How to Stay Connected when on a Career Break
Are you a young mother who has just been blessed with a new born? Or are you an aspiring careerist who has just taken a leave of absence from work due to some other driving force? Irrespective of the reason behind your enforced career break, bear in mind that women all over the world face a small hurdle in terms of a short pause in their careers due to personal commitments (marriage, child bearing issues, motherhood, etc). Be rest assured though, when on a break, you needn’t worry too much. A few simple tips can help you stay connected even if you are in fact, a little disconnected! Here’s how,
Follow Online Industry News
Do you belong to the finance sector or marketing sphere? Either way, thanks to the digital world we now live in, you can spend a few hours every day or every couple of days reading up about industry relevant news online. A finance professional can read up about what’s happening in the BFSI sector via the Economic Times, Business Standard and so on. Key in your email id and ask to be notified when there is a particular type of news article or update relevant to your sector that crops up. These regular reads will keep you abreast of what’s going on, so when you return to work, it’s like you never really left!
Turn Mentor!
As an example, if you are a finance professional and are on maternity leave, use that time to educate others! It’s hard enough cracking the CA exam. You can mentor a couple of young students aspiring to be CA’s in and around the neighbourhood. This will help you stay connected with your subject matter and keep you motivated while on a break.
It’s never too late to Study
Irrespective of whether you belong to the Hospitality Industry, Finance Industry or Creative Field, there is always something more to learn. If you are on a break because of pregnancy for instance, pursue a course that is not too demanding but one relevant to your scope of work. You can opt for online courses or even a short term diploma class. This will keep your brain active while you learn a thing or two when on a break.
Pick up a new skill
While on a career break, list down your passions! If you’ve always liked writing, try improving and enhancing your communication or writing skills! If you are a software developer, pick up the latest language.This endeavour toward self-improvement will help you grow professionally in other ways too! Arm yourself with your new skill when you are ready to return work with more confidence than before!
