UNIT 9. CAREER BREAKS

 

STARTING POINT

Task 1▐ Discuss the questions.

·        How common are carrer breaks in your country?

·        What do people use the time for?

·        What problems might the carrer breaks cause?

 

READING

Task 2▐ Read a piece of the article devoted to the issue of a career break. Taking a career break can feel like a big decision for anyone. Think about some things that can make you take a career break.

 

Career Break Guide

By Returners Careers Team for fdmgroup.com

 

An increasing number of people are choosing to take a career break.

What is a career break?

A career break is any unpaid leave from work that lasts longer than 2 months.  A career break can be any length of time, from 2 months onwards (even as long as 20 years!); however, they generally last around 6 months. Unlike a sabbatical, you do not typically have a job lined up for your return to work.

Some of the main reasons people may choose to take a career break are to travel, look after their children or have a well-deserved rest, but this will vary from person to person.

Reasons for taking a career break

Whether you’re taking a career break for personal or health reasons, there are many benefits to taking some time out to work on yourself. Let’s delve a little deeper into the reasons why some time away from the office could be beneficial for you.

1. Gain a new outlook on life

Taking a career break can help you see life from a different perspective and provide you with some much-needed detachment from your work life. It is often easy to get wrapped up in your profession and allow yourself to live on autopilot, which could result in you missing out on incredible opportunities. For instance, many of us can go for years without changing lines of work or companies, when, in fact, change can be a good thing.

2. Expand your skillset

If you are looking to expand your skillset, upskill yourself or retrain completely, that’s another reason to take a career break. Without the stresses of work and much more spare time on your hands, you can solely focus your time and energy on studying or gaining new qualifications. Whether that’s through higher education, online courses or volunteer work, you can use your break from work to better yourself, improve your future employability and open doors to new opportunities,

3. Spend quality time with family

A healthy work-life balance plays a key role in leading a fulfilling life, and with this, comes the importance of healthy family relationships, too. After all, family comes first. For most, real quality time with family only comes during annual leave, maternity or paternity leave, however, there are many advantages to extending this break and spending more time with family.

4. Take a break from toxic work environments

Cronyism, gossip, discrimination, office tension and employee burnout are all signs of a toxic work environment and a clear indication that you should consider leaving your company. Yet, sometimes, it is not so evident. For example, it is not uncommon for employees to blur the line between work and home life, working overtime, on weekends or talking about nothing other than their job outside of the office. This can also indicate an unhealthy work culture.

Working in a toxic environment can be draining and it takes some time to recover from, which is why a career break can be a good idea in this case.

5. Reevaluate your career plans

You may find yourself in a rut at work, experiencing stagnated progression and lacking motivation in your day-to-day. This is a sign you need to reevaluate and redirect your career plans. Taking a career break can give you time to reflect and reassess your career goals, decide where you want to be in the future and how to get there. This way, you can look back in 10 years’ time and feel accomplished and satisfied with your career choices.

6. Get involved in a passion project

A passion project is anything that you work on, outside of work, that brings you joy and satisfaction. This could be recording a podcast, writing a novel or coding a video game. Whatever you’re interested in, a career break allows you to focus on your passions and gain a sense of self-fulfilment that would otherwise be challenging, if not too much to take on, in addition to your work responsibilities.

7. Travel the world

Taking a travel break from work can be an exciting adventure that brings new learnings and experiences to your life. Think of it as an adult gap year(s) or year abroad! Travelling can widen your horizons, boost your confidence, improve your communication skills and make you a better-rounded person – which may even make you even more employable if you decide to return to the workplace.

8. Focus on your mental health and wellbeing

A career break for health reasons is very common, and the same goes for mental health. Our professional life can take its toll on our mental wellbeing, leading to stress, burnout, sleeping problems and more serious issues. However, it is important to remember that our health should be our top priority over an attractive salary or fancy job title.

9. Grow your professional network

Whether you’re just starting your career or well-established in the working world, growing your professional network is key. There are a multitude of ways to grow your network, such as going to face-to-face events and conferences, webinars or connecting with professionals on online platforms. Networking can raise your business profile and widen your career prospects through mutual connections, which can help your job hunt if you decide to return to work.

 

Task 3▐ Answer the text dependent questions conserning carrer breaks.

