\n\tFar from being mutually exclusive, having ambitions to both progress your career and travel the world can be an attractive combination to potential employers. There are plenty of ways for career-minded globetrotters to satisfy their wanderlust. The key is getting the timing right, and using that time wisely.<\/p>\n
\n\tTraditionally taken before or after university, a gap year is a well-deserved break after a period of intensive study, and a chance to clear your head as you consider your next move.<\/p>\n
\n\tDone constructively, a gap year can help your application stand out in the sea of graduate CVs sent to recruitment agencies. Learn a new skill, volunteer or immerse yourself in a new culture, then emphasize the transferable skills you picked up, such as budgeting, resilience or fluency in another language.<\/p>\n
\n\tIf you\u2019re no longer sure that you\u2019re in the right career, or you want to see the world before applying for a more senior role, a career break could be just the ticket. Use the time to gain the skills needed to progress in your chosen profession, make the switch to a completely new career, or simply to get some clarity on where you want your career to go next.<\/p>\n
\n\tDaisy, a Sponsorship Manager for a tech events company in London, took time out to travel when she left her job in Australia. \u201cWe had a completely different experience travelling in our late twenties to what we would have had at 18. We had more money to do what we wanted, and we had our heads screwed on! Yes, we had boozy beach days and partied, but we also did amazing things like driving a campervan the length of New Zealand and a 15-day trek to Everest Base Camp.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tIf you\u2019re already in a job you love but feel you\u2019d benefit from a break, you could ask for a sabbatical. A sabbatical is an agreed, extended period of paid or unpaid time away from work that allows you return to the same role or a close equivalent. In practise, it\u2019s a chance to get out of rut, do some extensive voluntary work, set up a side hustle or learn new skills \u2013 all of which can be done while travelling \u2013 and return to work re-energised and up-skilled.<\/p>\n
\n\tSabbaticals are a benefit not a right, so check your company policy to see if this is something your employer will consider. If not, speak to HR and see if they\u2019re willing to negotiate \u2013 there\u2019s a first time for everything!<\/p>\n
\n\tThe holy grail for those of us who want to see the world and have successful careers is to find a job that calls for international travel.<\/p>\n
\n\tEmily took advantage of the travel opportunities offered by her conference producer job to maximise her salary and holiday entitlement. Her top tip? \u201cResearch the city and decide before you go what you absolutely want to see, even if it means splitting up from your colleagues for a little while.\u201d She also points out that some companies will allow you to tack on a few days of holiday time to your business trip, and if the return flight is the same price they will still cover the cost. It\u2019s the perfect way to mix work and play.<\/p>\n