My Career Break: Rejoice, Recharge, Rejoin

Last weekend, I ran my first Half Marathon. To prepare for this race, I had been training for five months. Many in the running community will agree that there are good timings and bad timings in your runs, but there are never bad runs—the only bad runs are the ones that didn’t happen.

Likewise, there may be “better” timing for a career break, but the break itself is never bad. It can only be seen negatively in hindsight if we don’t make the most of the situation. Career breaks can happen for many reasons —some are due to family or personal circumstances, while others are prompted by unexpected organizational restructuring. The most crucial step is assessing your financial situation. Everyone has unique commitments and lifestyles, and understanding your finances can significantly reduce stress and help you plan your break more effectively. From my experience, it’s wise to have a financial buffer because the job search may take longer than anticipated when you're ready to return to the workforce.

A month ago, I transitioned back to work after taking a career break and below are just some of my experiences over the past year. As a project manager, I love planning and break complex tasks into smaller and more manageable tasks. For me, I see it as three key stages: rejoicing in newfound freedom, recharging with new knowledge and connections, and finally preparing myself to re-joining the workforce.

"Rejoice"

At the start of your break, you'll experience a sense of freedom. For the first time, you won't have a fixed routine or schedule. From the moment we began school, we've adhered to strict timetables of semesters, classes, passing examinations and progressing to the next grade. The same pattern continues when we started working, constantly grinding through projects, targets, and chasing our dream roles. There are endless deliverables and deadlines, and sometimes it felt we are almost chasing shadows. 

Take this time to enjoy the lazy Monday, Tuesday... or a Wednesday (champagne) brunch which is much better than one over the weekend, spending a Thursday afternoon at a café is just as relaxing as one watches the world go by. Enjoy yourself over the weekend as your mind is free from Monday's schedule or deadlines.

Personally, I used this opportunity not only to reconnect with family and friends but more importantly to reconnect with myself. Without the daily rush and chase, there is plenty of time to reflect. One thing I stand by is everything happens for a reason and to never create self-doubt.

"Recharge"

While you are rejoicing in newfound freedom, there is plenty of time to recharge yourself professionally and personally. On the professional side, you can pick up a new skill or revisit an old one. Enrol in formal courses, learn by doing and making mistakes, or volunteer to share your experiences with the community. You don’t have to pack a 40-hour “work” week, but dedicating 10-15 hours per week to professional enrichment can be valuable.

On the personal front, options abound—go on that long-overdue road trip, start a new hobby, or invest more time in an existing one. Read that book which had been gathering dust on your shelf or even start a TikTok account to explore content creation.

I wish I had been more disciplined in my "recharge" phase, but I focused a lot on rejoicing and rejoining. Still, I made meaningful connections through networking sessions, attended formal courses, and had fun developing an AI bot using various tools. This helped me better understand the world of generative AI and appreciate the low-code/no-code space.

One of my highlights was volunteering and being a guest speaker when a group of Chinese undergraduates visited Singapore, and I shared my leadership journey with them. Unfortunately, the books are still collecting dust, but I travelled, crossed off a few bucket-list items, and last but not least, I went from barely able to complete a 5KM run to finishing a half marathon, and discovered an inner chef in me!

"Rejoin"

When you are ready to rejoin the workforce, there are a few things to take note of. Unless you have a special skillset or unique expertise, your job hunt may take longer than expected. Most of us can be overly optimistic in our job search, but with the current economic situation, patience is key. This is precisely why recharging with new knowledge and networking can be beneficial. Avoid spending the entire day scrolling through job search websites or messaging recruiters. Take breaks, continue to rejoice, and recharge while you job search. Consider exploring opportunities you may not have previously thought about.

I experienced my fair share of ups and downs in my job search. More than once, I felt my skills and experience aligned perfectly with a role, only to be met with silence or rejection. These moments were frustrating, but they taught me resilience. In times of doubt, it's crucial to hold onto the value of your experiences, the knowledge you've gained, and the contributions you're ready to bring to your next opportunity. During this phase, I also explored opportunities outside of my comfort zone, including opportunities to be part of two exciting startups. While these ventures did not materialize, the discussions kept me engaged, and if I ever decide to start something on my own, these experiences may prove invaluable.

Whenever I met someone who had taken a career break and rejoined the workforce, they always give me the same advice: “While you may be anxious to get back to work, enjoy this break and the freedom of time. You are going to miss it when it is gone.” I am passing this advice to anyone who is on a break or planning on taking a break. As for me, I am going to focus on contributing to my new role and keeping some of the habits I have picked up in the last year—such as continuous learning, keeping up with technology trends, and running. I have registered for the next half marathon with the Mrs. 😊

A career break isn’t just time away from work—it’s an opportunity for growth, reflection, and reinvention. Embrace it fully, and you’ll return not just to work, but as a stronger, more enriched version of yourself.

Enjoy your break!