Is it okay for taking time off from work to travel? (1 Viewer)

[bosoxs45]

So, I started at my current company fresh out of college 2 years ago. However, I had never really planned to get a job right out of college and instead had figured I would be traveling for a long period of time 6mo-3ish years depending on money/enjoyment. I applied for a few dream jobs just because and wound up getting one of them, which is awesome.

Unfortunately, I never really got rid of the travel bug and have kind of put some of my life on hold to save and plan for this big trip to Belize. I can't say my time working has been bad, I am in an awesome job with great contacts and living in a really nice, albeit expensive, location. But I know as time goes on it will just get harder and harder to walk away for awhile. So in the next year or two at max my girlfriend and I plan to travel for an undetermined amount of time.

My question is this, will employers look down on this and will I even be able to get a job when I get back? I plan on continuing sharpening my skills while on the road, I think my resume even now is pretty good, and I have good contacts who could probably help out getting a position.

Thoughts?

ps, no kids.

 

[belljr]

That's what vacation days are for hth

 

[Christo]

Nope. you'll never get another job. Might as well stay in Belize.

 

[johnnycakes]

What do you mean by "undetermined amount of time"? You just going to walk the earth, meeting people, getting in adventures, like Cain on Kung Fu?

 

[jonessed]

Have fun washing dishes.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

We have an employee at my company that loves long term travel. She will stockpile days for a year and a half and disappear for a month or two at a time. We know it's her bag and she is a great employee that never takes a day otherwise so we accommodate even when it's tough. Not every employer will be able to do that and if you quit to travel it will depend on your industry how that time "off" is perceived. I would think most employers would be ok with it if you are qualified. Volunteer while you travel. That will help explain your absence from the workforce.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Assuming you're never going to sake this bug and travelling for an extended period of time (more than your allowable vacation allotment) is inevitable....then do it as early on in your career as possible.

2 years of work experience is better than someone straight out of college, but you'll still be able to have a career when you get back. I wouldn't sweat it...just make sure you don't burn any bridges and are as professional as possible.

 

[Otis]

As an interviewer, I would think you are potentially flaky and less motivated than other job candidates.

 

[NutterButter]

We have an employee at my company that loves long term travel. She will stockpile days for a year and a half and disappear for a month or two at a time. We know it's her bag and she is a great employee that never takes a day otherwise so we accommodate even when it's tough. Not every employer will be able to do that and if you quit to travel it will depend on your industry how that time "off" is perceived. I would think most employers would be ok with it if you are qualified. Volunteer while you travel. That will help explain your absence from the workforce.

If I ever quit to do something like that, I'd never tell a future employer that's why I did it. If you have kids, you have so many other better excuses you can come up with that would be perceived so much better. No kids, you could still come up with a lot better. Just say your mom got sick and you had to move back near her to take care of her.

 

[Johnny Rock]

You only live once. I believe you'll be a better employee and coworker when you return. Why would an employer be afraid of a gap like that where you took a chance, went out and explored the world with confidence and came back refreshed and full of life?

Many of us would kill to take a sabbatical.

My brother worked for a Big6 accounting firm back in the day right out of college. Saved some money and built a good resume and reputation. Then he quit and went to Europe for 6-9 months. Came back, started with a new firm and is a Partner. If you're good, you're good. It will work out!

 

[5Rings]

Do it before kids and mortgage. I did something like this 14 years ago, one of the best decisions I ever made.

As an employer, I would want to hear the reason for your time off but would not hold it against you.

 

[NutterButter]

Did 2 months backpacking through Europe after grad school. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I highly suggest you do it. Blows away the collection of standard cookie cutter vacas you'll be taking for most of your adult life. Just remember to never tell a future employer that's why you took time off. You can come up with a much better reason.

 

[Da Guru]

If you are in your early 20s without a wife and kids..why not?

 

[jon_mx]

I think you could negotiate two months off. Six months would be a hard sell. You would probably have to find a new job.

 

[Freelove]

No job that comes between what you and what you want to do in a big-life-picture sense is worth giving up your dreams for.

