Finding Inspiration with Career Break Secrets
You’ve made the decision to take a career break and want to travel the world – but how do you choose where to go, and more importantly, what to do?
Unless you want to visit US water parks or gorge yourself through your travels, forget about turning to the Travel Channel for inspiration.
Enter Career Break Secrets video guides – an inspiring resource to places and activities you want to know more about for your often-dreamed-about career break, sabbatical, or adult gap year. Jeff Jung was inspired to create Career Break Secrets after leaving his corporate job, packing up, selling off his stuff, and heading out to travel the world.
“On my career break, I learned to speak Spanish fluently, learned how to ski for the first time, woke up to the sunrise and sipped wine while watching the sun set in the Galapagos Islands.”
Episodes cover one of three types of popular career break activities:
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- Ways to pick up a new skill like learning a foreign language, sailing or cooking
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- Ways to give back and volunteer whether for social or conservation causes
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- Cool ways to see the country by bike, boat, foot, train or other things we can find
“I first looked at popular places where career breakers tended to go on their trips, or where they aspired to go. I then factored in my own experience in these countries.
We know that career breakers like to engage in three types of activities to make their time count: volunteering, learning something new and seeing the countries in cool ways. So, once I decided on a country, I then looked for activities that fit those categories. For example, we have a cooking class in Spain and a sailing class in New Zealand. We highlight the Camino de Santiago in Spain and a unique ferry ride in Chile. And, we highlight volunteering programs in South Africa and Patagonia.
Most of these were things that I looked for on my own journey. Or, they were things I saw other career breakers and long-term travelers do. Also, before launching Career Break Secrets, I interviewed 45 career breakers from around the world. These were the 3 common categories that kept coming up in my discussions with them. These were the ways that they made their time count on their career break.”
The first season covers South Africa, Spain, New Zealand, Patagonia and Colombia. But no matter where the destination or the activity covered, you will bound to be inspired by the quality of the videos and the opportunities that await you.
You can purchase a season pass and receive all 18 episodes in Season One, or purchase a country pass to receive the 4 episodes that highlight activities in one of the countries featured in Season One.
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
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G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.