career break
Work life pause
A career break is a period when someone voluntarily steps away from professional work, typically to travel, raise children, care for family members, or pursue other interests.
Unlike unemployment, it implies intentional pause rather than job loss: She took a two-year career break after her second child.
Employers increasingly recognize career breaks as legitimate resume gaps.
Break in activity
- sabbaticalExtended leave from work
- leave of absenceAuthorized extended time off
- gap yearPlanned educational hiatus
- intermissionScheduled performance pause
respite · downtime · time out · breather · lull · interlude · recess · pause
Bettering oneself over time
- self-improvementEnhancing oneself deliberately
- upskillingLearning new work abilities
- reskillingLearning new work capabilities
- learningGaining knowledge gradually
education · exploration · skill-building · enrichment · self-discovery · reflection · goal-setting · reinvention
Cessation of activity
- relaxationState of being unwound
- rejuvenationRestoration of youthful vigor
- renewalMaking current again
- restorationReturning something to condition
travel · adventure · leisure · recreation · wellness · mental health · burnout recovery · detox
Systematic fact-finding effort
- studyDeliberate learning effort
- fieldworkResearch conducted on location
- writingRecorded language on surface
- thesisAcademic argument requiring defense
dissertation · fellowship · grant · scholarship · publication · creative project · independent study
Seeking paid employment
- retrainingAcquiring updated skills
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- resume gapUnaccounted employment period
- interviewsFormal evaluative conversations
relocation · freelancing · entrepreneurship · new direction · second act · returnship
hiatus
Break in activity
- sabbaticalExtended leave from work
- leave of absenceAuthorized extended time off
- gap yearPlanned educational hiatus
intermission · respite · downtime · time out · breather · lull · interlude · recess · pause · moratorium
personal development
Bettering oneself over time
- self-improvementEnhancing oneself deliberately
- upskillingLearning new work abilities
- reskillingLearning new work capabilities
learning · education · exploration · skill-building · enrichment · self-discovery · reflection · goal-setting · reinvention · passion project
rest
Cessation of activity
- relaxationState of being unwound
- rejuvenationRestoration of youthful vigor
- renewalMaking current again
restoration · travel · adventure · leisure · recreation · wellness · mental health · burnout recovery · detox · meditation
research
Systematic fact-finding effort
- studyDeliberate learning effort
- fieldworkResearch conducted on location
- writingRecorded language on surface
thesis · dissertation · fellowship · grant · scholarship · publication · creative project · independent study
job search
Seeking paid employment
- retrainingAcquiring updated skills
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- resume gapUnaccounted employment period
interviews · relocation · freelancing · entrepreneurship · new direction · second act · returnship
- breakbreakaway, breakout, breakthrough, breakup, heartbreak
- career movesresignation, promotion, retirement, job search, demotion
- time offvacation, holiday, weekend, rest, day off
- Extended Tripssabbatical, gap year, grand tour, world tour, European tour
- gap yeargap year, backpacking, volunteer abroad, teaching abroad, study abroad
- work leavesick leave, vacation days, maternity leave, paternity leave, medical leave
career breakworking life
Employed years collectively
job retention · workforce participation · full-time work · full-time employment
career breakcareer advancement
Professional upward mobility
career progression · promotion · advance · pursue · climb the ladder
break, career, breaking, breakdown, breakable, breakage, careers, careered, careering