1.        What is a career break defined as in the text?

2.        How long can a career break typically last?

3.        How does a career break differ from a sabbatical?

4.        According to the text, what are some common reasons people take a career break?

5.        Why might taking a career break help in gaining a new outlook on life?

6.        In what ways can a career break help in expanding one's skillset?

7.        Why is spending quality time with family highlighted as a reason to take a career break?

8.        What are some signs of a toxic work environment mentioned in the text?

9.        How can a career break help in reevaluating career plans?

10.   What benefits are highlighted in the text for getting involved in a passion project during a career break?

 

VOCABULARY

Task 4▐ Match each term with its corresponding definition.

Terms:

1)           sabbatical

2)           burnout

3)           rejuvenate

4)           freelancing

5)           financial cushion

6)           maternity leave

7)           volunteering

8)           reflect

9)           skill refresh

10)       work-life balance

 

Definitions:

A. A period of paid or unpaid leave granted to an employee for study or travel.

B. Offering services for free to benefit another person, group, or cause.

C. Physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress.

D. To make someone feel or look young, healthy, or energetic again.

E. Time off work granted to a mother after the birth of her child.

F. Working on a flexible basis for different companies rather than being employed by one.

G. Updating one's skills to current standards after a period away.

H. To think deeply or carefully about something.

I. Savings set aside to cover expenses during the break.

J. The equilibrium between personal life and career work.

 

GRAMMAR USE ▐ Third Conditional

The third conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the past that did not happen. It expresses a situation that could have occurred differently if the circumstances had been different. In business English, the third conditional is commonly used for reflecting on past events, discussing missed opportunities, or considering alternative outcomes.

Structure:

·                     If + past perfect (condition), would/could/might + have + past participle (result).

Example: If we had invested in technology earlier, we would have gained a competitive advantage.

 

Task 5▐ Complete the sentences using the third conditional structure.

1.                 If the company had launched the product earlier, it __________ (generate) higher sales.

2.                 If we had secured the contract, we __________ (expand) into new markets.

3.                 If the team had received proper training, they __________ (perform) better.

4.                 If the merger had been successful, we __________ (increase) our market share.

5.                 If we had implemented cost-saving measures, we __________ (improve) profitability.

6.                 If the marketing campaign had targeted the right audience, it __________ (result) in higher conversions.

7.                 If the negotiations had gone smoothly, we __________ (finalize) the deal.

8.                 If the project had been managed more efficiently, we __________ (deliver) it on time.

9.                 If the company had invested in research and development, it __________ (innovate) more quickly.

10.            If the decision-makers had communicated effectively, we __________ (avoid) the misunderstanding.

 

VIDEO   Task 6▐ Watch the interview with Katrina Mcghee, Carrer Break and Sabbatical Coach [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zPIm9Hw53iOdgkYjUYSBNQ0Nyj3jJbfm/view?usp=sharing] and answer the following questions.

1.        How did Katrina McGhee’s career break impact her professional life?

2.        According to the video, what is one crucial step to take before going on a career break regarding relationships with colleagues and supervisors?

3.        Describe the importance of disconnecting completely during a career break, as mentioned in the video.

4.        Why does Katrina McGhee recommend a minimum duration of 2 to 3 years for a career break?

5.        In your opinion, why do some individuals hesitate to take a career break?

6.        How does embracing and confidently making the decision to go on a career break contribute to personal growth and development?

 

SPEAKING ACTIVITY

Task 7▐ Role Play. Pair up with a partner. One person plays the role of an employee considering a career break, and the other person plays the role of their manager. Discuss the reasons for taking the break, the potential benefits, and any concerns.

Prompts:

Employee: I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately and am considering taking a career break. Here are some reasons why...

Manager: I understand. Let’s talk about how we can support you during this time and plan for your return.

 

WRITING

Task 8▐ Write a detailed plan for taking a one-year career break.

Include:

·          Your reasons for taking the break

·          Financial planning and budgeting

·          Activities you plan to undertake (e.g., travel, volunteering, studying)

·          How you will stay connected to your industry

·          Strategies for re-entering the workforce

Prompt: In preparation for my career break, I have outlined a comprehensive plan to ensure that I make the most of this time...