Maybe shortstop for the Yankees, if you have a shot at that. But not much else.

There's a trillion ways to make money, but only one life to enjoy. Probably. Plan accordingly.

 

[BobbyLayne]

At my first job out of college we had a lawyer who took a year long sabbatical after two years to travel for 12 months. Among other things he went all four tennis grand slam events. Angkor Wat, Machu Picchu, Pyramids of Giza, et al. After 12 months he came back to the same position at the same firm.

Were there partners who thought he was flaky? Sure. But far more admired him and thought he was a well rounded person.

 

[TenTimes]

I think you could negotiate two months off. Six months would be a hard sell. You would probably have to find a new job.

Do this. If it's not out of your system in 2 months, move there.

 

[cstu]

No one on their death bed ever said "I wish I would have worked more instead of traveling the world."

 

[Arizona Ron]

I've traveled a lot in my life. I've never been interested in staying in any other country more than a week. I did 10 days in Bogotá and that was just too long.

Albeit, most of my travel has been for work but I always manage to find some free time.

I think you should just find a job that requires a lot of travel. You'll get rid of that travel bug quickly.

Anything more than 2 months shows up a "gap" in your resume. Saying you took 6 months off to travel tells me you're a flaky rich kid with no work ethic.

 

[joffer]

I've taken two different stints, one for a year, one for six months. Didn't have trouble getting a job either time. If you've got the freedom and the money, do it.

 

[Christo]

No one on their death bed ever said "I wish I would have worked more instead of traveling the world."

Link?

 

[boots11234]

Do it!! You will NEVER regret it. I was an exchange student for a year after HS. That was 20 years ago and I still remember it fondly. We are all only given a very short period of time on this planet, enjoy it.

The only negative I see is bringing your GF. If you guys make it to the end marry her, otherwise enjoy all the tail you'll meet along the way.

 

[Slapdash]

What kind of industry/career is this?

 

[cstu]

I've traveled a lot in my life. I've never been interested in staying in any other country more than a week. I did 10 days in Bogotá and that was just too long.

Albeit, most of my travel has been for work but I always manage to find some free time.

I think you should just find a job that requires a lot of travel. You'll get rid of that travel bug quickly.

Anything more than 2 months shows up a "gap" in your resume. Saying you took 6 months off to travel tells me you're a flaky rich kid with no work ethic.

Is this sarcasm? If not, that's sad.

Traveling for work is nothing like traveling for fun with no responsibilities.

And why would you want to 'get rid of the travel bug'?

 

[cstu]

No one on their death bed ever said "I wish I would have worked more instead of traveling the world."

Link?

http://www.viralnova.com/regret-when-older/

 

[Christo]

No one on their death bed ever said "I wish I would have worked more instead of traveling the world."

Link?

http://www.viralnova.com/regret-when-older/

Close, but not really.

 

[Gawain]

No one on their death bed ever said "I wish I would have worked more instead of traveling the world."

Link?

http://www.viralnova.com/regret-when-older/

Close, but not really.

Yeah, that chance I had to see Hanson really screams double-blind analysis.

Nothing on that list is free. Even sunscreen is more expensive than it used to be.

I work to get money to do things that I like more than work. Not disliking what I do is just a fringe benefit.

 

[Thunderlips]

If it's an "awesome job".....then why jeopardize it on a whim? I could understand if you weren't happy with your situation...but wouldn't it be better to try to manipulate vacation at the job in order to semi-placate the travel bug?

That being said, if you're confident that you could get back into whatever line of work you are in when you're done traveling; be it at home or somewhere else in the world and you have a certain amount of financial stability...Why not? I'm sure there are workplaces around that would view a desire to fufill your dreams/goals as a good thing.

 

[Fennis]

what kind of work do you do?

 

[TenTimes]

If it's an "awesome job".....then why jeopardize it on a whim? I could understand if you weren't happy with your situation...but wouldn't it be better to try to manipulate vacation at the job in order to semi-placate the travel bug?

