Have you ever considered taking a career break? The first time I thought about taking a break, it felt out of reach because, as a society, we place a premium on uninterrupted career paths. I went on to have two and don’t regret a single second. Whether for family, health, or travel, stepping away from the traditional 9-to-5 can be met with skepticism, even though the benefits are real and lasting. Career pauses aren’t “time off”; they’re powerful opportunities for growth, resilience, and gaining a fresh perspective. It’s time to shift the narrative! Let’s recognize career breaks as valuable chapters of personal and professional development.

Why Take a Break?

Taking a break from your career can stem from starting a family, treating or healing from an illness, or traveling. My breaks were for the latter. While it’s a big decision, it often pays off in unexpected ways. Stepping back to raise a family, for example, brings a new depth of patience, empathy, and multitasking that many of us hadn’t imagined and has often been linked to enhanced leadership skills. Healing from illness requires prioritizing your health, also a way to build resilience and reconnect with yourself. And if you’re traveling, the perspective gained from experiencing new cultures and challenges can fuel creativity and adaptability, valuable traits in any career.

These breaks aren’t simply pauses — they’re chances to develop skills, gather fresh ideas, and reflect on what matters most. When approached intentionally, they often lead to a stronger, more balanced return to the workforce. Embracing career breaks as periods of growth can shift how we approach our professional lives and allow us to bring our most authentic selves to whatever comes next.

Ready to dig a little deeper?

Raising a Family: Prioritizing Parenthood

Taking a career break to focus on motherhood (or fatherhood!) often carries a stigma, as if it’s hitting “pause” on professional growth. Raising a family builds resilience, empathy, adaptability, and multitasking skills that go far beyond any job description. These experiences aren’t setbacks — they’re valuable personal and professional growth sources that shape us into even stronger leaders.

For me, time management became second nature, and finding creative solutions to sleepless nights and endless to-do lists (not to mention caring for a tiny little human) deepened my empathy, which is a quality that is invaluable in managing teams and understanding clients’ needs.

In conversations with my network, I’ve heard many inspiring stories from women about taking career breaks, especially to stay home with their families — a decision often judged unfairly. One of my favorites comes from Danielle Moon, Founder of Women in Power. Danielle chose to step away to raise her family, later returning to her career at Microsoft. She shared her perspective on the bravery this role requires and the importance of reframing the narrative around it. Here’s a snippet of her experience.

Taking time off to be a stay at home mom has had a negative connotation for far too long. Let’s change the way we talk about women choosing to be a stay at home mom. Let’s start celebrating how brave of a choice it is. Also let’s recognize that not everyone will thrive in this role.

Healing from Illness: Self-Care and Recovery

In 2008, after returning from time abroad, I started feeling a bit off and decided to get some routine tests done. I already knew I had PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease), but this time, my results showed my kidney function was declining, leading me to a specialist. To keep it brief, after a year with my amazing care team, I was told I needed a transplant. At the time, I was balancing a career and being a new mom, with no plans for a break. Luckily, a friend stepped forward as my donor, and within months, we were approved. I worked until the week before, even hosting my son’s first birthday the day before surgery. Nothing was stopping me!

The transplant was a success. We both went home the day after, and the gratitude I felt was beyond words. But recovery was tough, and I took six months off to heal and process it all, marking my second career break. I learned quickly to lean on family and friends and express gratitude wherever I could.

While I felt physically back to normal in just a couple of months, the emotional side took longer. Taking 30 pills a day, dealing with stitches, endless tests, and not being able to lift my baby felt overwhelming. But that period taught me resilience. It was like project management in my own life. I mastered prioritizing, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and finding creative ways to connect with my child. I came out of it knowing that big challenges are best tackled one step at a time — and that giving up is never the answer.

Traveling: Gaining New Perspectives

Travel is one of the best ways to grow while reconnecting with yourself. Let’s go back to 2006 and my first career break. This time, my goal was to return to Argentina, work freelance, and spend time in the country where I was born. It wasn’t just about travel but about immersing myself in my heritage and connecting with family as an adult.

Working remotely from another continent wasn’t without its challenges. I learned to work around connectivity issues, juggle time zones, and navigate the lack of a professional community. I engaged with local colleagues and joined expat groups to fill that gap, which became invaluable networks and sounding boards.

This experience taught me adaptability, problem-solving, and how to creatively overcome obstacles, which are skills that have proven essential throughout my career.

The best part of this time in my life? Strengthening bonds with family and friends. We made such deep connections that now, even if we only see each other once a year — or every other year — it feels like no time has passed. Those relationships are timeless.

Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash

Re-entering the Workforce After a Career Break

There are great ways to make the transition smoother and even turn that time off into a strength. Start by reframing the break as a period of growth and highlighting the skills you gained during that time, whether managing a family, healing, or traveling.

When updating your resume or preparing for interviews, position your break positively. Mention specific skills and growth: multitasking, time management, emotional resilience, and problem-solving are invaluable assets in any role. You can even share insights about how the experience shaped your career goals and professional approach.

Tips for Staying Connected During a Break

1. Maintain Your Network: Regularly check in with colleagues, attend virtual events, or join industry groups. These touchpoints keep you in the loop and allow you to stay visible.
2. Stay Current: Allocate time for reading industry news or attending webinars to keep your skills fresh. This shows commitment and makes it easier to transition back with confidence.
3. Document Your Skills: Note the new experiences and skills you gained, whether related to time management or empathy. You’ll be surprised how much applies back to your career.

The good news? Employers are increasingly open to career breaks, especially for personal enrichment. Today’s job market recognizes the value of diverse experiences, making it easier than ever to transition back to work with a fresh perspective and renewed energy.

Embrace the learning curve — it’s worth every moment.

Written by Angi Milano @ Maven Advisory