Searches for ‘career break’ at highest level in fifteen years – here is how to take a gap year in your thirties

Searches for ‘career break’ at highest level in fifteen years – here is how to take a gap year in your thirties

Searches for “career break” have skyrocketed to their highest level in 15 years, according to Google Trends. This surge follows 50% of hiring managers across the globe saying that career breaks are becoming more common, as found by LinkedIn research.

And the world is starting to wake up to the reality that people are travelling at an older age, with the upper age limit for Australia’s working holiday visa rising from 30 to 35, thanks to a recent UK-AUS Free Trade Agreement. 

Yet, widespread representation of a gap year remains 20-person dorm rooms overflowing with wild parties of graduates and school leavers. So, how does one go about travelling as an older adult with completely different priorities and concerns?

To shed some light, Darryl Newby, co-founder of Welcome to Travel, has shared his top tips on how to take a gap year in your thirties. Welcome to Travel is an Australia-based tour company that specialises in supporting working holidaymakers between 18 and 35 taking a gap year in Australia.

Advice On Taking A Gap Year In Your Thirties

1. Taking A Gap Year Will Not Be The End of Your Career

Many people wanting to take a gap year are held back by the fear that it will ruin their career prospects. 

However, 56% of employees find they acquire new skills and improve existing ones during career breaks according to a LinkedIn survey. In fact, 54% of women reported returning to work much better at their job than they were before.

Darryl explains: “Many see career breaks as impossible because of the negative stigma that has traditionally surrounded them. Yet, things have moved on a lot in recent years as the intellectual and psychological benefits of travelling have become more recognised. The negative connotations once associated with career breaks are starting to be replaced by a recognition of how they impact personal growth.”

This year, LinkedIn has even added ‘Career Break’ to their ‘Work History Section’ in order to de-stigmatise and normalise adult gap years.

2. No, It’s Not All 20-Person Dorm Rooms

Sleeping in a 20-person dorm room surrounded by other sweaty, harem-clad travellers is part of the adventure when you’re in your early twenties, not to mention a good option when you’re strapped for cash and looking to meet others your own age. But, when you’re in your thirties, that situation just sounds, well, awful.

“Gap years can be whatever you want them to be. You can opt for a lavish hotel if you want to keep it plush or a rental if you would like your own space. However, it is also important to be aware that most hostels have incredible private rooms and aren’t just full of younger people. 

Darryl explains “While many host a diverse range of people of different age ranges, a few have age limits for their guests. Yet, this just makes it easier for you to avoid the ones that are solely filled with younger people. Just because you stay at a place for one night does not mean that you’re stuck there for the rest of your trip, you can just try another until you find one that is right for you.”

3. How To Stop Worrying About Facing Judgment

It can be difficult to come out and say that you’re choosing to do something that is so commonly associated with younger generations. 

“Many worry about what friends, co-workers and even family will say after announcing intentions to take a gap year. It is also common to have concerns that you will feel like the oldest one in the room when you’re out there. 

“Yet, most people, especially the ones that matter, will instead find it inspiring and be happy that you are setting off on an incredible adventure. It is important not to let what others think and your insecurities hold you back from taking an amazing opportunity for yourself,” says Darryl.

4. Having The Maturity To Not Bow To Peer Pressure 

“In our thirties, we tend to have more social maturity and this enables us to resist any peer pressure that may come with doing the ‘done thing’ or visiting the ‘it place’. There are typical backpacker routes all over the world that are definitely well-trodden so this heightened maturity will allow you to discover lesser-known, hidden gems.” 

While increasing in popularity, mature gap years have a long way to go before becoming as commonplace as post-university or school travel. Yet, diverging from social norms in this way frees you of peer pressure to plan and do things in the standard way. 

The social maturity that most have in their thirties will liberate you. It will allow you to make your own route and carve a completely unique adventure while equipped with the confidence to be content with doing your own thing.

“Seeing the well-beaten (yet beautiful) track of the East Coast of Australia is an undeniably incredible experience. Yet, you can come up with your own route that will also take you to less-visited areas of the country, places that don’t normally fit into the ‘gap year mould’ that sees younger travellers often go off the advice of friends.

“This means that, as well as visiting iconic destinations, you are also at the liberty to think outside of the box and explore more under-the-radar areas such as the outback or the West Coast,” says Darry.

5. Go Out Of Your Way To Socialise With Likeminded Adults

“Whether it means opting for a gastro pub instead of the nightclub or a boujee cocktail bar rather than a beach party, you will find like-minded adults who are just as excited to be travelling as you are. Just follow your interests to find people you have things in common with and are likely to click with. We often find on our tours that we have travellers in their mid-thirties finding friendships with people in their early twenties.”

Just because you’re a more, mature, traveller, it doesn’t mean you have to travel alone or miss out on all of the fun. Career breaks are becoming more commonplace and you will be sure to find fellow mature travellers whilst you’re out there.

6. Keep an Open Mind

If you do find friends and build strong relationships during your travels, be open to where they might take you – even if this means reworking the itinerary. 

“Connecting with people in a bucket list location you have always wanted to visit is an experience that doesn’t come around every day! Whether it was the music, the high ratings or the gourmet cuisine, you were both independently drawn to your meeting place, meaning you might just be on the same page about a lot of things too. 

Darryl adds, “To truly get all you can from the experience you should take every opportunity that comes your way, whether that means accompanying new friends on a trip to the Whitsundays or ditching your plans to skirt around the country in a rickety campervan, don’t be afraid to go off-piste and get spontaneous.”

7. Take Advantage Of Having Disposable Income

“What many people don’t realise is the huge amount of freedom and opportunity that comes from travelling at an older age. Your savings spare you a whole lot of money stress while professional skills make it easier for you to find work while you’re out there if things do happen to get a little tough. And most importantly, you don’t have to be wary of doing everything on a tight budget.”

Unlike school leavers and graduates, mature travellers tend to be more financially secure. This means you can really make the most of each and every location you visit without having to miss out on experiences for the sake of your bank account.

Darryl concludes, “fewer financial burdens empower you to be able to take advantage of the opportunities around you and so, stay present and open to all of the possibilities that arise during your trip.”

Final words of advice from Darryl: “While gap years can feel like a younger person’s game, there are so many advantages to going travelling when you’re older. From more disposable income enabling you to squeeze the most out of destinations to emotional maturity and having a greater grasp of who you are and what you’re interested in.”

“Although there has been a stigma around career breaks in the past, huge strides have been taken in recent years that show this negative perception is changing. For one, LinkedIn, the biggest professional platform, invites you to add your career break to your work history instead of leaving it as a gap in the CV. In doing so, they represent it as a valid and productive way of spending time rather than something to hide and feel guilty towards.”

Find more advice on travelling in your 30s here >

https://welcometo.travel/travelling-in-your-30s/