True. My brother never traveled, sounds like a similar situation to OP's. I did. At the time he told me he regretted not traveling, but he's put everything in to his career and now has his dream job and can go anywhere in the world he wants for 2 weeks a year and do anything he wants there. He's happy with how it worked out.

I studied abroad which every parent out there with the means should try to make possible for their college kids. There are study abroad programs for pretty much every degree plan these days. I learned more in that semester than the rest of them combined,

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Will you sacrifice some opportunities and will it set you back? Probably.

Is it a death sentence? I don't think so. I'm sure that are plenty of examples like Otis and AR and plenty like BobbyLayne and Johnnyrock.

It really comes down to what your priorities are. If your goal in life is to settle down, have kids and be better off financially, then maybe you just get started on that and fit in the travel around it.

If you are more interested in experiencing life and understand the potential trade-offs down the road (which are probably less than some people might have you think), then I'd say to go for it.

 

[cstu]

If it's an "awesome job".....then why jeopardize it on a whim? I could understand if you weren't happy with your situation...but wouldn't it be better to try to manipulate vacation at the job in order to semi-placate the travel bug?

True. My brother never traveled, sounds like a similar situation to OP's. I did. At the time he told me he regretted not traveling, but he's put everything in to his career and now has his dream job and can go anywhere in the world he wants for 2 weeks a year and do anything he wants there. He's happy with how it worked out.

I studied abroad which every parent out there with the means should try to make possible for their college kids. There are study abroad programs for pretty much every degree plan these days. I learned more in that semester than the rest of them combined,

Ooh, a whole two weeks a year!

 

[Johnny Rock]

Did 2 months backpacking through Europe after grad school. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I highly suggest you do it. Blows away the collection of standard cookie cutter vacas you'll be taking for most of your adult life. Just remember to never tell a future employer that's why you took time off. You can come up with a much better reason.

Why lie? I can handle it fine when employees make mistakes but lying creates mistrust and leads to termination.

 

[East Coast Bias]

Do it now or do it when you are 60. Your choice.

 

[NutterButter]

Did 2 months backpacking through Europe after grad school. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I highly suggest you do it. Blows away the collection of standard cookie cutter vacas you'll be taking for most of your adult life. Just remember to never tell a future employer that's why you took time off. You can come up with a much better reason.

Why lie? I can handle it fine when employees make mistakes but lying creates mistrust and leads to termination.

B/c I had to take 6 months off to take care of my sick mother sounds a lot better than I had to take six months off to travel. No one is ever going to call you on it.

 

[TenTimes]

If it's an "awesome job".....then why jeopardize it on a whim? I could understand if you weren't happy with your situation...but wouldn't it be better to try to manipulate vacation at the job in order to semi-placate the travel bug?

True. My brother never traveled, sounds like a similar situation to OP's. I did. At the time he told me he regretted not traveling, but he's put everything in to his career and now has his dream job and can go anywhere in the world he wants for 2 weeks a year and do anything he wants there. He's happy with how it worked out.I studied abroad which every parent out there with the means should try to make possible for their college kids. There are study abroad programs for pretty much every degree plan these days. I learned more in that semester than the rest of them combined,

Ooh, a whole two weeks a year!

I wish I could afford to do it

 

[Dexter]

My question is this, will employers look down on this and will I even be able to get a job when I get back? I plan on continuing sharpening my skills while on the road, I think my resume even now is pretty good, and I have good contacts who could probably help out getting a position.

Thoughts?

Most will. Few wont. Put yourself as an employer. So this guy took months off to go travel. Do I want to put money into this person who has a history of folding up shop and leaving? Can I trust this person with an important account?

 

[Johnny Rock]

My question is this, will employers look down on this and will I even be able to get a job when I get back? I plan on continuing sharpening my skills while on the road, I think my resume even now is pretty good, and I have good contacts who could probably help out getting a position.

Thoughts?

Most will. Few wont. Put yourself as an employer. So this guy took months off to go travel. Do I want to put money into this person who has a history of folding up shop and leaving? Can I trust this person with an important account?

