doing something else possibly less practical.