January 25 2005
The UK's first ever survey into career breaks has found that people are leaving their jobs because they want to see the world and make a difference, rather than because they hate their jobs.
According to the survey, carried out by The Career Break Site, an overwhelming 74% of respondents said they wanted to 'do something different'. Half said they wanted to 'do something more meaningful'. Although a third said they didn't like their jobs, almost half were planning to take a sabbatical or use holiday time for their career break.
The survey found that the typical career breaker is single, female, in her late 20s and earns around £20,000 a year in her professional or managerial job. Almost twice as many potential career breakers come from the IT sector as from any other industry, and the south-east has a disproportionately high number of people planning to make the break.
Lack of money is the biggest worry for people taking career breaks, combined with fears of not being able to find another job. More women than men admitted to being afraid to make the break, and they were also more likely to be unsure of what they would do when they got back. More men than women said they were single or in a casual relationship, and older people were more likely to be in a long-term relationship or married.
Rachel Morgan-Trimmer, founder of The Career Break Site, said “The sabbatical is becoming a more accepted part of a career path. People today want more from their career than they are getting out of their day jobs – to travel, expand their horizons and make a positive difference to other people's lives. More companies are recognising the value of a career break, and are developing more loyal, experienced and well-rounded employees as a result.”
The Career Break Site can be found at www.thecareerbreaksite.com.
The Career Break Site is owned and managed by SugarCat Publishing. www.sugarcat.co.uk
There is a section for journalists on The Career Break Site at www.thecareerbreaksite.com/journalists.php. The summary results of the survey can be found here.
Rachel Morgan-Trimmer can be reached on:
0161 4488846
She can do interviews in person or on the phone. We are also able to source images and case studies if required.