Build the trust into the resume first. It's not like he's job hopping. A one-time trip of a lifetime is not a "history."A long trip that took years of thought, imagination, planning and saving, then having it come to fruition? As an employer you can sign me up for employees like this who think, set goals and accomplish them.

 

[Dexter]

My question is this, will employers look down on this and will I even be able to get a job when I get back? I plan on continuing sharpening my skills while on the road, I think my resume even now is pretty good, and I have good contacts who could probably help out getting a position.

Thoughts?

Most will. Few wont. Put yourself as an employer. So this guy took months off to go travel. Do I want to put money into this person who has a history of folding up shop and leaving? Can I trust this person with an important account?

Build the trust into the resume first. It's not like he's job hopping. A one-time trip of a lifetime is not a "history."A long trip that took years of thought, imagination, planning and saving, then having it come to fruition? As an employer you can sign me up for employees like this who think, set goals and accomplish them.

If it happened in the past it's history and could happen again. As an employer you can have him. I'll pick from the other 5 people with similar resumes and are stable.

Look, I'm not saying don't do it, but OP has a legit concern.

 

[Thunderlips]

My question is this, will employers look down on this and will I even be able to get a job when I get back? I plan on continuing sharpening my skills while on the road, I think my resume even now is pretty good, and I have good contacts who could probably help out getting a position.

Thoughts?

Most will. Few wont. Put yourself as an employer. So this guy took months off to go travel. Do I want to put money into this person who has a history of folding up shop and leaving? Can I trust this person with an important account?

Depends on the job, depends on the career.....

 

[cstu]

My question is this, will employers look down on this and will I even be able to get a job when I get back? I plan on continuing sharpening my skills while on the road, I think my resume even now is pretty good, and I have good contacts who could probably help out getting a position.

Thoughts?

Most will. Few wont. Put yourself as an employer. So this guy took months off to go travel. Do I want to put money into this person who has a history of folding up shop and leaving? Can I trust this person with an important account?

Build the trust into the resume first. It's not like he's job hopping. A one-time trip of a lifetime is not a "history."A long trip that took years of thought, imagination, planning and saving, then having it come to fruition? As an employer you can sign me up for employees like this who think, set goals and accomplish them.

If it happened in the past it's history and could happen again. As an employer you can have him. I'll pick from the other 5 people with similar resumes and are stable.

Look, I'm not saying don't do it, but OP has a legit concern.

Best to come up with a plausible story - my girlfriend found out she had cancer so I quit my job to travel with her as her dying wish.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Just do it. I've yet to every find anyone that regretted doing so.

It may be moderately more difficult to find a job when you get back because, as we've seen from this thread, there are people that will hold it against you. That's not necessarily a bad thing because you don't want to work for those people anyway. They're the type that are going to have you constantly working extra without compensation and give you crap about taking the time off that you've earned down the line. You want to weed them out just as much as they want to weed you out.

I've hired lots of people and would never hold something like that against an interviewee. I've also been a part of plenty of interview panels and there are just some people that do nothing but make crazy extrapolations for why a person isn't going to make a good hire. The ironic thing is that the people who would hold something like this against you for not being reliable long-term are often (of course not always) the people that drive off their employees more quickly due to poor work/life balance attitude.

You don't want to work for someone that requires you to use a day of PTO to go to the dentist or go in for a parent/teacher conference for your kid. You don't want to work for someone that's going to say "no" when you request the time off for that once in a lifetime Super Bowl vacation because February is a busy month for your company.

 

[NutterButter]

My question is this, will employers look down on this and will I even be able to get a job when I get back? I plan on continuing sharpening my skills while on the road, I think my resume even now is pretty good, and I have good contacts who could probably help out getting a position.

Thoughts?

Most will. Few wont. Put yourself as an employer. So this guy took months off to go travel. Do I want to put money into this person who has a history of folding up shop and leaving? Can I trust this person with an important account?

