Subscribe in a reader


Whether you are looking to change careers, need a rejuvenating break from your current job or want to reexamine your life goals, a cultural career break can help you find the answers you are looking for.

Usually common amongst people from the UK, Australia and Canada, we aim to make the concept of cultural career breaks acceptable to a demographic that could gain a great deal from taking one: the American with an established career. Whether you call it a sabbatical, a gap year, or a mid-life change, it's all the same to us; you need a break from your job.

Planning such a career break can be quite overwhelming to Americans not used to the concept. From contemplation and preparation to life on the road and returning, we are here to inspire and guide you through the career break process - using our own personal experiences and gathering experiences from other American 'career breakers.

Join us in adding 'career break' to Americas vocabulary!

Featured Career Break Posts

In the Career Break Closet In the Career Break Closet

Are you stuck in the closet – afraid to come out and act like you really want... 

Reflecting: How Travel Reawakens Your Passions Reflecting: How Travel Reawakens Your Passions

Extended travel offers an inspiring break for more than just those stuck in a rut... 

What to Do: Teach English As a Second Language (ESL) What to Do: Teach English As a Second Language (ESL)

There are many ways to travel. Teaching ESL within a local community and really connecting... 

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Have you ever asked ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’ when contemplating... 

How Long-Term Travel Strengthens Relationships How Long-Term Travel Strengthens Relationships

Betsy Talbot of Married with Luggage ponders how long-term travel can strengthen... 

What to Do: Career Break Secrets What to Do: Career Break Secrets

Many career breakers go into their travels with the anticipation of encountering... 

Featured Career Breakers

Reflection: Morgan’s Tale Reflection: Morgan’s Tale

In August of 2008, the Cooney Family set off on their year-long travels. Together... 

Gap Year to Career Breaker Gap Year to Career Breaker

It was 15 years ago this week I was wrapping up my first six-month journey. Here’s... 

One Career Break Inspires Another One Career Break Inspires Another

Brian Setzer experienced his first career break in 2006, taking a leave of absence... 

Trading in Your Backpack for the Briefcase Trading in Your Backpack for the Briefcase

Cindy Peterson (aka The Blonde Wanderer) interviews her husband, Bill, about trading... 

On the Road: Extended Honeymoon On the Road: Extended Honeymoon

Nathan Hale & Carolina Bolado were both facing changes in their careers... 

On the Road: Volunteer Farmstays On the Road: Volunteer Farmstays

After Charles Forsyth received an “offer” to take a voluntary separation from... 

Favorite Career Break Books, Blogs, Gear and Websites

Favorite Blog: Quitter to Winner Favorite Blog: Quitter to Winner

We recently discussed how many career breakers remain in the “career break closet” – keeping their upcoming travel plans from friends, family, and especially colleagues and bosses. Some spend months, if not years, planning their escape, but are afraid to share the news too soon out of fear of losing their jobs – much like Keith & Amy... [Read more of this review]

Favorite Gear: Knopf MapGuides Favorite Gear: Knopf MapGuides

I’ve always been great at directions. During road trips, I always loved playing shotgun while flipping through road maps. But that was before GPS took that job away from me. And even though I was won over by the iPhone for the map feature alone, I’m still a big fan of old school printed maps when exploring a new city. Even before leaving on... [Read more of this review]

Travel Swag Contest! Travel Swag Contest!

WIN a Camenae Travel Clutch! Wednesday I wrote about how you can make career connections while you are traveling on your career break; it just takes a little networking and you may be able to line up your next job after your career break travels are finished! I was able to do this when I was in Sinagpore and met the women who own/run CAMENAE –... [Read more of this review]

Favorite Website: Amateur Traveler Favorite Website: Amateur Traveler

You’ve decided to fulfill your round-the-world travel dreams and are ready to book your ticket – but where to go? Look no further than Amateur Traveler for destination inspiration. The Amateur Traveler is an online travel show that focuses primarily on travel destinations and the best places to travel. According to Chris Christensen, “It... [Read more of this review]

The Lost Girls: Book Review The Lost Girls: Book Review

The Lost Girls: Three Friends. Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World. Or as we like to call it here at Briefcase to Backpack – a career break. One of these Lost Girls shared with us the struggles she faced letting go on the road: Amanda Pressner – Losing Myself on the Road. And now with the release of the book, we are able... [Read more of this review]

Favorite Website: Hostel Dog Favorite Website: Hostel Dog

It’s often a dream come true when you can combine your passion with your work, and that is what Garrett Schemmel has done with his website: Hostel Dog – Travel Inspired Apparel. Garrett graduated with a degree in industrial design but has also been very interested in sketching and graphic design. And then he caught the travel bug, which set... [Read more of this review]