Build the trust into the resume first. It's not like he's job hopping. A one-time trip of a lifetime is not a "history."A long trip that took years of thought, imagination, planning and saving, then having it come to fruition? As an employer you can sign me up for employees like this who think, set goals and accomplish them.

If it happened in the past it's history and could happen again. As an employer you can have him. I'll pick from the other 5 people with similar resumes and are stable.

Look, I'm not saying don't do it, but OP has a legit concern.

This is exactly why you'd never tell a future employer the truth.

 

[Fennis]

My question is this, will employers look down on this and will I even be able to get a job when I get back? I plan on continuing sharpening my skills while on the road, I think my resume even now is pretty good, and I have good contacts who could probably help out getting a position.

Thoughts?

Most will. Few wont. Put yourself as an employer. So this guy took months off to go travel. Do I want to put money into this person who has a history of folding up shop and leaving? Can I trust this person with an important account?

Depends on the job, depends on the career.....

absolutely. thats why I asked the OP what kind of work he does. For example, if he is tech people would like at it as a positive. If he flips burgers, it will be looked at as a negative.

 

[Green and Gold]

Doing this will likely set you back a few years. However, it's nothing that can't be made up for in time. You have to be willing to take a pay cut when you get back, and you'll likely not recover from it for a several years, salary-wise, but if traveling is that important to you who cares about a few more dollars?

 

[NutterButter]

Btw, are you independent wealthy? 6+ months is long time to travel. You plan on working odd jobs while traveling?

 

[kutta]

No one on their death bed ever said "I wish I would have worked more instead of traveling the world."

Link?

http://www.viralnova.com/regret-when-older/

That list cracks me up. Yeah, on my death bed I'm going to think:Never mastering one awesome party trick. This seems silly, but just think of how many amazing memories you can create

 

[Tiger Fan]

No one on their death bed ever said "I wish I would have worked more instead of traveling the world."

Link?

http://www.viralnova.com/regret-when-older/

That list cracks me up. Yeah, on my death bed I'm going to think:Never mastering one awesome party trick. This seems silly, but just think of how many amazing memories you can create

That's really the only ridiculous one on that list. Besides that, it was pretty spot on

 

[jonessed]

My question is this, will employers look down on this and will I even be able to get a job when I get back? I plan on continuing sharpening my skills while on the road, I think my resume even now is pretty good, and I have good contacts who could probably help out getting a position.

Thoughts?

Most will. Few wont. Put yourself as an employer. So this guy took months off to go travel. Do I want to put money into this person who has a history of folding up shop and leaving? Can I trust this person with an important account?

Build the trust into the resume first. It's not like he's job hopping. A one-time trip of a lifetime is not a "history."A long trip that took years of thought, imagination, planning and saving, then having it come to fruition? As an employer you can sign me up for employees like this who think, set goals and accomplish them.

If it happened in the past it's history and could happen again. As an employer you can have him. I'll pick from the other 5 people with similar resumes and are stable.Look, I'm not saying don't do it, but OP has a legit concern.

This is exactly why you'd never tell a future employer the truth.

You better be a good liar or live in big city. Getting caught lieing in interviews will get you black-balled quickly.

 

[jonessed]

My question is this, will employers look down on this and will I even be able to get a job when I get back? I plan on continuing sharpening my skills while on the road, I think my resume even now is pretty good, and I have good contacts who could probably help out getting a position.



Thoughts?

Most will. Few wont. Put yourself as an employer. So this guy took months off to go travel. Do I want to put money into this person who has a history of folding up shop and leaving? Can I trust this person with an important account?

Depends on the job, depends on the career.....

absolutely. thats why I asked the OP what kind of work he does. For example, if he is tech people would like at it as a positive. If he flips burgers, it will be looked at as a negative.

It depends on the culture if the company. The idea that most tech companies would take it as a positive is definitely not true. While the tech industry image may be open and free-wheeling the good companies have very high standards and scrutinize considerably.If this is something he really wants to do he should do it, but it's highly likely to damage his career. Whether it's worth it or not is up to him.